Downtown Lansing Inc. attracts bikers to district with $6,500 investment

Bicyclists now have a new reason to love Downtown Lansing. Twenty five new bike racks were installed along the 100-400 blocks of Washington Square at the end of March. 

 

“Additional bike parking is important because it encourages other modes of transportation in the city,” says Downtown Lansing Inc. (DLI) Executive Director Mindy Biladeau. “It encourages people to bike to downtown, encourages bikers to park and patronize businesses.”

 

The staff and volunteers of DLI have been working on the bike rack project for about nine months. The $6,500 investment was made utilizing $500 grants from the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council and Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, as well as funds raised from DLI’s special events, such as Taste of Downtown and FrostFest. 

 

“We have been receiving very positive feedback through our office and our social media networks,” says Biladeau. “We see less bikes chained to lamp poles, parking meters, trees and fencing.”