News
October 21, 2015Bicycle Racks Installed On Upper Union Street Schenectady
It’s a pedestrian friendly shopping district; but more and more Upper Union Street business people have noticed visitors and business owners arriving via bicycle.
“More and more folks reaching their Upper Union Street destinations by bike,” says Maureen Gebert, co-executive director of the Upper Union Street BID (Business Improvement District). “We notice it at our festivals and in day to day business. With CDTA having bike racks on so many of their busses and our proximity to Union College, it is logical to be more “bike friendly.” Gebert credits the City of Schenectady, the Metroplex Development Authority, and Will Vining, the president of the 12309 Neighborhood Association, with helping to propel the project.
Gebert tributes Vining with taking the initiative to request bike racks be installed within the BID footprint. “The 12309 Neighborhood Association is pleased to be playing more of a role and helping with initiatives such as the bike racks,” says Vining. ”Working together as a residential group with the BID only strengthens both groups. We are mutual assets to each other.”
No one could be more pleased by the bike rack installation than Linda Smith, the owner of Divinitea, a retail and wholesale tea business located at 1708 Upper Union Street and a resident of the neighborhood. “I ride my bike to the shop every day weather permitting,” says Smith. “I’m a true bike advocate and I’m thrilled.”
The new racks have been installed at Gershon’s, Dunkin Donuts, the Dean Street intersection and in the parking lot on the south side behind Trustco. Upper Union Street will tie in with National Bike Month in May. Bike to Work Week 2016 is scheduled from May 16-20. Bike to Work Day is May 20, 2016.
