Navigating Manchester’s Urban Paths
Hello Manchester! Let’s start off this month with an eye-opening quote about bikes… “The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community.” — Ann Strong, 1895, Minneapolis Tribune.
Apparently Ann Strong was ahead of her time. But back to the present… let’s talk about ….
- Streets: Kids vs. Cars
- Missing Bike Repair Station
- Queen City Bike Open House
- Queen City Bike Volunteer Opportunities
- Winter Biking Preparedness
- Winter Parking Ban
Let’s dive in!
Streets: Safe for Kids vs. Safe for Cars
I am compelled to call your attention to a wonderful short video detailing how one neighborhood in Montreal decided, consciously and explicitly, to remove some street space from automotive use and, instead, use it for a creative and safe play area for neighborhood kids.
Lest you discard this idea as another example of crazy French Canadians, I urge you to give it a watch — it’s only 9 minutes long. I suspect that before the end you’ll be jealous of this great neighborhood space these families have. Maybe it will even suggest some creative uses for currently paved-over spaces here in Manchester.
The Curious Case of the Missing Bike Repair Station
Manchester is blessed to have several public bike repair stations in various spots around our city, including one outside City Hall. These stations make quality tools available to anyone, including some riders who might not have such tools easily available.
Recently, when walking by City Hall, I noticed the repair station was gone. Curious, I used the city’s awesome software tool SEE-CLICK-FIX to ask about it. Very quickly the Chief of Street Operations (James Ramos) replied that it was removed and will not return.
When I asked some follow-up questions on See-Click-Fix, James directed me to the Mayor’s office.
Then I emailed Carole Alfano, Communications Director of the Mayor’s Office. I identified myself as an avid cyclist and occasional columnist for the InkLink, and asked some questions, shown below:
… several follow-up questions, which I hope you can help answer:
• why was it removed?
• why won’t it return?
• why and how was this decision made?
• was there any opportunity for public input?
• if there was no public input, why not?
Thank you.
>>> Below is Carole’s response:
Good morning Jeff,
The bike station at City Hall was located in a difficult place and had to be taken out. That’s because we’ve had three recent construction projects block off that area and visitors looking to register their cars now line up at the middle door to City Hall complex instead of the one on the far left which puts them in the path of where the bike station was formerly located.
- Here are the remaining stations:
- West side Arena
- Livingston Park
- Pulaski Park
- Bronstein Park
- S Manchester Rail Trail
- JFK Arena
- West High School
Best regards,
Carole
Carole Alfano
Communications Director
Office of the Mayor
Office: 603-624-6500
Cell: 603-496-0412
Email: CAlfano@ManchesterNH.gov
One City Hall Plaza, Manchester, NH 03101
The Right-To-Know Law (RSA 91-A) provides that most e-mail communications, to or from City employees and City volunteers regarding the business of the City of Manchester, are government records available to the public upon request. Therefore, this email communication may be subject to public disclosure.
Open House at the Queen City Bike Collective
All are invited. We want to hear from you!
Map below…
Queen City Bicycle Collective is located at: 35 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101
Reminder:
We will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday & Friday, November 28th & 29th
We will reopen on Saturday, November 30th.
PLEASE SHARE this information with your family, friends & colleagues!
Queen City Bike Volunteer Opportunities
Are you looking for some fun and rewarding volunteer activity? The Queen City Bike Collective is looking for community members who want to get involved! Come by our open house, see what we’re about, and see what interests you.
Our opportunities include:
- In-shop work
- adopt-a-fix-it station
- advocacy
- event support
All are impactful ways to support the collective. Tell us what you’re interested in and what motivates you!
The Queen City Bicycle Collective also has an Advocacy Committee focused on making Manchester a more bike friendly city. The committee currently meets on the third Monday of each month, at 5:30 PM, at our 37 Elm Street location. All interested community members are encouraged to come.
Finally, you can always help the Collective by donations of cash, check, bicycles, or bike parts.
Learn how to donate your bike or parts here.
Winter Biking Preparedness
I’m sure many of you think riding a bike in winter is insane. But let me ask you: is walking outdoors in winter insane? Of course not. You dress right and it works. Biking is the same. I have friends that bike almost any day of the year. And it really can be quite rewarding to return energized from a ride that previously you would have avoided — to expand the things you’re capable of. And you’re never too old for that!
4. Another video here.
Don’t Forget the Winter Parking Ban!
December 1 to April 15 – Overnight Winter Parking, Odd / Even
The City of Manchester’s overnight winter on-street, odd/even parking ban goes into effect on the morning of December 1st at 1 a.m., and will run through April 15th. Where parking is normally allowed on a street, the Overnight Winter Parking Ban permits vehicles to be parked only on the odd numbered side of a street on odd numbered calendar months, and only on the even numbered side of a street on even numbered calendar months beginning after 1 a.m. and until 6 a.m. This means you should park on the even side of the street during the month of December, and in January you will park on the odd side of the street, etc. If parking is presently allowed on only one side of the street during the day, then parking will be permitted on that side of the street every night. No overnight parking is permitted on the circular portion of dead-end cul-de-sacs. You may be fined for Overnight Winter Parking Violations per City Ordinances, including Chapter 71. These parking allowances are prohibited if a Snow Emergency has been declared.
Call for Input
We very much want to hear from you! Do you have any questions or concerns? What topics would you like us to cover? Send your feedback our way and we’ll get on it! We want to ensure this column meets your needs.
Stay safe and have fun out there!