How to Save Cleveland, Non-Reason Version: Force Parking Lot Operators to Provide Bike Racks, Spend Money on Public Showers
Earlier this year, we debuted Reason Saves Cleveland With Drew Carey: How to fix the Mistake on The Lake And Other Once-Great American Cities. Our suggestions were heavy on deregulating the educational and business environments and outsourcing and privatizing city services. Given that Cleveland has lost more than half its population since 1950, it's time, we figure, to try something radically different than the same-old same-old of more taxes, regulation, and Edifice Complex projects that cost a lot and deliver less than zero.
So here's Cleveland's latest punch toward a comeback:
A new city regulation will require many parking lots and garages to install secure bike racks.
The rule, which takes effect June 16, covers facilities that charge for parking. Parking lots and garages will have to provide one bicycle space with an anchored bike rack or locker for every 20 automobile spaces, with a maximum requirement of 24 spots.
The city doesn't require that the bike spaces be free. But the Cleveland Parking Association doesn't know of any facility planning to charge.
Cleveland is also turning an unused office into a bike parking station that will feature showers, lockers and repair services. The $420,000 project should be finished in late August.
Lots of luck with that, fellas. And when it fails to do anything other than cost more than originally expected, please watch this video. And go here for episode guide and individual segments.
