Have Bike, Need Rack?
Portland’s Health Initiative asks bikers for help selecting new bike hitch locations

PORTLAND, Maine – This month, Healthy Portland, a program of the City of Portland's Health and Human Services Department unveils plans to install at least twenty new bike hitches (racks) throughout the city and is seeking input from the community for convenient locations. Community members can submit a request for a bike rack at the city’s website. This program, a part of former Mayor Jim Cohen’s Health Initiative, is designed to encourage and make it easier for people to bike in and around the city. In 2007, the first year of the initiative, the city installed fifty bike hitches -- 37 two-bike hitches around the city and 13 larger racks at the schools. Suggested locations for the racks were solicited from residents and bikers in Portland.

To participate, go here.

All requests must be received by February 28, 2009. The locations will then be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of city staff and community members. Due to limited funding, not all requests may be fulfilled. The selected locations will be announced in March and the new bike racks will be installed in the spring of 2009.

Businesses, organizations or individuals interested in supporting this effort can also donate a bike hitch (rack) through Volunteer Portland, a web-based initiative designed to allow the people that live, work and play in Portland a chance to give back by volunteering or donating their time, services or financial resources. The city-approved bike hitch is available for $200 and can park two bikes. For more information, visit the city’s website .

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City of Portland
389 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101
www.portlandmaine.gov
CONTACT: Nicole Clegg, 207-756-8173, 207-272-4477 (cell) nicoleclegg@portlandmaine.gov