More pedal power parking

Photo: Contributed

Downtown Vernon will be more bike friendly after City Council approved a plan for increased bike parking spaces.

The Downtown Vernon Association requested an increase in the number of bike racks, an on-street bike parking pilot project and an on-street, bicycle-themed mural.

These requests were part of the DVA’s 2018-22 strategic plan to improve bicycle infrastructure and culture.

“This is the first step of many,” said Dudley Coulter, events and promotions co-ordinator at the DVA. “Our goal is to position downtown as an attractive destination for both locals and visitors who choose to travel via bicycle.

“The advent of the Okanagan Rail Trail has brought opportunities for businesses to open themselves up to a new and growing market and the DVA will be working with those businesses who are interested in catering to cyclists throughout the Spring and Summer of 2019.”

The 2019-23 financial plan adopted by Council on Jan. 7, approved $30,000 in the 2019 capital budget for improvements to bus stops and bicycle parking which will help pay for more bike racks to be installed throughout the downtown core.

New and existing racks will also be painted in DVA colours to be easily identified by cyclists. This budget will pay for the on-street bicycle parking pilot program from May through September.

Officials with the DVA are working with Arts Council of the North Okanagan (ACNO) to obtain funding and artists to complete the bicycle-themed on-street mural which will be painted at or near the on-street bicycle parking pilot project to be temporarily installed in front of Marten Brewing Co. near the corner of 30th Avenue and 30th Street.