Iowa City asks for bike parklet designs

To Nate Kaeding, a downtown bicycle parking structure means a lot of things.

Kaeding, the Retail Development Director for the Iowa City Downtown District, said that while a new bike parklet or parking structure with added amenities will make biking to downtown more convenient, it might also improve the local economy and be a visual cue that the city is supportive of the use of bicycles and other sustainability practices.

'I think for us it's really important,' Kaeding said. 'It'll send that message that 'hey, we're bike friendly.''

The downtown district is asking for designs for a bike parklet to place in a current loading zone on the corner of Washington and Dubuque Streets. The city plans to choose a winning proposal on June 15 and install the parklet in mid-August.

The Downtown District has a budget of $20,000 for the new parking structure, which should have space for about 12 bicycles. This is money, Kaeding said, that the city set aside for projects that support biking in the area.

Kaeding said the new parklet should be modular so it can be removed during the winter months and be visually appealing to add to the aesthetic of downtown Iowa City. He said the request for proposals was purposefully left somewhat broad and vague to encourage creativity by designers.

Martha Norbeck, who is a member of Think Bicycles of Johnson County, which co-sponsored the project, said she hopes the parklet designs include aspects like vegetation or flowers, seating and maybe even a canopy with solar panels.

Norbeck, who is a lifelong bicycle commuter, said she suggested a parklet about a year ago. She said after she had seen similar projects in cities like San Francisco and researched parklets online, she thought one in Iowa City could be beneficial.

After witnessing a 'traffic jam' at one of the downtown bike racks, Norbeck said she realized the cycling culture in the area has expanded in the last few years. Because of this growth, she thought a bike parklet could help foster an even better atmosphere in the city.

'You're more connected to the community on the bicycle because you're literally able to interact as you pass at a low speed,' Norbeck said.

Both Kaeding and Norbeck said another advantage to fostering a cycling culture in the city is an economic one. They said they have noticed that cyclists often tend to spend more when out in a city than motorists.

Jamie Skinner, the owner of Molly's Cupcakes downtown, said while she doesn't see many of her customers on bicycles because there is no nearby rack, she does believe many people are riding them. Skinner said she thinks the new parking structure might encourage customers to stop in or stay longer for cupcakes or coffee because cycling is often a social pastime.

'I think Iowa City is a very bikeable town and if more bike structures were around, people would use them. It would only add to the foot traffic downtown,' Skinner said.