In a good move, and one I'd like to see the DC area emulate, Seattle is requiring that some new, large buildings downtown provide showers for bicycle commuters.
"We will do more with this legislation than change the look of downtown," Steinbrueck said. "We're going to change the feel of downtown and some of the dynamics of downtown."
I think this is good common sense government. The city can't afford to build and maintain bike stations all over town (and the one DC is planning to build won't have showers in it) so it makes sense that new buildings should provide basic bike commuting needs the same way they provide automobile access and parking. Lack of showers, after all, is one of the more common reasons why people don't bike commute. Buildings are already required to provide bicycle parking under certain circumstances, though many of these rules are not followed. I can't remember ever seeing a sign telling me where to park my bike.
Bicycle parking spaces shall be provided for office, retail and service uses, except for retail.
The number of bicycle parking spaces provided shall be at least equal to five percent (5%) of the number of automobile parking spaces required.
Bicycle facilities shall have convenient access from the building or structure and street or other bicycle right-of-way, be clean, secure and well lit and shall be located within a building or structure, either on the ground floor, basement, or first cellar level.
Signs shall be posted stating where bicycle parking spaces are located in each building or structure where bicycle parking spaces are required. The signs shall be located in a prominent place at each entrance to the building or structure. The sign shall have a white background, with black lettering which is no more than two inches (2") in height.
I think a follow up to Donald Shoup's The High Cost of Free Parking could be The High Cost of Inadequate Bicycle Parking.
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