January 2010

A new ordinance governing bike parking is now in effect in the city of Pueblo. The ordinance was presented by PACE (Pueblo Active Communities Environment) in November of this year and passed November 23, with a unanimous 7-0 vote by City Council members.

“The ordinance is in effect now. A business will be required to provide bicycle parking for all new construction or any addition to any existing building with 40 or more required spaces,” says Mike Cuppy, chair of PACE.

Bike parking increased slightly in the downtown area last summer with the Downtown Association installing metal bike structures for parking. Many people, however, may be unaware that these are bike racks because of their art-like appearance and because they are placed on corners, which may impede the right-of-way of pedestrians.

To remedy problems like this, PACE bike committee chair Kim Arline says, “We'll include recommendations on placement [of bike racks] so they are utilized effectively and not placed far from building entrances or in poorly visible areas so people don't want to leave their bike there.”

With the adoption of this bike-parking ordinance, Pueblo is two wheels closer to becoming bike friendly.

However, as City Councilmen Larry Atencio asked in the Council meeting: “What about the bike lanes?”