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Mobile's first on-street bike racks installed

Published: Tuesday, November 22, 2011, 6:32 AM Updated: Tuesday, November 22, 2011, 7:43 AM

By Robert McClendon, Press-Register
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Two of Mobile's first ever on-street parking facilities for bicycles are seen in this photo taken Monday Nov. 21, 2011 on the north side of Bienville Square in Mobile, Ala. (Press-Register/G.M. Andrews)

MOBILE, Alabama -- The first on-street parking facility for bicycles in Mobile’s modern era has been installed downtown, and the city is already eyeing space for more, said Jennifer White, the city’s traffic engineer.

The new racks reflect an increase in the number of people cycling in Mobile, White said.

As the cyclists participated in the creation of the Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization’s bicycle and pedestrian plan, they raised the issue of a lack of cycling infrastructure, including a place to park on the street, White said.

When the city recently restriped the parking spaces on Bienville Square, it had one stub-space that was not quite large enough for an extra car, White said, so the city set it aside for a potential bike parking space.

The city did not have money set aside in its budget for the racks, so it partnered with the Downtown Mobile Alliance, which selected the design and supplied the money, White said.

Each of the two inverted-U shaped racks cost $400, said Carol Hunter, a spokeswoman for the Alliance. “If they are as popular as we hope, and people use them, we’d like to add more,” she said.

“I think it’s a positive move in the right direction,” said Niklas Hallberg, a member of Mobilians on Bikes, a group of cycling enthusiasts who advocate for cycling as a means of transportation.

Hallberg said that the city may also need to shore up the ones it installed on Bienville Square last week, as the concrete seemed to be

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sadandmad November 22, 2011 at 6:47AM

Good deal Mobile.

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Fox November 22, 2011 at 7:20AM

My problem is not finding someplace to secure my trike, rather it's the fear of vandalism if left unattended (Google "Greenspeed Trike" and you'll see how it draws attention). Hooligans and thugs are what needs addressing.

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kindablondie November 22, 2011 at 7:39AM

Is a GPS a consideration? Isn't there an app to track your property if stolen? Doesn't it suck we have to think like this just to be able to keep our property?!! I agree with your post Fox.

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myalcondo November 22, 2011 at 7:29AM

Positive step. Now we need to encourage bikers by thinking about bike lanes, educating the public about bike safety (drivers).

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Ted Chan of Alison Viejo, rides his bicycle up to a northbound Metrolink train wrapped with a bicycle graphic at the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Station early Thursday morning. Chan was on his way to Fullerton Community College. Metrolink launched the system's new bike cars into service for weekday trains on Thursday.

New Metrolink cars add bike capacity

The 12 added cars can hold up to 18 bikes each on the lower level.

By ALEJANDRA MOLINA / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

As more commuters opt to use their bicycles to get to work, Metrolink officials say a new set of weekday cars with added bike storage will help with the increasing demand.

On Thursday, Metrolink and Orange County Transportation Authority officials unveiled the new bicycle cars at the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station.

Article Tab: Alice Rogan of OCTA waits her turn to load her bike on the northbound Metrolink train wrapped with a bicycle graphic at the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Station early Thursday morning. Metrolink launched the system's new bike cars into service for weekday trains on Thursday.

Alice Rogan of OCTA waits her turn to load her bike on the northbound Metrolink train wrapped with a bicycle graphic at the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Station early Thursday morning. Metrolink launched the system's new bike cars into service for weekday trains on Thursday.

MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

MORE PHOTOS »

With the added storage, Metrolink spokeswoman Sherita Coffelt said, it will be easier for commuters to, "ride to the station, take the train, and use their bicycle to complete their commute to their job or wherever they're going."

The 12 added cars – which can hold up to 18 bikes on the lower level - will now be on 34 trains throughout the five-county system during the week. Bicycles are allowed on all train cars, but only hold up to three bikes.

Coffelt said it cost about $20,000 to modify each of the 12 passenger cars to allow for the bike capacity. The funds came from the Metrolink operational budget, Coffelt said.

Metrolink crews removed 30 seats [...]

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011