New Indy bike hub to promote city health, image

INDIANAPOLIS — A new downtown bicycle hub could encourage more commuters to pedal to work and build an image of Indianapolis as a health-conscious city, officials say.

The hub opened this month within a new YMCA facility as part of a $3.5 million renovation of City Market. It has 148 bike racks, 10 shower stalls and vented lockers, The Indianapolis Star reported (http://bit.ly/mV4z9X ).

YMCA of Greater Indianapolis President Eric Ellsworth says the Y hopes to have 2,000 bike hub regulars and 180,000 visitors a year.

“The goal is to make Indianapolis the healthiest city in America,” he said. “This is one small cog in the wheel.”

The bike hub is the city’s latest effort to boost bicycling. Indianapolis now has 32 miles of dedicated bike lanes on city streets and plans to have 63 miles finished by the end of the year.

It hopes to have 200 miles of bike lanes within 12 years.

Mayor Greg Ballard said the hub will let commuters pedal to work, lock their bikes, shower and keep their cycling clothes in lockers.

“This will change the culture of the city of Indianapolis” to that of a health-conscious city,” said Ballard, himself a cyclist. “There is nothing like it in the country.”

John Hazlett, director of the city’s Office of Sustainability, and Randy Clark, president of Bicycle Garage Indy, said the hub will help solidify Indianapolis’ reputation as a city with recreational offerings that are attractive to young professionals.

“This will help us attract the young talented worker looking for a green-friendly location,” Clark said.

Bicyclist Mark Porteous said he thinks the new hub will have ample customers.

“You see a lot more people coming Downtown now off the Monon Trail and/or taking their bikes to IUPUI,” said Porteous, who lives Downtown. “It gets pretty crowded.”

———

Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com