A couple of years ago – I managed to ride by bike through the month of October. I put fenders on my bike, got breathable long underwear, arm warmers, and was able to commute and ride my bike to work until the snow came.
If you are a bike commuter or just want to bike downtown and be able to park your bike downtown for a game or event, you are in luck. In August, the new Bike Rack, the new bike commuting and service center opened. The center is located at the corner of E.4th and High St. in downtown Cleveland is worth riding to (and parking at.)
The center has both outdoor and indoor bike parking, shower and changing facilities, lockers, a bike repair shop, and also rentals. To get access to all the facilities, you can get a monthly pass for $25, or pay $5 per day. The monthly pass lets you enter the facility 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to park your bike. You do need to bring your own lock for your bike, but not for the day-use lockers.
I made a trip down to The Bike Rack this week – and talked to John Sirignano, Operations Manager, about how people have been using the center since it opened. The main use of the center has been for bike commuters, who usually bike to work, shower up a the center, park the bike, and then go to work. Some people will ride home, but many will put the bike on the rapid and take the bus home. Currently there is not a direct bus line to the center, but it is rumored that a shuttle will be added to go down 4th Street.
In Spring, the center plans to have some programming and partner with the Ohio City Bike Coop to provide some workshops and events.
The center is a partnership of the City of Cleveland and The Downtown Cleveland Alliance to create a more bike friendly environment in downtown Cleveland.
The Bike Rack directly supports the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 Initiative by promoting alternative forms of transportation and was funded from Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants. The long range goal is to build more facilities in different parts of the city, and to support bike commuting in Cleveland.
Other uses of the center are to provide bike storage for residents living in small living units downtown. Currently on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, the center hosts spinning – and people bring their stationary bike trainers – and do a spinning video together.
Ready to bike downtown? Check the air in your tires then check out The Bike Rack’s website to get ready.
Links:
Download – Bike To Work Commuter Booklet