Bike Racks for Lakewood

[Tim Liston]

I thought I'd take a second and catch us all up......

BikeLakewood (www.bikelakewood.org) has made quite a bit of progress in a short time creating awareness of the need for short-term bike storage (bike racks) in Lakewood. At council meeting last Monday I addressed council and the administration about better biking in Lakewood, including access to bike racks. Dave Shaw, as president of Lakewood Community Progress Inc., followed my comments with a promise of support from LCPI. Mayor George then took the floor and offered his endorsement of the goals of BikeLakewood, including the installation of bike racks. Following Mayor George, Kevin Butler (Ward 1) and Michael Dever (at-large) moved to refer cycling-related issues, including the matter of bike racks, to a Public Works committee for further planning, which motion Council unanimously approved. Our thanks to Kevin Butler, Michael Dever, Dave Shaw and Mayor George.

City officials and civic organizations are very supportive of better biking in Lakewood. For that we should all be thankful. An initial meeting of representatives of Public Works, LCPI and BikeLakewood is already being planned. Funding for racks will be one issue discussed I'm sure. Despite the need and the benefit, funding is not a slam-dunk. Lakewood is on a very tight budget as we all know. I will also provide this document, which is the best summary of bicycle parking in urban areas I have found. We're hoping we can make some progress even this summer still. Have you seem how many cyclists are out and about these days? We deserve safe, convenient parking just like the motorists get.

So there you have it. Please check out the BikeLakewood web site, and PM me if you are sympathetic to our goals. Yes, we have the ball rolling and everyone is very excited. But in the long run, advocating cycling in Lakewood and educating its cyclists and motorists is a big task.

Ride On!

Tim

[Jim O'Bryan]

...Despite the need and the benefit, funding is not a slam-dunk. Lakewood is on a very tight budget as we all know.

Tim

Why even look for grant or city money? We know the city is broke, let's raise the money ourselves, bikers and buisnesses. I know of a couple business that will jump in.

This project was moving pretty quickly until grants and organizations were brought up. Why not have Bike Lakewood purchase the first twenty bike racks. Then everyone will want to jump in and claim the success.

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