Politics & Government

New, 'Whimsical' Bike Racks Hit Downtown San Mateo

The city will install more than 50 bike racks in downtown San Mateo to prepare for "Bike to Work Day" on Thursday.

The city of San Mateo's Department of Public Works will install more than 50 bike racks in downtown San Mateo to prepare for “Bike to Work Day” scheduled for Thursday, May 9.

Both standard and decorative racks will be implemented downtown.

The design of the more decorative contemporary racks – in the likeness of a real bicycle – is a move away from the standard “inverted u” shape rack, and aims to attract families and young people to bicycle travel as a viable way to reaching our downtown. 

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San Mateo is the first city on the Peninsula to try this design in the children’s size, city officials said. 

Supported by the Downtown San Mateo Association, these new bike racks are more vibrant and easy to locate than the traditional inverted u shape bike rack, according to city officials.

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The bike racks come in bright blue, green, yellow and red, bringing a more whimsical feel and colorful element to downtown. 

The racks are built to meet bicycle specification for youth cyclists and were custom made by Dero, a bicycle rack manufacturer headquartered in Minneapolis. 

They work with cities throughout the country and have installed custom designs in Half Moon Bay, Los Angeles and Colorado.  

For a map with all locations of the new downtown bike racks, please visit: www.cityofsanmateo.org/ridesanmateo.

“We are installing the Peninsula’s first ‘decorative’ children’s bike to capture the attention of young people, and help them associate bicycling with fun,” said Larry Patterson, Director of Public Works.

“We want to help young people view bicycling as a form of recreation, a way to travel, and a contribution to our City’s sustainability,” he said.

Other bicycle improvement projects are slated throughout the city including the installation of four bicycle corrals, which will be installed at key locations throughout the downtown including Talbots, Jamba Juice, Peet’s Coffee, and Fourth and B Street near Pancho Villa. 

Additionally, electronic bike lockers will be installed at the City’s three CalTrain stations and will replace the existing day-use lockers. 

The bicycle improvement projects were funded by the state Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 grant and a local grant from the Peninsula Congestion Relief Alliance. 

Both grants provide funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements. The total cost for the bicycle improvement projects is approximately $123,000. 


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