New Meters - No Free Time - Nickels and Dimes Allowed

[Dick Powis]

Could we have spent this money better on some bike racks

Yeah right. Lakewood has no biking community. What a waste of money.

(kidding)

[Tim Liston]

Since bike parking and parking meters have both been mentioned in this thread....

My understanding is that all the current parking meters in town will eventually be replaced with the new digital meters. I also understand that “Phase Oneâ€Â

[Jim O'Bryan]

We hope the city will at least try some of these. A dozen or so, placed where bikes park now (Phoenix, Spin, etc.) could bring more people to our commercial district. When cyclists, Madison/Detroit retailers and the media see these bike posts, it could easily provide the impetus for a substantially larger deployment. We have not seen these posts used anywhere else in Northeast Ohio. The effectiveness and uniqueness of these bike posts would substantially enhance Lakewood's image among area cyclists, and ultimately the Lakewood brand....

Tim

Aren't these like the ones the Observer wanted to sponsor last year?

I have the machinist in my office right now. How many do you guys want?

Is Mainstreet and LCPI in on this?


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[Tim Liston]

Perhaps the biggest frustration about promoting cycling is that cyclists use "public spaces" that are controlled by the city. Without the city's involvement, approval, oversight, etc. nothing can happen. You and I alone can't put bike posts in. If there is something the Observer can do to coax the city into moving ahead, your help is greatly appreciated. The city needs bike parking a lot more than it needs hanging flower baskets, at least in my opinion. And bike racks don't die off every year and don't need to be watered.

Also, we're certainly not married to the supplier whose proposal we forwarded. But we are very leery of cast iron. Toronto installed cast iron bike loops but found that they can be defeated. I would recommend you ask your machinist to put in a proposal. If the city goes forward with meter conversions in some fashion, I'm sure it'll get a look. We just want the city to understand the costs and benefits of using the soon-to-be-unused meter posts into bike parking, and present some options and ideas.

Honestly, I believe the city understands the desirability of enhanced bike parking, and we may be getting close to some action. It's a matter of money and maybe that last little push.

As regards Mainstreet/LCPI, we have called the need for bike parking to their attention, but again, it's the city that makes the call. We have had representatives at all Mainstreet public meetings to promote bike parking as part of the re-design of the Mainstreet district. I tried to get a smidgen of their $75,000 grant for a pilot program but have been told that money is strictly for planning and nothing else. Remember that Madison needs bike parking too.

Thanks Jim....

[Jim O'Bryan]

Tim

He quoted me a price of $50 - $75 each. Then we came up with an even better deisign on our own I think. Call me let me run it past you.

I was ready to order 200 while he was here. 1/3rd was for Madison.
MAMA Madison Avene Merchants Association is ready to pull the trigger. Again less talk, less fluf 99% action.

The city will not be a problem, everyone I have ever spoken with loves the idea, ther is just no money in the budget as I told you last year when this was started.

Waiting for others. Drives me nuts.

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[Jeff Endress]

Is it time to enlist the vigilantes?

Jeff

[Tim Liston]

Jim I’ll call in a bit. I’m all ears....

In the meantime here’s a couple more pix, these of the Toronto bike circles. Maybe they’ll help.




These are NOT converted meter posts. They are from-scratch bike posts. In fact, Toronto generally won’t put them in places where there are parking meters.

And like I said, the Toronto folks have learned that they can be defeated. Honestly I'm not sure how much of an issue that is. They would be quite conspicuous.

http://www.torontoist.com/archives/2006 ... ike_po.php

FYI a couple months ago I posted to the listserv of the national bike advocacy coalition, wondering if anybody had experience converting meter posts to bike parking, and I got zero responses.

As you would say, FWIW....

[Jim O'Bryan]

Tim

I am familiar what we are talking about. I think we came up with something even better. The ones you showed we roughed out for about $100 a piece with a logo or name in it.

We also figured the ones you shown earlier he thought he could get those made for about $85 a piece in an order of 500.

What we came up with is pretty damn cool. Way different than this, cheaper and better. Install in minutes, can't be broken or stolen. I feel a patent coming on.


FWIW


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[Bryan Schwegler]

It would honestly be so great to get some kind of bike racks in more places. The most difficult part I find when riding my bike around Lakewood is finding a good place to lock up my bike.

[Joe Whisman]

I love bike racks and free time on meters. It defense of the city, it does take a lot of labor hours to wind the mechanical meters. The electronic ones require less maintenance. Over time this can add up to big money.

[Justine Cooper]

If you need the money for them, why not have businesses sponsor them with their name on it and pay for that racK?

I love free meters too when I am running in somewhere but people do abuse them. One instance is Lakewood STaffing, a new business on Madison. The manager allowed an employee, who also lives above, to run out every fifteen minutes for free parking, even though there was a free lot in the back. They also put all their cig. butts on the sidewalk but that is another thread. People should not be allowed by their businesses to abuse the meters like this and take away from customers of other businesses. Oh yea how is Calani doing with that?

[Jim O'Bryan]

Free minutes remain, cut to 15 minutes.

By pressing the silver button, that looks like part of the meter, you can get a free 15 minutes.


FWIW


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