VTrans to Provide Bike Racks to Municipalities

Posted on 06/05/2012 by VLCT Communications

 

Because the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) Bicycle and Pedestrian program has identified bicycle parking as a common need among Vermont communities, VTrans will purchase bike racks from a manufacturer and have them shipped directly to successful applicants, who will be responsible for their installation.

 

To be eligible to receive a bike rack, applicants must be a Vermont municipality. Towns may seek bike racks for public buildings such as town offices, libraries, parks, etc. on municipally owned property or road right of way only. VTrans will not provide any funding to construct any receiving surface, foundations, etc. for the bike racks. Applicants must provide a map or sketch indicating the bicycle parking location and must also certify that the bicycle parking is on publicly controlled property. Download the application here.

 

Direct any questions to Jon Kaplan, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager (jon.kaplan@state.vt.us or 802-828-0059). Applications are due by Friday, June 29, 2012.

 

Some frequengtly asked questions:

 

Do the racks have to be on municipally “owned” property?
The racks must be on property that is open to and accessible by the public. Some examples would be libraries that may be owned by a non-profit or board of trustees. We will not consider applications for racks on privately owned property such as a business or retail establishment.

 

Can we apply for racks at more than one location?
Yes, applications for multiple locations are acceptable. For each location, indicate how many bikes need to be accommodated and include a map of each location. Also, prioritize the locations in the event that we don’t have adequate funding to provide racks at all the locations.

 

Are different rack types available?
No. VTrans has a contract with a vendor for a specific type of rack. The racks are inverted Us that are provided in multi-element units of 2 through 7 elements joined by rails at the bottom. They are freestanding, but may be secured to the ground. (See attached installation instructions.)

 

We applied for bike racks at our municipal park and ride, do we have to apply again?
If you are one of the communities that applied for municipal park and ride racks in the fall of 2011, those racks are in the process of being ordered and shipped, so no additional application is necessary. If you have needs for racks at other municipal locations, use this application to apply.

 

Can we apply for racks for schools?
The VTrans Safe Routes to School program is going to be issuing a solicitation for racks for schools that are eligible under that program (elementary and middle schools). If you have a stand-alone high school that needs racks, that location would be eligible under this application.

 

Will applications from designated downtowns be given priority?
Yes. Per state statute, we will give priority consideration to applications for eligible racks in designated downtowns.