Council Proposal Would Mandate More Bike Parking

Businesses, school buildings, and multi-family residential buildings will all be affected by the ordinance. Credit: Adam Fagen via Flickr

Nashville may soon require a minimum of two bicycle parking spaces for new and expanding businesses. Supporters say it’s part of the effort to embrace transportation options in the city.

Peter Linck is excited about the ordinance. The Vanderbilt student doesn’t own a car and says finding a place to lock his bike can often be a hassle.

I keep myself open to parking. Like, you know, attaching it to parking meters, fences, railings, things like that but it really is nice and really convenient when places do have a bike rack.

The ordinance calls for new businesses and those growing by more than half their size to include bicycle parking in their plans. Restaurants, no matter what the size, will need at least 4 slots.  The new rule will apply to businesses in the urban core.

The Metro Council is scheduled for a final vote on the bill in two weeks and, if it passes, it will be effective by the end of the month.