Transit| Published on October 16, 2008 12:24 am

62 New Bike Racks Installed in Past Three Months

By: Walker


Thanks in part to the massive feedback and suggestions submitted right here on Columbus Underground, the City of Columbus has managed to install 62 new bike racks in 24 locations around the city between July 24th and October 2nd.

New locations include The South Campus Gateway, The Columbus Athletic Club, Studio 35, Cafe Corner, Cafe Apropos, The Surly Girl Saloon, Bodega, Claddah Irish Pub, Cornerstone Coffee, The One Columbus Building, Katzinger’s Delicatessen, The Short North White Castle, B1 Bike Shop, Metro Gym, Voluneers of America, Barcelona, The Columbus Museum of Art, Four Points Real Estate, Town Street Properties, Urban Spirits Cafe, The COTA stop at Henderson & High, the corner of 9th and Indianola Avenues, Zettler Hardware, and at the corner of Cherry & Lazelle.

There are also 11 more racks pending at locations near Cafe Bourbon Street, The Chamber of Commerce, Cafe Brioso, and The Convention Center.

More suggestions are still needed though, as the City continues this program into 2009. In order to make the process as smooth as possible, some additional information is being requested with suggestions:

1. Business name and exact street address

2. Property owner and/or biz managers name and contact info

The city can install in the Right of Way in front of businesses and sometimes dense housing (such as large apartment or condo buildings), but helping commercial areas thrive is their top priority for the time being.

You can post your suggestions directly here in the comments of this thread, or use 311 via phone or web to file a request. Thanks for all of the great suggestions! Keep them coming!

Related Stories:

- Need Suggestions for Urban Bike Rack Locations

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Author: Walker Walker is the founder of ColumbusUnderground.com and co-founder of TheMetropreneur.com along with his wife and business partner Anne Evans. Walker has turned local media from a hobby into a full time career over the past decade and serves on multiple boards and committees throughout the community.

36 Comments

  • Columbusite October 25, 2008 4:47 pm

    Seems like it’s just been there w/o question for years. Especially if the business is located in a strip mall. It’s probably because it was all done so long ago.

  • Cyclist October 25, 2008 4:53 pm

    Columbusite wrote

    Businesses have lost out on my money which they could’ve had if there were decent parking for bikes. I’m sure I’m not the only one that has looked for a place to lock up, couldn’t find it and left for someplace else.

    +1 Yep. It happens regularly.

  • Columbusite October 27, 2008 4:26 pm

    This is what I’m talking about.

    In seeking the business, Snap Fitness owners are asking for two variances from the city to allow the move into the village — to allow a mixed-use property that would house the fitness center of the first floor and two apartments above the location, and to reduce the city mandated number of parking spots required from 12 to zero.

    I see no mandated number of bike racks required or scooter spots. And 12 parking spots for such a small building? Ridiculous. The city needs to drop that requirement post-haste. This is a city and “urban renewal” has no place here. Kudos to Snap Fitness for being more pro-city than the city itself.

  • pixlfarmer October 27, 2008 4:37 pm

    I don’t know if the city has authority here, but Crew stadium needs some bike rack love. Bigtime.

    One Black & Gold Boulevard

    Columbus, Ohio 43211

    614-447-CREW

  • Cyclist October 27, 2008 6:32 pm

    pixlfarmer wrote I don’t know if the city has authority here, but Crew stadium needs some bike rack love. Bigtime.

    One Black & Gold Boulevard

    Columbus, Ohio 43211

    614-447-CREW

    +100

  • Cyclist October 27, 2008 6:35 pm

    Columbusite wrote This is what I’m talking about.

    In seeking the business, Snap Fitness owners are asking for two variances from the city to allow the move into the village — to allow a mixed-use property that would house the fitness center of the first floor and two apartments above the location, and to reduce the city mandated number of parking spots required from 12 to zero.

    I see no mandated number of bike racks required or scooter spots. And 12 parking spots for such a small building? Ridiculous. The city needs to drop that requirement post-haste. This is a city and “urban renewal” has no place here. Kudos to Snap Fitness for being more pro-city than the city itself.

    +1 I wonder how many German Village NIMBYS realize that their neighborhood has the high value, visual appeal, history, and other positive qualities exactly BECAUSE OF the lack of parking and past, present, and potential mixed-use buildings?

  • lifeontwowheels October 27, 2008 7:06 pm

    Just got back from kroger and love the rack. And it was being used! Walked in the only bike on the rack and walked out with 4 more there.

  • Coremodels October 27, 2008 7:22 pm

    Cyclist wrote
    Columbusite wrote This is what I’m talking about.

    In seeking the business, Snap Fitness owners are asking for two variances from the city to allow the move into the village — to allow a mixed-use property that would house the fitness center of the first floor and two apartments above the location, and to reduce the city mandated number of parking spots required from 12 to zero.

    I see no mandated number of bike racks required or scooter spots. And 12 parking spots for such a small building? Ridiculous. The city needs to drop that requirement post-haste. This is a city and “urban renewal” has no place here. Kudos to Snap Fitness for being more pro-city than the city itself.

    +1 I wonder how many German Village NIMBYS realize that their neighborhood has the high value, visual appeal, history, and other positive qualities exactly BECAUSE OF the lack of parking and past, present, and potential mixed-use buildings?

    I thought it was because of the lack of hipsters.

  • joev October 27, 2008 8:45 pm

    Most succesful businesses will make it easy for patrons to walk, bike or drive to their stores. I think lots of people in German Village are scared of change – but that comes with living in a historic neighborhood, where the past is so sacrosanct. That’s why we bought a block outside of the borders. People complained that MoJoe would cause parking problems and trash problems (it hasn’t.) Residents and especially the GVS should lighten up on this stuff. The Village is certainly better off with a storefront full rather than empty.

  • Cyclist October 27, 2008 10:39 pm

    Coremodels wrote
    Cyclist wrote
    Columbusite wrote This is what I’m talking about.

    In seeking the business, Snap Fitness owners are asking for two variances from the city to allow the move into the village — to allow a mixed-use property that would house the fitness center of the first floor and two apartments above the location, and to reduce the city mandated number of parking spots required from 12 to zero.

    I see no mandated number of bike racks required or scooter spots. And 12 parking spots for such a small building? Ridiculous. The city needs to drop that requirement post-haste. This is a city and “urban renewal” has no place here. Kudos to Snap Fitness for being more pro-city than the city itself.

    +1 I wonder how many German Village NIMBYS realize that their neighborhood has the high value, visual appeal, history, and other positive qualities exactly BECAUSE OF the lack of parking and past, present, and potential mixed-use buildings?

    I thought it was because of the lack of hipsters.

    Maybe that too. I don’t know any hipsters living in German Village. I don’t know anybody living in German Village actually except Drew, but he might be around that long Lord willing.

  • lifeontwowheels October 27, 2008 10:49 pm

    I don’t know the ins and outs of cost, but how effective would it be to retrofit parking meters to accommodate bikes? Weld on two hoops to the poll to potentially fit two bikes to a meter?

  • Cyclist October 27, 2008 11:03 pm

    lifeontwowheels wrote I don’t know the ins and outs of cost, but how effective would it be to retrofit parking meters to accommodate bikes? Weld on two hoops to the poll to potentially fit two bikes to a meter?

    Or replace meters with bike racks and just have a single kiosk that spits out tickets to place on your car.

  • lifeontwowheels October 27, 2008 11:27 pm

    Cyclist wrote
    lifeontwowheels wrote I don’t know the ins and outs of cost, but how effective would it be to retrofit parking meters to accommodate bikes? Weld on two hoops to the poll to potentially fit two bikes to a meter?

    Or replace meters with bike racks and just have a single kiosk that spits out tickets to place on your car.

    Or just replace metered spaces with bike parking…

    But yeah, the meters are just sitting there. I usually lock to a meter downtown if my only other choice is a sapling or wheel bender rack. Would probably be more efficient for the city-not to mention the parker possibly being able to pay with plastic. No more loose change dilemmas.

  • desecration November 4, 2008 12:38 am

    What a positive experience this has been. The city has already looked into the request for a bike rack near Rivet and it will be happening. Thanks for making this post, Walker.

  • Walker November 4, 2008 8:49 am

    desecration wrote What a positive experience this has been. The city has already looked into the request for a bike rack near Rivet and it will be happening. Thanks for making this post, Walker.

    No problem! Glad it was so easy for ya! :D

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