Secure parking considered as e-bike popularity grows
Edmontonians are clamouring to become electric-bike users, says Coun. Michael Janz, but they'll need more secure parking to keep their pricey pedals safe.
"We'll need more safe, easy lockup facilities," said the councillor from Ward papastew, who is hosting an e-bike information session geared toward seniors on July 28. "An e-bike is much more expensive. You're much more worried about bike theft. If you don't have a parkade or a clear, visible, solid place to lock it, that's concerning."
That's not to say that no secure parking options exist in the city. Century Park Transit Centre launched its secure bike-storage pilot this year. Bike Edmonton is partnering with the city for a bike valet pilot, not dissimilar to one happening in Calgary, to roll out in August.
"It's light infrastructure. We'll be setting up some fencing, and we have some bike racks that we use for different events and programs across the city," said Bike Edmonton's executive director, Greg Glatz. "We'll bring our bike racks, and then we're hiring staff to provide some light tuneup services and monitor parking."
The bike valet will be located on 102 Avenue between 102 and 103 streets, adjacent to Edmonton City Centre mall. More details are forthcoming, but it will be open Thursdays through Sundays at "busy times," said Glatz.
"They've done this in Calgary, Victoria, etc. You bike up, you hand over your bike — and boom — somebody's watching it, and you know it's safe," Janz, who has a page dedicated to cycling in Edmonton, told Taproot.
It's important when expanding secure parking facilities to design bike racks effectively. Lisa Brown, an avid e-bike user who lives in Oliver, said many existing racks are flawed — including those originally installed at Century Park.
"The bike racks that they use are really terrible design," she told Taproot. "It's not easy to fit most normal bikes in there. If you've got a basket and a (storage) rack on your normal bike, you're not going to be able to park your bike on those bike racks and have two points that you can secure a lock to the frame and wheels."
