Cyclists in Port Alberni may soon have more places to safely lock up their bikes thanks to an initiative from the Young Professionals of the Alberni Valley (YPAV).
The group wants to see more bike racks around the Valley and have already had orders from businesses and organizations including INEO, Swale Rock Cafe, the Chamber of Commerce and others along Third Avenue and Argyle Street.
Katya Slepian and Sarah Thomas, members of the YPAV, presented a final plan of the bike rack project to Port Alberni City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
“This project originally started with us using old Catalyst parts and working together with the high school,” Slepian said. “As we went through the project we realized that it was a better idea to have something consistent for the whole community.”
The racks come in two designs: a hoop or a bike shape, that are common in other communities on Vancouver Island and offer a fairly easy installation.
“There’s four simple bolts, so not a lot of work for city crews,” Slepian said.
The racks would be ordered from Dero, a bike rack manufacturer in Vancouver, and cost $285 for a single hoop, $795 for three or $1,800 for the bike-shaped rack.
“The YPAV has been fundraising money over the past few years...as a result we’re subsidizing the cost of these racks.”
The Port Alberni Rotary Club has also helped with costs of the racks by donating $1,000 to the YPAV.
After asking for the city’s support last year to install the bike racks, the YPAV asked council to reaffirm that commitment.
“Our minds have not changed,” said Coun. Denis Sauve. “I really encourage all local businesses listening to this program to get involved in this.”
Tim Pley, City of Port Alberni CAO agreed with Sauve that the bike racks would be a great addition to the city.
“The city would like to be involved to determine the location for best use, lowest impact on pedestrians and cost of installations,” Pley said.
Those interested in ordering a bike rack have until Oct. 20. To request an order form, email info@ypalbernivalley.ca.
karly.blats@albernivalleynews.com