[SBC] Re: bike rack program request

[alanjane at highstream.net]

> SBC members:
>
> Please review the attached proposed letter to the Mayor asking for support
> and
> funds for a bike rack program.
> We will discuss at Tuesday's (Jan 16) meeting.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Alan
>
> ==============================================================
> JANUARY 12, 2007
>
> Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone
> City Hall
> Highland Ave.
> Somerville, MA 02133
>
> RE: Bicycle Rack Installation Program
>
> Dear Honorable Mayor Curtatone:
>
> The Somerville Bicycle Committee would like to start off wishing you and your
> administration a Happy New Year and thanking you for your continued support
> of
> bicyclists and bicycling in Somerville.
>
> We would also like to ask for your specific support for a program of
> increasing
> public bicycle parking in Somerville at a very low cost to the City and
> taxpayers. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council has a new program of
> funding
> the purchase of bicycle racks (at discounted prices) for municipalities who
> will install them on public roadways and public property locations. The City
> only needs to pay for shipping, have them installed and then document to the
> MAPC that they are installed. The MAPC then reimburses the City for the
> actual
> cost of the bicycle racks.
>
> A number of years ago, the City had purchased and installed about 30 bicycle
> parking rings around the City. The Somerville Bicycle Committee has prepared
> a
> detailed inventory of these and other existing bicycle parking facilities and
> has identified over 100 specific additional locations in the City where there
> is a need but no provision for bicycle parking.
>
> Therefore, the Somerville Bicycle Committee (SBC) requests that you fund a
> revolving account of $5,000 to purchase and ship bicycle parking racks. We
> also
> request that you direct the DPW to install them as a “normal” DPW activity
> the
> same way that parking meters, benches, street signs, etc., are installed. The
> Somerville Bicycle Committee can select the locations in consultation with
> Traffic and Parking and provide the locations to the DPW. The SBC can then
> document the installation and assist the City administration in applying to
> the
> MAPC for reimbursement. When the reimbursement funds are received, they will
> replenish the fund, allowing us to order more bicycle racks. In the end, this
> amount will be sufficient to purchase at least $25,000 worth of bicycle racks
> at a great benefit to the City. Eventually the fund may become depleted by
> the
> shipping costs. If not, the funds can be returned to the general fund or the
> SBC would request that the remaining funds be used for some other bicycle
> related need in the City.
>
> We look forward to discussing the establishment of this bicycle parking
> program
> with you or your staff and we thank you very much for your support.
>
>
> Respectfully,
>
>
> Alan Moore
> Chairperson
> Somerville Bicycle Committee
>
>
>
>
>
>