Studies have shown that one of the primary reasons that individuals do not travel via bicycle is the lack of a secure place to store their vehicle. The Bicycle Secure Program addresses this need by funding bicycle racks and bicycle shelters. Over time, the program has been expanded to include other facilities to support active transportation: bicycle repair stations and skateboard racks. The program serves the Agency’s public mandate to achieve a coordinated and balanced regional transportation system by promoting active transportation. By providing secure bicycle parking, businesses can attract more bicycle-riding patrons, employers can support the growing number of people who choose to bicycle to work, and schools can support students who bike to school - all of which supports local economic, health, and environmental goals.
Specific program goals include:
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Increasing the amount of secure bicycle parking in Monterey County
Giving high priority to locations without existing bicycle parking
- Ensuring equitable distribution of bicycle parking facilities across Monterey County
- Providing bicycle parking in convenient locations to encourage bicycling.
- Supporting artistic design of facilities that increase visibility of bicycle parking and maintain the character of a special area or district.
In the last two cycles of the Bicycle Secure Program, the Agency provided new parking facilities that can accommodate approximately 330 bicycles and approximately 140 skateboards. Applications have come from schools, businesses, and non-profits from across Monterey County, including King City, Greenfield, Salinas, CSUMB, and Monterey. Additionally, the Agency has been able to further support bicycling by providing five bicycle repair stations across the county.
At the November 2, 2016 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting, the committee recommended amending the program’s Guidelines to allow for applications by Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) for bicycle racks with space for three bicycles on their buses. The change to the guidelines is in recognition of the need to support cyclists who also travel by bus. However, due to the high cost of these racks, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee recommended priority be given to applications seeking fixed location racks, lockers, and repair stations. The revised program guidelines to allow for applications by MST for bicycle racks with space for three bicycles on their buses.
For the 2017 grant cycle, the proposed schedule calls for an initial application period from December 7, 2016 to February 2, 2017. Staff will review all application materials and submit a recommendation to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Advisory Committee at its March 1, 2017, and then submit a recommendation to the Agency Board for approval at its meeting on March 22, 2017 meeting. Following Board approval, the equipment will be distributed and installed between April and June, 2017.
A copy of the revised guidelines and application are included as a Web Attachment to this report. Board members are encouraged to distribute applications for bicycle racks and lockers to interested property owners.