Bike Parking not a given with infill project

April 5, 2012 • Posted by: Colby Henley

Editor’s note: This post was written by Colby Henley one of Tucson Velo’s newest contributors. Henley is a daily bicycle commuter and advocate.

A new Jimmy John’s restaurant opened a couple weeks ago on Campbell Ave in the former Bagelry location. The company did a major renovation, basically gutting the structure, blading the lot down to the dirt and repaving a new parking lot. Surprisingly, despite the City of Tucson’s newly adopted parking ordinance, the new configuration didn’t include a single bike rack. On two recent visits, I noticed bikes locked to a pole next to the telephone pole at the edge of the parking lot, showing that there certainly is a demand for bicycle parking at that location.

Make-do bike parking at new Jimmy John's

I contacted Tucson Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Coordinator Tom Thivener to ask why the new parking ordinance didn’t apply. He checked with the Tucson Development Services Department who informed him that the renovations were permitted as a tenant improvement interior remodel and, because there was no increase in building square footage, the parking ordinance did not apply.

So, following Michael’s success with Trader Joe’s, I wrote an email to the store manager explaining the benefits of bicyclists for local businesses and the opportunities for that location adjacent the planned Bike Boulevard on Copper Street. I got a reply the same day from the manager saying that he agreed that bike parking would be a great addition and that he would talk to the owner and Tom Thivener about a plan to get them installed.

That’s a great start…I’ll keep checking to see when it happens.

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14 comments

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B.J.

Nice letter. It's always frustrating when you have to do circles around a business to look for something to lock your bike to.

steve_a_dfw

YGG! ( You Go Guy - or Gal)

Red Star

It's not an infill project. Changing pad tenants (and the new pad tenant making or not making amenity changes) doesn't make it an infill project. Bad headline.

Orvis

It's not a change of use so it doesn't trigger compliance with the current land use code. You're right about the headline, it isn't an infill project. Personally I miss the Bagelry, who else in town has real bagels? Nobody. Great letter Colby, thanks

Dbbikes

What shocks me is that they are one of the few businesses in Tucson that offers food delivery via BIKE, at least at some of their locations (one?). Silly...

Mike McC.

The letter is awesome, well done. I agree that the "we're nice people and this is a good idea" approach is best. Now I need to go satisfy my urge for a JJ Gargantuan...

Nathan Saxton

Well-handled, and well-written, Colby. The polite approach often works wonders, and sets up the feeling of partnership rather than divisiveness between cyclists and businesses.

reef

F, jimmy johns, their sammys suck. Frankie's, eegees, beyond bread there are plenty of sandwich places on campell.

Martha Retallick

I like Beyond Bread, 'tho I haven't been there for a few moons. ISTR that the bike parking situation was a lot better than The Bagelry's.

Randy G

Well done Colby ... two questions ... how's the food and how's your brothers riding going?

Chloe Woodruff

Please keep us updated on whether or not you hear back from the manager/owner. I am sure there are a number of us who'd be willing to voice additional support for the installation of some racks at this location. Thanks!

tucsonvelo

The bike parking at The Bagelry was awful. they had a wheel bender rack what wasn't secured to the ground and all the way across the parking lot. I tried taking my bike in one early morning and they wouldn't allow me too. Hopefully your email will work, Colby. I'm curious what you wrote. Care to post it a comment?

Martha Retallick

The crummy bike rack was one of the main reasons why I stopped going to The Bagelry. And I do love me some bagels.

Colby

Here's the email I sent to Zachary, the store manager. Hi Zachary, First I want to say how glad I am to see the new Jimmy John's location on Campbell is open. My office recently relocated to the Campbell/Grant area and, as a big fan of JJ's sandwiches and fast service, I have been eagerly waiting for the opening. I've already been in for lunch a few times. One item that caught my attention at this new location is the lack of bicycle racks. As a regular bike commuter, I appreciate being able to do business at locations where I can lock my bike in visible and secure locations. On two of my visits to the new location I've seen a bike locked to some kind of pole next to the telephone pole (see attached picture), so it seems that in addition to me, there is definitely some demand for bike parking. I would suggest that the Campbell store is a prime location to promote as bicycle-friendly as it is also adjacent to Copper Street, a well used bike route and future Bicycle Boulevard (http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/projects/bicycle-boulevards). Numerous studies have shown that bicyclist are great for local businesses (http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/03/23/why-bicyclists-are-better-customers-than-drivers-for-local-business/). The City of Tucson has a Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Coordinator (Tom Thivener - cc'd) that I'm sure would be glad to work with you in determining sources for bike racks and the best location for that parcel or in the adjacent public right-of-way. Thanks for your consideration,