Nick,

Perfect! Thanks! May I copy this response to the Bike Board? It shows we're getting traction.

Frank

At 11:37 AM 7/12/2007, you wrote:

Mr. Shriver, As requested by Frank Gmeindl of the Morgantown Municipal Bike Board I'm forwarding to you a copy of recommendations that were prepared the city of Morgantown for bike lockers to be considered for downtown bike parking (they were not presented). You may find this information helpful when Morgantown High School grounds are redeveloped. I have much more extensive information available. Please contact me if you would like to discuss it further, I'd be happy to meet with you at your convenience.

As you may know, there is currently an unsheltered bike rack in front of the school that sees little use. I've discussed with the vice principal, the reasons that students wouldn't want to leave any bike in an unsheltered and unsecure location. I believe that weather exposure is at the top of this list.

Frank also indicated that it's been decided to move bike parking across the street from the school. I would urge that this decision be reconsidered, and instead that the car spaces be relocated so bikes can be next to the school. Besides the symbolic effect of putting bikes closer than cars, a cross-street location for bike parking would mean that students have to walk across traffic to get to school after parking their bikes. It would make more sense to replace 1 or 2 car-parking spaces next to the building with bike parking (10 or more bikes can typically fit in a single car space) and put the car spaces across the street.

In fact, it's been shown at many other facilities that if you provide a sheltered, secure and attractive bike parking facility the number of people driving will be reduced enough to reduce parking lot size.

Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance providing information or advice.

Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin (and Morgantown Municipal Bike Board) Morgantown, WV 304-267-0213 304-599-1791 I understand that