Aug 4, 2015 - PORTSMOUTH, NH â The City's Parking and Traffic Safety ... In other presentations to the Committee, Ms.
CITY OF PORTSMOUTH
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 4, 2015
City bike corral to be installed on Market Street PORTSMOUTH, NH – The City’s Parking and Traffic Safety Committee has approved the installation of an additional bike corral for the downtown area. The newest bike corral will be placed in a parking spot on Market Street next to the entrance to the Hanover Street public parking lot and immediately in front of the Portsmouth Gaslight. Like the bike corrals currently installed at the corner of Daniel Street and Penhallow Street, the new bike corral will have capacity for 10 to 12 bikes and includes a surface mount to the pavement so it can be removed during the winter months to avoid conflicts with snow clearing. Bike corrals are designed to provide consolidated short-term parking for bicycles on the street in or near locations typically used for motor vehicle parking. Bicycle corrals are particularly suited for commercial corridors and where sidewalks are narrow and heavily used by pedestrians and/or outdoor seating or other street furniture. The use of bicycle corrals (on-street bicycle parking) is consistent with the City’s Bike Friendly Community Policy, which supports providing an inviting environment for all modes of transportation. This spring, Portsmouth was designated a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. In a presentation to the City’s Parking and Traffic Safety Committee, Juliet Walker, the City’s Transportation Planner, indicated that City staff selected this location because of its visibility and its proximity to a high concentration of businesses that already generate significant bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Other locations along Market Street and Pleasant Street were also considered, but the Parking and Traffic Safety Committee members agreed that this location was more suitable due to its location near the intersection and away from the more congested areas in Market Square.
In other presentations to the Committee, Ms. Walker referenced research showing that providing on-street bicycle parking in downtown locations can have significant economic benefits, noting that “replacing one parking space provides room for 10 or more bicycles which can translate into 10 or more additional customers for the businesses in that area.” Allowing bicycle parking on the street will also help keep pedestrian walkways clear while encouraging continued bicycle use. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Juliet Walker, Transportation Planner at 610-7296 or
[email protected].
