Elmhurst considers more bike parking

A proposed amendment to Elmhurst's zoning ordinance calls for bicycle parking at future developments within certain types of commercial districts.

The total number of bicycle spaces provided would be 5 percent of the total number of parking spots provided for motor vehicles at a building. Two bicycle parking spaces would be the minimum.

“Essentially cost neutral” is how the amendment was described by the Elmhurst Bicycle Task Force at a January 12 hearing of the Elmhurst Planning and Zoning Committee.

A private developer could get a credit toward vehicular parking by providing space for bicycles. Bicycle parking spaces could cost less than $1,000 while vehicular parking can cost $5,000 per spot and up, notes Task Force Chairman Bob Hoel. Variances can be granted for certain types of businesses that may not need bicycle parking.

Convenient bicycle parking is part of the Elmhurst Bicycle Plan, now under development by the task force. In related news,  Elmhurst recently increased the number of racks at its Metra station and installed 10 bicycle lockers.