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 such as 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:
- 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.
Recipients of 2019 program included: City of Monterey, Salinas Regional Sports Authority, Monterey County Fair & Events Center, and Active Seniors Inc. in Salinas.
During the 2019 grant cycle, $8,417.37 was expended on bicycle facilities. Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital applied to the 2019 program, but decided to reapply for their bicycle racks at a later cycle of the grant program.
Transitioning to a on-going, rolling grant program would allow staff to continually accept applications until the budget is expended over the course of each year. Maintaining a on-going grant program would create flexibility in the application process and broaden the timeline for organizations to apply to the program.
Under the on-going program, the budget would reset at the beginning of each fiscal year (July 1st through June 30th), dependent upon the adopted Agency budget. Staff will continue to bring a recommendation to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Advisory Committee for approval of applications. A copy of the revised guidelines and application are included as a web attachment to this report.