Downtown BID Streetscape to include more bike racks

The downtown BID is working with the city to implement a physical improvement program of the downtown streetscape.

The private sector invested more than $13 million in new Downtown sidewalks, lighting, and street furniture, while the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) invested another $11 million.

According to the Hill Rag the improvements include more bike racks. Here are the downtown streetscape regulations (from 2000) with regard to bike racks.

1108.12 Location of bike racks in public space shall be coordinated with and approved by Traffic Safety Branch, Bureau of Traffic Services.

1108.13 Bike racks shall meet the following criteria:

(a) The bike rack shall be an inverted U type. The bike rack should support the frame of the bike at two locations; allow at least one wheel along the frame to be locked to the rack; and allow cyclist the option of using either the popular U-lock or a cable with padlock;
(b) Bike racks shall be 2-3/8" O.D. (outside diameter), galvanized, schedule 40 steel pipe, ASTM 53A, powder coated, gloss black, measuring 30" across and 36" high above grade;
(c) Bike rack shall have minimum 5ft. clearance from other amenities and street furniture;
(d) Bike rack shall be placed parallel to the curb and 3ft. from the face of curb;
(e) Bike rack shall be placed within the typical 26 feet distance from the end of the Metro Bus Stop Zone;
(f) Bike rack placement shall allow a minimum of ten (10) feet of clearance for pedestrian flow; and
(g) Bike racks shall not be placed in an entrance or loading zone.

I wonder if these regs are a little too limiting. For example, I like the diagonally placed bike racks and I feel like this limits the ability to transform unused parking meter poles into bike parking, but I suspect there is more flexibility than these regulations imply.

Photo by squidpants

Comments

[Steve Davis]

Well, let's hope they don't use any stimulus money and make all those ignorant people magically correct about stimulus money funding "bike racks in DC." :)

We just got two new loop racks in front of my building on L Street courtesy of the Golden Triangle BID. They're great and badly needed. Supposedly, we're getting a new Helix 12-bike rack in the garage soon.