Downtown Kalamazoo continues to add bike friendly perks

First downtown Kalamazoo added covered bike racks to make getting around town on two wheels more attractive. Now it's offering bike lockers.

The lockers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A locker is to be used only for storing a bicycle, bicycle accessories and equipment.

The lockers are found at the Transportation Center on Kalamazoo Avenue, the Arcadia Parking Ramp on Eleanor Street, and the Epic Ramp at the corner of John and Lovell Streets. Another locker will be available at Water Street Parking Lot No. 9 when improvements to the lot are completed.

Rentals are $10 a month, $50 for the seasonal rate that covers April 1 through Oct. 31, and $100 for a year. All rentals include a $50 refundable key deposit. Rental renewals are due 30 days before the rental agreement expires.

Central City Parking will handle the rentals. Those seeking a locker should contact Central City Parking at 269-342-6383 to determine if a bike locker is available. Names will be placed on a waiting list if there is no bike locker available.

Coordinator of Planning and Development for Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. Brian Persky says the bike lockers are being offered to encourage a more sustainable and green form of transportation. It is hoped they will attract bicyclists who live beyond the downtown who might otherwise drive to to work.

The purchase of the lockers was made available through a $17,544 grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation.

"This project wouldn't have been possible without the help of Steve Stepek at the Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study and Andrea Augustine at the City of Kalamazoo," Persky says. "It was a great partnership all the way through from beginning to end."

Earlier this year DKI announced it was offering two indoor, covered bike racks, located inside the Kalamazoo Mall Ramp, at the South Street entrance and inside the Arcadia Ramp, off of Eleanor and a covered outdoor rack, courtyard of Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Sources: Vicky A. Kettner and Brian Persky, Downtown Kalamazoo Inc.