Fitting 16 bicycles in one metred parking space just sounds like a good idea.

City councillor Ben Henderson thinks so, and the representative for Strathcona hopes others will too as they bike to the busy city neighbourhood and then park in the recently-installed bike corrals.

“It’s about making the commitment and making it convenient for people,” said Henderson, who  commutes by bike to work each day from his home in the river valley.  Henderson is unveiling the project just as the Edmonton Fringe Festival gets underway in Old Strathcona, bringing with it thousands of visitors via bike, foot, car and bus.

“Once you create the facility and infrastructure for bikes, people will use it.  That’s our hope,” he said.

Murray Davison, executive director of the Old Strathcona Business Association, welcomes the initiative to keep bikes parked and off the sidewalks, making the area safer and less cluttered, with more space for pedestrians and patios.

“We’re the outdoor mall in town and we want to keep it walkable,” said Davison.

“Plus it’s one more step to becoming greener.”

Area resident and cyclist David McIntyre said he often rides his bike, and would definitely use the new corrals.

Pointing to the often full single bike lock-ups along Whyte Ave., the 21-year-old said these multi-unit racks increase the odds he’ll park his bike.  That’s just what the city wants to hear.

TWO WHEELS

• Four on-street bike parking corrals, each holding 16 bikes, are now in use on and around Whyte for a three-month city initiative.  Racks are at Whyte and 104 St. near Starbucks, and at Whyte and 105 St. beside Chapters.
• the City wants feedback on the project either by phoning 780-944-5600, or online at Edmonton.ca/bikeparking