Currently, Montpelier does not have any bicycle shelters or bike lockers. Some bicycle racks are located partly under the overhangs of buildings, but this is rare.
Montpelier Bikes conducted a bicycle parking public opinion survey in the fall of 2008, and identified the following locations as priorities for bicycle shelters and lockers. The survey was conducted online, but also advertised around town with flyers (with a tear-off tab).
Locations for Bicycle Shelters:
- Hunger Mountain Coop (with improved bike racks)
- Main Street Middle School (cover existing racks)
- Montpelier High School (with improved bike racks)
- City Hall / Fitness First (cover existing rack)
- Library (cover existing rack)
- Pool / Recreation Fields (with improved bike rack)
- Department of Labor & Industry (park & bike, commuter bus)
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Here's an example bicycle shelter from Olympia, Washington, modeled by DPW director Michael Mucha. (Yes, they converted a car-parking space! Now, that is political will.)
Bicycle shelters provide extra protection from the weather, but do not increase security over a basic bike rack.
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Locations for Bicycle Lockers:
- Department of Labor & Industry (park & ride, commuter bus stop)
- Greyhound Bus Station* Note: since the survey, the bus station has closed. Bicycle lockers will be kept in mind for future bus connections.
Please note that the Amtrak station is located in the Town of Berlin. For purposes of this project, we are currently concentrating on projects within the City limits.
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This bicycle locker is located along the Burlington waterfront.
Bicycle lockers provide both weather protection and extra security.
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The above wish list can be used in applying for grant funds, or working directly with the above organizations to improve bicycle parking. The Montpelier Planning Commission approved this list, and the concept of adding bicycle shelters, in January 2009.
Toward a Bicycle Shelter at Hunger Mountain Coop
Your input needed - please read on...
The Montpelier Bikes bicycle parking survey identified the Coop as the top priority location for a bicycle shelter. Moreover, Hunger Mountain Coop's bicycle racks are due for an upgrade. The Coop has tended to move the bicycle racks around their property, sometimes placing the rack in inconvenient locations for bicycles laden with groceries.
Over the winter of 2008-09, Montpelier Bikes began working with Hunger
Mountain Coop to improve their bicycle parking. Over the late
winter/early spring, Montpelier Bikes met with Hunger Mountain Coop
managers to present information on good bicycle rack design, and to
discuss the importance of a bicycle shelter at the Coop. Here's the synopsis that we presented.
At that time,
Hunger Mountain Coop was planning to add a compost/seedling sales
facility - concrete pad and tent - in the spring of 2009. After the
discussion with Montpelier Bikes, several architectural plans were
drawn up, combining the compost / seedling and bicycle shelters. One concept plan from Tom Good Architect appears on this page.
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However, timing to
seedling / compost season was too tight! In late April, the Coop
decided to take a step back from construction in 2009, and instead to
plan for construction next spring. At this writing (May 2009), the
Coop's plans are still in flux, with a bicycle shelter added to the
potential wish list for an area with limited space.
One definite improvement - this summer,
Hunger Mountain Coop will purchase a better bicycle rack. Montpelier
Bikes wlll work with the Coop to determine the best place for the
bicycle rack, given space constraints.
Would you like to see Hunger Mountain Coop construct a bicycle shelter?
The Coop needs to hear from members in support of this project! Here are some ways to add your support for a bicycle shelter:
- Fill out a comment card next time you are at the Coop,
- Communicate with the Coop's managers - Kari Bradley or Rowen Hurley,
- Contact any member of the Coop Council.
If you are a member of the Coop, please do mention that you are!
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