MethuenRailTrail

Results of Bike Rack Census

There is not enough municipal or privately provided bicycle parking in Methuen to support the present level of cycling in the area. Proper parking for bicycles should be provided at all municipal facilities and encouraged through out the local business community.

With models starting at $300, bicycles are an expensive investment either for transportation or recreation. They should be locked securely to a stationary object in plain view. Many modern ‘road’ bikes do not have kickstands and must be leaned against a solid object when not in use.

Methuen Residents who wish to use their bicycle for in town errands are forced to chain their bicycle to the nearest suitable object, be it a tree, railing, or trash can. Allowing for obvious increases in alternate transportation and bicycle usage, cyclists may find themselves at odds with property owners, not to mention an increase in thefts.

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PUBLIC:
There are no bike racks at municipal buildings. The few public bike racks extant are those installed with newly constructed facilities such as Veterans Park or Riverwalk Park.

There is no bike parking at any of the schools or playgrounds, nor the skateboard park on Burnham Road, nor even the athletic facilities at the High School.

Nevins Library included a bike rack in its new renovations and the size chosen is quite adequate to present demand.

PRIVATE:
There are no bike racks at any of the department or grocery stores. Large retailers such as Walmart, Target and Home Depot which are easily accessible by public transportation have made no provision for cyclist parking.

The two serpentine style racks installed at the Loop, in front of Old Navy and K-B toy seem to be targeted toward non-adult riders. However, the Loop’s own policy discouraging youth congregation, causes these racks to go unused. Bike parking would be more practical installed in front of Stop and Shop and Loews Cinema and targeted towards the adult cyclist.

Several of other bike racks are improperly installed or in advanced states of disrepair, which discourages their use.

	Nevins Memorial Library 305 Broadway Cora Brand 4 bike Unit
	Veteran’s Park Milk st Serpentine bike rack Holds 9 bikes
	KB Toys 90 Pleasant Valley st Serpentine Rack holds 7 bikes
	Old Navy 90 Pleasant Valley St # 102 serpentine holds 7 bikes
	Mill Falls Apartments 51 Osgood St incorrectly installed. not accessible from one side, not enough clearance for bikes between cars may not be properly bolted to the ground
	Choice Fitness 126 Merrimack St
	YMCA 129 Haverhill St Unit predates existing facility
	Commuter parking lot Pelham St Serpentine rack holds 9 bikes only accessible from one side. insecure parking area, impractical for bicycle parking.
	Riverwalk Osgood st Serpentine unit holds 7 bikes
	Park near Water Treatment Plant old lowboy bike rack, Crushed by a tractor during construction too far from present activity area.