Williams Lake has a strong bike culture, but bike parking in the city is limited.
On Tuesday, the city announced it has expanded its dedication program to include bike racks to encourage cycling as a mode of transportation.
In addition to park benches, trees, planters or waste receptacles, residents can now choose to dedicate a bike rack or bike hoop in order to increase bike parking in the downtown core and other locations within the city to provide safe and convenient places to lock bikes.
Steel racks range in size from three to nine feet, accommodating between five and 11 bicycles. A steel bike hoop can be attached to lamp or sign posts.
“We are seeing more and more riders, yet bike parking in the city is limited,” said Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb.
“Increased bike parking in the downtown core and other locations within the city limits will provide safe and convenient places to lock bikes. This will allow these individuals to walk around, increasing foot traffic and local business.”
The city instigated the program, then the Williams Lake Central Business Improvement Area hopped on board, and are inviting individuals, businesses, service club and other organizations to sponsor a bike rack.
Once dedicated, municipal services at the city will work with individuals to determine a practical location on city property, install the rack and install a heavy duty decal to commemorate the sponsor. Costs vary depending on the rack or the hoop, and the installation location ranging from roughly $350 for a hoop, or up to $1,607 for an 11-bike rack, not including installation.
The city said reasons for sponsoring a bike rack may include honouring the memory of an individual, celebrating the accomplishments of an individual or community organization, or simply improving the community of Williams Lake by providing an important asset.
The program launched Tuesday with three inaugural bike hoops dedicated by the WLCBIA installed on Oliver Street near the Open Book and New World Café/Evening at Ray’s and on Third Avenue near the Bean Counter.
A brochure explaining the bike rack program is available online at http://williamslake.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1208.
Residents are asked to call Angela Cail at 250-398-7665 to take part in the dedication program.