Simsbury is a Bike Friendly Community
Simsbury was designated as Connecticut's first Bike Friendly Community. Simsbury achieved that designation because of our Safe Routes to School Program, our shared use trail and work by town officials and bike advocates to make active transportation and a safe network of streets and roads a priority. We can get a lot friendlier and attract more cyclists to our Town Center with simple changes.
Bikes mean Business
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The business community understands that bikes mean business. Towns conduct impact studies to identify opportunities, gained or lost, associated with bike infrastructure or accommodations for bikers. Cyclists move more slowly through a town than those riding in cars and need to stop more frequently for meals and refreshments and supplies. Bikers really want only 3 three things - a safe network of streets, quality signage with easy access to town centers and accommodations for bikers. One simple accommodation is the addition of safe, accessible bike parking.
Wall to Wall Bikes
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We have all seen bikes in downtown Simsbury leaning against walls, cluttering a walkway or parked on a handicap access ramp. These may be owned by patrons but may also belong to members of your own staff. It is unattractive and unsafe. Bikers are reluctant to frequent shops without racks because there is the very real danger of bike damage - not a problem you want when you are miles from home! Bikers reward, selfishly, shops with bike racks and other cyclist accommodations.
Add a Rack, Add a customer ...and their entourage!
Adding a bike rack is an easy way to attract more business. You can buy one for your business or add bike parking to the conversation with your property manager. Prices for racks can begin as low as $100 and move to thousands depending on size, design, color and customization. The photos below are examples of simple, movable racks, permanently mounted racks and artistic racks designed to reflect the unique vibe of your business. Racks are available from a wide range of suppliers including industrial distributors, distributors of park and recreation equipment or directly from bike rack manufacturers. There are dozens of choices, the link to one manufacturer, as an example of the range of options, is below.
May is National Bike Month! Will you have bike racks to attract the cycling community?
Tip: Limited space for a bike rack? Did you know that a small bike rack fits perfectly into a single car parking space. 1 rack = 6 patrons in 1 car space. That's what Bike Friendly Businesses do!
