City Receives Funding For New Bike Racks & Corrals

A grant in the amount of $14,473.50 was approved and accepted at last night's Finance Committee meeting from MAPC’s Regional Bike Parking Program. This money will be used to fund additional bike racks and corrals around the city.

The Memorandum reads...

To the Honorable Board:

The City of Somerville was awarded a $14,473.50 grant by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council Regional Bike Parking Program for the fabrication of new bicycle accommodations to be installed citywide.

The City of Somerville first participated in MAPC’s Regional Bike Parking Program in 2007 and purchased 50 custom-made bike racks featuring the iconic Powder House, designed in-house by Fred Lund. In 2010, the City installed another 80. Despite this, demand for additional racks remains high as evidenced by the continued parking on posts and other non-designated bike parking spaces, as well as by public acclaim for the racks when they are installed. By purchasing and installing new racks, the City will continue to endorse active, healthy transportation options.

In accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53A, which requires a vote of the Board of Aldermen for the expenditure of grants or gifts from the federal government and from a charitable foundation, private corporation, or an individual, or from the Commonwealth, a county or a municipality or agency thereof, I request approval to expend this grant.

The Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development will now go on to work with Ward Alderman and the Bike Committee to determine the best places to install the bike racks (50 total)-which will hold 2-3 bikes and corrals (2-3 total)-which hold up to 14 bikes.

This funding comes just in time, as grant money was also approved to expand Walk/Ride Day. A $205,854 CLAMP Grant from MassDOT for the Health Dept.'s Transportation Demand Management project was also approved and accepted at last night's meeting.