YOUR Input Needed for Bike Corrals in the Gaslamp and East Village

February 22, 2013

By Bruce Shank

Gaslamp, Downtown San Diego (Courtesy of Bruce Shank) — Gaslamp, Downtown San Diego (Courtesy of wikipedia)

On Tuesday, January 30^th, I had the chance to walk around the downtown areas of Gaslamp & East Village with city representatives, business associations, neighborhood planning council members, and other bike advocates discussing what makes for a good location for bike corrals and bike racks.

This current project is in the preliminary phase. Approximately $200,000 from parking district money is available to plan and install up 6 bike corrals and many smaller bike racks throughout the downtown area.

While in this phase your input is very helpful and desired. Please, if you live downtown, commute downtown, or just spend time on your bike in downtown – take the time to let us know where YOU would like to see a corral or bike racks placed. This is your time to get involved and be a part of the process. To provide your input, please add a comment to this post or send me an email (bruce@bikesd.org).

For my part, I submitted general design ideas, as well as specific locations.

Design Considerations:

Proper Locking Technique (courtesy of The Chicago Bike Program)

I can understand the city’s priorities being cost and aesthetics, but of equal importance is what makes sense for cyclists, keeps them as safe as possible, and enables bike commuting without having to skirt traffic laws.

When the time comes to choose racks we should make sure their design enables as much locking security as possible. A good rack will allow for a U-lock to loop through the frame the rack and preferable a wheel or two. Racks that just lock a wheel are not secure and if they aren’t secure they won’t be used. I loved a suggestion made that signage be added instructing folks with the most secure and safe ways to park & lock their bike. These signs could be integrated with directions and markers to bike routes and neighborhoods from the location of the corral.

Parklet with Bike Parking on Valenica St, San Francisco (courtesy of Aaron Bialick)

I think the city is missing out on a chance to show some color and class in our neighborhoods by only going with bland monochromatic bike corrals and racks that don’t stand out. Don’t be afraid of a little color and pizzazz. Bike corrals and racks that look much cooler and stand out more would draw more attention and entice more people to use them.

Some concerns have been raised about bike corrals being ‘in the way’ and presenting a nuisance during car-free public events. On the contrary: A car-free event would mean a reduction in street parking and might entice some to travel by bike; a corral would afford the chance to park in style. Similar the point made above, creative and attractive design of bike corrals will be an amenity to any neighborhood. When conceived as a combination parklet/corral, as seen in the picture at left, it will contribute valuable park space to gorgeous weather/park-deficient San Diego. For more parklet and parklet/corral inspiration, check out San Francisco’s many Pavement to Parks projects.

Image Courtesy of Bruce Shank — 8th & G (Image Courtesy of Google Maps, Street View)

Locations:

8^th & G in my opinion makes one of the best locations for a bike corral. The corral would be on the right hand side of the road where most cyclists would already be. It is at the beginning of an intersection making for a safer egress and is linked to other bike friendly routes.

(Courtesy of Bruce Shank) — North Side of G & 8th (Image Courtesy of Google Maps, Street View)

The red area on the north side of G along 8^th also make a good location as parked cars would protect the corral and cyclists who leave wouldn’t have to contend with higher speed traffic already in the travel lane. They would be able to start off with the light.

Bruce_image3 — Loading Area on G Street (Image Courtesy of Google Maps, Street View)

There is a large red area and yellow loading area (at right) that could be used for the corral without taking away a paid parking spot from the city. Zanzibar is just on the other end of the block and makes for an equally good location for bike racks, especially for the cyclist who wants to lock up and keep an eye on his/her bike.

Bruce_image4 — Ace Hardware, 6th Street, between G and Market (Image Courtesy of Google Maps, Street View)

Ace Hardware spoke out about wanting a corral in front of their store. I feel that is one of the worst places for a corral and even racks. Ace is on the left side of the street so cyclists who would be on the right hand side would need to go across the lanes of traffic to get there. Then once they leave they are in the middle of the block and would exit with cars travelling at speed.

Lastly, I was giddy with excitement over the prospect of the area around J & 13^th being used for corrals & parklets. This is such an amazing area given the location, schools, library, and its status as an up and coming neighborhood. This opportunity should not be missed!

For more about this project, read our previous post on Civic San Diego’s initiatives.