Washington Area Bicyclist Association Receives Grant for 300 Bike Racks was originally published on Housing Complex on Oct. 29, 2009, at 3:50 p.m.
Yesterday, the District Department of Transportation announced 10 grant recipients receiving funds for "non-traditional projects that are linked to the District’s transportation system."
Many will finance public art projects, sidewalk additions, and cosmetic improvements. But one grant, in particular, will affect a distinct set of commuters -- those of the low carbon footprint, pedaling, spandex-wearing variety.
Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) receieved grants for four projects, including one that promises to install 300 bike racks throughout the city.
The exact locations have not been decided yet, says group director Eric Gilliland. He expects the first round of racks will be installed starting in January or February.
In addition to the installations, WABA also plans to coordinate more bike valets during big events down at the Mall: the Cherry Blossom Festival, July 4th Celebrations, Folk Life Festival and Screen on the Green. (How much does this cost? For the four days of the Cherry Blossom Festival, WABA has budgeted $5,000.)
There are also plans to bring "a mobile bike shop to the Anacostia area to offer free repair services to local residents of all ages" and to fund a poster campaign "to demonstrate the importance that biking, walking and transit play in healthy more livable communities," according to WABA’s grant proposal (which was forwarded to the Washington City Paper.)
