Tacoma Bike Share Open House

The City of Tacoma is hosting a public open house on February 25th to discuss the prospects of introducing a public bike share system to Tacoma. The City launched an investigative study to explore the viability of bringing a bike share program to Tacoma. The bike share program would be put in place to increase the use of bikes for short-range travel, decrease the use of single occupancy vehicles traveling to Tacoma, and shift to more sustainable transpiration options. 

The open house will teach those who are interested in the types of bike share systems that will work for Tacoma. There will also be an opportunity to provide feedback on the viability, station locations, and the types of technology being proposed. 

The public open house will be held on February 25th, 5:00-7:00pm at 

The Evergreen State College in the Main Hall. 

For additional information you can contact 

Diane Wiatr at dwiatr@cityoftacoma.org or at 253-591-5380.

Read more on the City's work and plans on the bike share program here.

Rad more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/politics-government/article26287957.html#storylink=cpy

Prairie Line Trail Extension

Recently, the City of Tacoma hired a consultant to look at options on a very short segment of the Prairie Line Trail: South 21st Street.  While the crossing iteself is less than 100-ft, choosing a way to cross that encourages trail users to continue safely on the trail to and from UWT will be critical to making it a success.  At the same time, looking at vehicle routes, delays and back-ups it's clear 21st is used as a main route to SR-509, I-705 & I-5.  Finally, the question of cost magnatude comes up - weighing the value of dollars here versus elsewhere on the trail.

By last week the options were narrowed down to three crossing alternatives:

1. Road Diet - reducing one vehicular lane in each direction on 21st and creating a mid-traffic landing median.
2. Adding a Stop Light at C Street - routing PLT off of the rail line to the light & back again.
3. Combination of #2 & 3 - the best (or worst?) of both options: removing a lane westbound and routing users to the light.

A PDF of the presentation can be found here: http://cloud.chambermaster.com/userfiles/UserFiles/chambers/1361/File/BIA/PLT_Presentation2.pdf


We'd love to hear your feedback if one of the crossings works particularly well (or poorly) for you as a PLT or S. 21st St. user.

Free Bike Cages for Bike Month

If you didn't know, DOTG manages two bike cages in downtown Tacoma.  The bike cages provide handy, safe, & dry bike parking at all hours.  In honor of bike month they are now being provided free of charge.

Okay, so the weather outside is a little questionable right now, so we may have to extend the free period into June where we're sure it'll be sunny.  This is your chance to try the cage out and see just how convenient they are.  Once the free period is over, it's only $25 for the year if it works for you.  (That's about 2 days of car parking in the same garages.)

To sign-up for the free cages, please contact Downtown On the Go at dotgo@tacomachamber.org.

For more on the bike cages and other bike parking in downtown, please visit www.downtownonthego.com/go/biking/downtown-bike-parking.

Grand Opening: Downtown Tacoma’s Newest Bicycle Infrastructure

On Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011 at 8 a.m., Downtown On the Go and the City of Tacoma will be officially opening their Bike Cage in Park Plaza North Garage (923 Commerce) with a ribbon cutting and grand opening. The public is encouraged to attend.

Tacoma’s newest bike parking, the Park Plaza North Bike Cage, is conveniently located on the 5th floor of the garage, directly across from the skybridge to Broadway. Designed to remove barriers to bicycle commuting by providing a secure area to store bicycles, the bike cage was a collaboration of Downtown On the Go and City of Tacoma staff. Early studies found that many offices in downtown do not allow bicycles to sit in offices and do not provide bicycle parking, yet there are many downtown employees who like to commute by bike.

“Having options for potential bicycle commuters is crucial to increasing the number of cyclists downtown. And the more cyclists on the streets, the less cars, which means, less congestion. It’s a win-win for everyone,” says downtown business owner Judi Hyman of TwoKoi Restaurant and Chair of Downtown On the Go. Both the city and Downtown On the Go would like to install additional bicycle parking facilities if the demand is there for this one.

Those interested in using the cage can sign up with Downtown On the Go by downloading a form from the Downtown On the Go website, picking one up at the Grand Opening on Aug. 30 or by visiting Downtown On the Go (950 Pacific Ave, Suite 300, Tacoma, WA 98402). The cost of the cage is $8 per quarter or $25 per year. Users will receive a quarterly code and will be able to lock bikes to the bike racks at any time.

Contact Kristina Walker, Downtown On the Go Manager, 253-682-1739, for more information. Photos of the Bike Cage are available for viewing at the Downtown On the Go Facebook page.

Tacoma's Mobility Master Plan Up for Public Comment

If you're interested in biking and walking in Tacoma (and who isn't), then the City of Tacoma wants to hear your thoughts on the draft version of the Mobility Master Plan, which will be incorporated into the City's Comprehensive Plan if passed by the City Council. This document alone will significantly impact the future of Tacoma's biking/walking system, and aims to make biking/walking a more feasible option, especially for commuters. Attend one of these two sessions to learn more about the plan and offer your feedback.

MID-DAY SESSION:
11:30am-1:00pm
Presentation at 12:00pm sharp
Thursday, Feb. 11
Carwein Auditorium, Keystone Building, UWT
Click here for a map and location details.

EVENING SESSION:
6:30pm-8:00pm
Presentation at 7:00pm sharp
Thursday, Feb. 11
Rasmussen Rotunda, Wheelock Student Center, UPS
Click here for a map and location details.

The plan is available for pre-review on the City's website.
Questions?
Contact Diane Wiatr, City of Tacoma Mobility Coordinator, at dwiatr@cityoftacoma.org.