The local bike advocacy group, ClevelandBikes, is promoting the idea of a bike station for Cleveland. Such a station could offer secure bicycle parking, shower/locker facilities for men and women, repair services, and convenient access to public transportation or parks. Expansion plans could include retail space or additional office space to support additional partners.

When cities expand the cycling infrastructure, like a bike station or bike lanes, they experience growth in cycling. A bike station would be an important step for Cleveland, attracting and servicing young, energetic residents and encourage healthy activities. Combining with the parks and trails currently under consideration, cyclists could travel from throughout the state and region, using the bike station prior to enjoying all that the city has to offer.

Resources
Developing a Cleveland Bike Station here
Image gallery of bike stations around the U.S.

Updates

August, 2008—Cleveland has staff working on a design and budget for the bike station in the groundfloor space of a parking garage near E. 4th Street in the Gateway District, says Eric Wobser, a special assistant to Ken Silliman, Mayor Frank Jackson's chief of staff. Wobser is working on a business plan that may include a private operator and selling naming rights to subsidize the cost of bike parking to the public. Bike rental, a small repair shop, valet service and locker space inside are being considered.

“The city’s architects are getting approval for engineering work—figuring out, are there any issues to get utilities to the space?” Wobser says. “As soon as we get that in hand, the city will design the space, in house, this fall and bid it out for construction in the spring of 2009.”