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BACKGROUND <br /> Background <br /> A bicycle corral is a group of on-street bike racks installed adjacent to the curb, typically <br /> replacing one car parking space. Corrals can fit a high number of bicycles, typically <br /> accommodating 8-16 bicycles, without impeding pedestrian walkways. They are useful <br /> in areas with narrow sidewalks, outdoor dining, and high levels of pedestrian activity. <br /> Bicycle corrals may increase pedestrian volume and business activity, and stretch a <br /> limited parking supply by encouraging alternate means of travel to commercial centers. <br /> Pilot Project Summary <br /> Last summer, the City Council approved a pilot project which comprised the installation <br /> of a temporary bicycle corral on the south side of West Angela Street (adjacent to <br /> "Peet's Plaza"). Attachment one provides a map with the location of the pilot project. <br /> The bicycle corral remains in place. A temporary parklet, which has since been <br /> removed, was also installed on the north side of West Angela Street (at the corner of <br /> West Angela and Main Streets) across the street from the bicycle corral. As noted, a <br /> discussion of the parklet program will be brought to the City Council for discussion at a <br /> later date. <br /> Staff monitored the bicycle corral throughout the year and found that it was well used by <br /> people of all ages. Some fluctuations in use occurred throughout the year and as might <br /> be expected, there were higher levels of use during summer and during various events <br /> such as the Farmers' Market. The tall bicycle racks were also preferred to the shorter <br /> racks. Through occupancy counts, staff found that during lunchtime hours (i.e., <br /> approximately 12-2 p.m.) the tall bicycle racks were consistently in use. <br /> Bike Corral Survey <br /> In August 2018, staff circulated a survey, soliciting feedback on the existing bicycle <br /> corral and to ask the community about possible future locations of an additional corral <br /> downtown. The survey was distributed via Next Door, Facebook, and other social media <br /> outlets. It received approximately 360 responses and yielded the following results: <br /> • 67-percent of respondents predominately drive downtown, 17-percent bicycle, <br /> and the remainder walk, use a combination of modes, or use other forms of <br /> transportation (e.g., ride sharing); <br /> • 26-percent of respondents have used the existing bicycle corral (95 out of 360 <br /> respondents); <br /> • 80-percent of respondents supported bicycle corrals in the downtown; and <br /> • Out of three potential locations suggested for a new bicycle corral (i.e., Main <br /> Street, Rose Avenue, and St. Mary Street), 34-percent noted Main Street as the <br /> most preferred option (slightly higher than St. Mary Street and Rose Avenue). <br /> Alternative locations were suggested for an additional bicycle corral which include: Del <br /> Valle and Vervais Avenue; Neal Street and Railroad Avenue (by Meadowlark Dairy); <br /> Firehouse Arts Center, in the Railroad right-of-way; at Dean's Café, the Rose Hotel, <br /> Library, Vic's All Star, Bank of America, Peters Street, and at Veteran's Memorial Hall. <br /> Page 2 of 5 <br />