City Council adopted a resolution Wednesday to apply for $465,000-worth of Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) grant money, which would fund bicycle parking around town and a green sharrow on Mission Street.
“We intend to place bike racks along both Mission and Fair Oaks in the commercial areas to support bicycling to our business, government centers and activity nodes along Mission and Fair Oaks,” the city's transportation manager Dennis Woods told Patch.
Overall, the plan is to implement three types of bike parking: bike racks, corrals and lockers.
“The bicycle corrals are anticipated to be near activity nodes such as the Gold Line Station/, and ,“ explained Woods. "The idea ... will be to park bikes under protected shelter, which can be expanded..."
If both the bicycle parking and Mission Street green sharrow projects are funded—$205,000 and $260,000 respectively—the city would be expected to match 10 percent or $46,500.
Aesthetic Concerns
It was suggested at Wednesday’s meeting that Mayor Michael Cacciotti and Councilmember Richard Schneider be part of a sub-committee to oversee the implementation of the bike parking.
"I don’t want to get complaints,” said Cacciotti of the potential project.
“This needs to be done the right way,” echoed Councilmember Bob Joe. “There are two different benches on Mission, and it looks awful.”
Woods said that several business owners have requested bike racks, and when/if they are installed, proper thought would be put towards design and placement.
“[The bike rack(s)] will be kept from bus stops or current outdoor dining or any other obstacle that would create a hindrance," said Woods, adding that all designs will be ADA complaint.
The Timeline
The Bicycle Transportation Account is an annual program providing state funds for city and county projects that improve safety and convenience for bicycle commuters.
“[This grant money] is dependent on the State of California approving the 2012/2013 budget and accepting the recommendation for BTA funding from the Caltrans staff,” Woods told Patch.
If approved, the item will be brought back to City Council and the public will have a chance to voice concerns, ideas, etc.
. The plan includes 24 miles of connecting bikeways throughout the city—consisting of pavement markings for added visibility; signage for navigation; bicycle racks and lockers; and safety, education and awareness programs.
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