Bike parking expands in the Heights

When the City of Cleveland Heights wanted to increase bicycle parking capacity, it wondered where to place more bike racks. 

To help the city gather input about this, the Heights Bicycle Coalition surveyed its members and other local cyclists about their bike parking needs.

Thirty cyclists responded and gave suggestions about locations throughout the Heights. Severance Town Center was most often cited as an place that needs bike racks. One respondent noted that the Severance ring road includes a bike lane, but that bike racks are rare. 

Other sites where bike parking was suggested are: all area Starbucks, the Cedar Fairmount business district, The Heights Rockefeller Building, Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Park, Forest Hill Park, Cedar Center and Wendy’s on Cedar Road. Locations in downtown Cleveland and Shaker Heights were also suggested.

Respondents mentioned the importance of bike rack design. A rack that provides two points of contact with the bike frame provides more stability and enables the lock to secure both wheels and the bike frame to the rack. 

Bike racks near retail businesses provide short-term parking, but long-term parking for bike commuters is also needed. RTA has installed covered parking at several Rapid stops for cyclists who combine cycling and public transit. These covered structures protect bikes from rain and other elements, preventing weather damage and prolonging the life of the bicycles.

Bike parking capacity in the Heights is increasing and, with the help of the survey, racks will be placed where cyclists noted a need. The City of Cleveland Heights, the Cedar Fairmount Business District and other business districts are all installing more bike racks. The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District is improving bike parking for both students and staff.

Improved bicycle parking is one aspect of a bikeifriendly community. “Convenient, easily used, and secure bicycle parking encourages people to replace some of their car trips with bicycle trips,” according to the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals.

Heights Bicycle Coalition

The Heights Bicycle Coalition was formed in the spring of 2010 and works to encourage citizens to ride their bicycles for fun, fitness and transportation.

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Volume 5, Issue 8, Posted 6:18 PM, 08.06.2012