Montpelier Bikes has been working to create a plan for bicycle parking downtown, to provide additional bicycle parking right along the sidewalks.  Montpelier Bikes surveyed current bicycle rack locations, and conducted a bicycle parking public opinion survey in the fall of 2008.

From this survey, we compiled a list of potential downtown locations. 

After hearing many concerns about adding additional "stuff" to the sidewalks, Montpelier Bikes decided to ask the city to install "Ring Racks" on selected parking meters.  The ring racks make the parking meter into better bike parking:

• Most bicyclists in Montpelier use cable locks (80% according to our survey).  Cable locks don't really secure a bicycle to a parking meter, alone, but they do with a ring rack.
• The ring rack provides a place to lean the bicycle against the rack.  If you lean a bicycle against a post, it will often fall over.  The ring provides two points of contact to the bicycle frame, and supports the bike.

We considered a couple of "homegrown" racks, but have decided to recommend that the City purchase a commercial rack that promises a good mix of low price and good durability.  

Hopefully the racks will be installed in 2009.