Summary:
Stylized bike hoops on e-park posts make bike parking in downtown more convenient than ever

ANN ARBOR, MI – September 30, 2009 – The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is rolling out a parking system for people rolling in: bicyclists.

New conveniently located bike hoops are being installed in downtown Ann Arbor on the posts of the former parking meter posts that are now serving as parking space numbers for the innovative e-park system that was introduced this summer on Main, Liberty, State, and Maynard Streets.

“Our goal is to continually make downtown more accessible for everyone”, says Susan Pollay, DDA Executive Director. “These bike hoops allow bicyclists to lock their bicycle at popular locations throughout downtown.”

For more than a decade the DDA has demonstrated a strong commitment to increasing the feasibility and accessibility of sustainable transportation options with program funding and capital improvement projects. Bicycling is a great commuting option that provides health benefits, economic savings, and an environmentally friendly form of transportation.

Other DDA Bike-Friendly Initiatives
In addition to this project the DDA undertook three other “bike friendly” initiatives in 2009 alone. A pilot project has placed several in-street bike racks at metered parking spaces that enable up to 15 bicycles to be parking in a single car parking space. When temperatures get colder these bike racks will be removed and stored for the winter and reinstalled next spring.

The DDA placed a commemorative Art Hoop on downtown sidewalks this spring that celebrates three remarkable Ann Arbor arts events: the 50th anniversary of the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, the 100th anniversary of the Ann Arbor Art Center and the grand opening of the University of Michigan Museum of Art addition. The DDA’s Fifth and Division Improvement Project will add bike lanes running the width of downtown on both corridors and is now under construction on Division Street after many years of planning.

E-park is an eco-friendly parking system that features solar powered stations. The system lets you pay for parking from any parking station, or by cell phone. 25 stations were installed by the DDA in the Main and State Street areas this summer, and dozens more are slated for installation in the next couple years.

“The bike hoops make the e-park system even more user friendly”, adds Pollay. “They allow visitors to come downtown without driving, and are placed on former meter posts in high-demand areas adjacent to shops, restaurants, and services.”

ABOUT THE ANN ARBOR DDA
Since 1982, the Ann Arbor DDA has been a catalyst for the revitalization and renewal of downtown Ann Arbor. Funded by parking revenues and taxes generated by new building construction, the DDA operates the public parking system including on-street meters.

A wide variety of alternative transportation programs that support the downtown are also funded by the DDA including the go!pass, bike lockers, Nightride and the getDowntown program.

While promoting economic revitalization and encouraging historic preservation, the DDA has participated in nearly 100 projects, with approximately $60 million reinvested in downtown.