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| BCM Press Release: Parking Installed in Downtown Augusta |
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PRESS RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Jeffrey Miller, Executive Director, 207-623-4511
For Immediate Release: May 5, 2003
Parking Installed in Downtown Augusta
Augusta, Maine -- Several new black metal stands have sprouted on the sidewalks of downtown Augusta this week. The 20 bike racks, made possible by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, the Augusta Parking District, Public Works and several downtown businesses, will provide secure, orderly bike parking helping to prevent bikes from obstructing sidewalks or leaning against glass store and office fronts.
The added convenience of secure bike parking will also encourage bicycle commuters and rail trail users to shop downtown.
The bike racks are located along the length of Water Street and in the Waterfront Park. Each has been specifically set near the curb to be in line with trees, signs, and light poles to minimize conflict with pedestrian traffic, car parking, and snowplowing.
"Bike parking is an important step in making our communities more bicycle-friendly," said Jeffrey Miller, Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. "We want to invite all the trail users and area bicyclists to come downtown and shop. We also want to encourage downtown employees to have a secure place to park their bike if they choose to bike to work and or use the new trail during their lunch break."
The bike racks were created in a simple design to minimize impact on their surroundings and cut down on vandalism. The "Bike Docks" are heavy-duty steal pipes in the shape of an inverted U. Two bikes can be leaned up against the rack (one on each side) and allow the bicyclists to lock their frame and wheel to the solid fixture.
One of the bike racks to be installed is in the shape of a bike. Up to 4 bikes can be locked to this utilitarian sculpture. "The 'Bike bike rack' is fun and helps communicate to the public what these new inverted U racks are," says Miller.
The bike parking was paid for by a $976 grant from The Maine Department of Transportation. An additional $600 was paid by the Augusta Parking District with another $650 coming from local businesses who pitched into an "Adopt-a-Rack Fund."
"Adopt - A - Rack" donors providing matching funds:
Water Street Silver Works
Pat Michaud Photography
Lauria's by the River
Capitol Computers
Auclair Cycle & Ski
Runyon Kersteen Ouellette
Muskie School Staff
Major Donors ($100 or more)
Belgrade Insurance
Edward Gall Real Estate
World Gym & Racquet Club
Key Plaza Holdings
Augusta Parking District
In Kind Donations
Bicycle Coalition of Maine
City of Augusta
T-Buck Construction
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Better Bicycling in Maine Since 1992
Bicycle Coalition of Maine, P.O. Box 5275, Augusta, Maine 04332-5275
(207) 623-4511, BCM@BikeMaine.org
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