For some time I have been trying to find a way to help reduce the
discrepancy between the bike parking requirements in MGO 28.11 and the state of
bike parking in most of Madison. I think this DMV discussion, and a potential
Isthmus article are good things for exposing the problem to public scrutiny.
You can view these ordinances online at :
http://www.ci.madison.wi.us
Click on the "Madison General Ordinances" link, then navigate to section 28.11,
and search the document for the word "bicycle".
The big problem to tackle here is the lack of awareness of the ordinances,
especially by the people most likely to benefit from the bicycle parking: the
bicyclists. If bicyclists don't complain to Signs and Zoning about parking
problems, Signs and Zoning are not going to do anything. When I called about
my employer's bike parking, the Zoning inspector told me I was the only
bicyclist to ever call about bike parking. Most of the time, he gets calls
from property owners complaining about having to install bike parking.
Yesterday I had some success in one of my goals - I talked to Craig
Heywood, the Bicycle Recovery Unit person for the City of Madison. As many of
you might know, illegally parked bicycles typically get a warning notice
attached to them 48 hours before the bike is to be removed. I suggested that a
note about "If you feel this location has inadequate bicycle parking facilities
call ..." might be added to this notice - and Craig seemed supportive of making
this change. This would help create an important feedback loop between the
bicyclists trying to park in problem areas, and the Zoning Inspector.
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