City provides racks to encourage bicyclists

The City of St Augustine reported to Historic City News that five downtown locations are being fitted with new bicycle parking racks; each new bike parking location accommodates 10-14 bikes and is available for public use – free of charge.

These initial five locations were among those recommended by the bike plan which included suggestions for both new and replacement installations. The Historic Architectural Review Board approved the design of the parking racks as a component of the new Historic Downtown Streetscape Guidelines.

“Our goal is to serve the growing number of current bicyclists, and to encourage more bicycling — especially during the city’s many special events,” Paul Williamson, director of public affairs told local reporters. “The city hopes that the new parking locations will encourage a greater use of bicycles by those attending events in the downtown’s historic area.”

The new parking racks are not the old familiar “tire-holder” models, which do not support the bicycle properly, but rather are the “post-and-ring” design recommended by the 2011 St Augustine Bike Plan compiled by the North Florida TPO and Sprinkle Consulting.

“This improved style of bicycle rack supports the bicycle in two places,” Williamson pointed out. “This allows both the frame and the wheel to be secured to reduce theft and is adaptable to either front or back-in parking.”

The first five new parking areas are all south of the Visitor Information Center and north of the Plaza de la Constitution:

• Two on Cordova Street:

• • One adjacent to the Grace Methodist Church parking lot
• • One adjacent to the Tolomato parking lot

• One in the Toques Place parking lot
• One on Treasury Street near its intersection with Spanish Street
• One soon to be completed on Spanish Street near Hypolita Street

The city went to added expense to give bicyclists what they asked for in proper bike parking structures; and, in return, they hope residents and visitors will use the free parking areas and will refrain from parking on private property, or along the right-of-way, or using street signs and other fixtures which often block sidewalks.