Letter to the Editor: Cyclists Will Stop and Shop If You Just Add Bicycle Parking
The chairman of the city's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee begs City Council to include bicycle parking as part of the Union Street Corridor Plan.
Dear Editor,
I am writing about the Union Street Corridor Plan, which will be discussed by City Council later this week. This plan has the full support of the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, of which I am chair. I remain concerned, however, that an important element of the proposed plan may not be implemented.
We have a situation where city consultants count hundreds of bicycles on Union Street every hour of the day and yet, for some reason, there is very little bicycle parking to be found. I myself lead groups of bike-riders through there often, but we rarely begin, end or pause our rides at the foot of King Street, where the shops are. As a result, our snack, coffee-shop and post-ride luncheon dollars go elsewhere. Counts by the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee verify that an estimated 1 million potential customers roll down Union Street each year, but we as a community have failed to invite them to stop and to shop.
I have talked to the head of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce about this, but received little interest. I have talked to the Waterfront Commission about this, and was astounded when they stated that bike parking corrals "sound ugly." They then specifically recommended to City Council that proposed bike parking corrals in the Union Street Corridor be excluded from the foot of King Street. Given that Alexandria has a large tourist-driven economy, I find this astounding and frustrating. I feel as if I am trying to give money to someone who doesn't know what money is.
I cannot believe that it has come to this, but it has. I am now going to beg. My bicycle-riding friends and I would sincerely like to come to Old Town and give you our money. We would do this if we had somewhere inviting to park. By somewhere inviting, I mean out on the street—not hidden behind a building where bicycle thieves can work undisturbed. Alexandria city staff and consultants understand this and have proposed adding these facilities. We are now asking the City Council to please specify that bike parking be located near the shops at the foot of King Street, where it belongs. Thank you for your time and attention.
Jonathan Krall
Chair
Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Jonathan Krall
6:00 pm on Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Here is an update for those who are interested: On December 17, the City Council passed the Union Street Plan without specifying, as the Waterfront Commission requested, that bike parking be disallowed at the foot of King Street. Presumably this means the parking will be installed in the near-term phase of the plan (within 1-3 years, I think).
Allen Muchnick
1:13 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
Establishing bike parking corrals should be a no brainer, since 10 or more bikes can park within one auto parking space. Increasing retail visits and tax revenue while reducing vehicular congestion and the demand for scarce auto parking is a winning outcome for everyone.
Lee Hernly
1:32 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
As narrow as the sidewalks are on the foot of King Street along Union Street, bike parking should be forced upon Wales Alley or disallowed altogether. With outdoor seating, there is usually only 1 way traffic on the sidewalks at any given time.
Washington area cyclist
12:43 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
I have not purchased anything in Alexandria since Mayor Euille stated about five years ago that he wanted the city's cops to ticket cyclists who go through red lights in the City, even when no cars or pedestrians are present. He said nothing about ticketing jaywalkers. This was very bicycle-unfriendly.
I understand that the Mayor's action was based on comments originating in Old Town, especially on Union Street.
I encourage every cyclist to also boycott Alexandria's retail establishments. Cycle in Alexandria, but don't buy anything there. Avoid Alexandria's bike shops, as they failed to protest the Mayor's action.
Edmund Lewis
9:07 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
Share the road but don't follow traffic laws? It is this mentality which gives cyclists a bad name and gets some hurt along the way (along with drivers and pedestrians).
Robert
12:53 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
Parking at the bottom of King has always been scarce- both for vehicles and for bikes. Your sanctimonious demand to be accommodated is off putting. Deal with it.
Robert
1:28 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
"This was very bicycle-unfriendly."
How rich. It's 'unfriendly' to enforce the law?! This is exactly the attitude that makes motorist and pedestrian loathe cyclists. Let the sanctimony continue.
Inka
4:55 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
I heartily suport ticketing of cylcists and motorists alike for poor driving. Running red lights would at the top of the list. For both. Ever since a cyclist mowed down an elderly friend on the bike path, breaking her collarbone, I haven't viewed cyclists in quite the same light. Oh, and the speeding cyclist didn't stop to see if she was okay. Hit and run cyclist? As bad as behind the wheel. And this is not an isolated example of one bad apple, I see them all the time. Bring on the ticket book for ALL miscreants! 'Nuf said.