Manchester Becoming More Bike Friendly

Anyone who works in or near Manchester knows that parking in the city is a huge hassle. But biking in the city was no treat either. The city had no bike lanes and bike racks were hard to come by in high traffic areas. Bike Manchester is changing that with a program launching this spring with plans for 15 bike racks downtown and in heavily trafficked areas. The group also worked with the City Department of Public Works to create bike lanes on Chestnut Street last June and Wellington Road last October.

“While Manchester has a fair number of bike racks, they are not obvious and hard to find,” says Will Stewart, co-chair of Bike Manchester. “This is really good for motorists too as it creates more parking in Manchester, especially the Elm Street area. I don’t want it to come across as car versus bike.”

Bike racks of varying sizes are now located at dozens of locations. The new bike racks will double as works of art and be made by local metal artist Dave Noonan.  Although the design of the racks is not finalized, it will hold up to two bikes and be a design that captures the culture of Manchester, Stewart says.

The 15 new bike racks will be installed throughout the city, paid for in part from a $3,000 grant from the Central NH Bicycling Coalition that covers half the cost. The city received applications from nine businesses interested in a total of 12 bike racks. Stewart says a final decision on applicants will be made by this month, and they anticipate all applications to be accepted. Businesses pay $200 for the rack and installations.

Businesses that applied include 900 Degrees and the Puritan Backroom. Stewart believes the applications hit many high traffic locations. “It is good not only for us to give the restaurant more parking, but we get to support a community initiative surrounding fitness and health lifestyles,” says Chris Pappas, co-owner and manager of the Puritan Backroom.

Bike Manchester is working closely with the City Department of Public Works, which will install the racks and has been adding bike lanes. A bike lane will open on South Mammoth Road this spring, says Todd Connors, engineering manager with the city.

“We wanted to start something that would help people who already bike and encourage those who don’t to bike,” says Stewart.