New Haven Independent: Thanks, But No Thanks

Thanks, But No Thanks

by Thomas MacMillan | September 20, 2007 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

An offer to donate much-needed new bike racks in New Haven met with a polite no from parks commissioners wary of advertising in city parks.

The offer came from the owners of D’Aniello’s Amity Bicycles, a shop just over the town line in Woodbridge.

The Board of Parks Commissioners heard and rejected the proposal at a meeting Wednesday evening. D’Aniello’s had requested that the donated bike racks carry the logo of the store. The board’s decision followed a discussion about the place of advertising in the city’s parks and the need for more bike racks in the city.

Emily Byrne (at center in the photo), a representative from the mayor’s office, explained that D’Aniello’s had contacted the the mayor and offered to donate either one five-bike rack or two three-bike racks, to be placed anywhere in the city. Sue D’Aniello (pictured at left), co-owner of the store, explained that proposal included placing a decal of the store’s logo on either side of the racks.

The proposal was rejected because the racks were seen by the board as a form of advertisement. “We don’t allow any signage in the park,” said Commissioner David Belowsky (at right in the photo), president of the board.

Bob Levine, the director of the Department of Parks Recreation and Trees, added that the board could not accept bike rack donations in this manner. It would need to have a public request for proposals for such a project, since the donation contains an advertisement.

Belowsky thanked D’Aniello for the proposal, which had illuminated a deficit in the city. “We realized that we might need bike racks in the park,” he said. Belowsky mentioned that more people might be using bicycles because of recent increases in gas prices.

Byrne reported a shortage of bike racks in the city and a waiting list of areas needing racks. (One area where the racks fill up fast: the train station.) Byrne added that the city’s existing bike racks can accommodate only one or two bikes.

“It’s called a two-humper,” explained Levine, referring to the city’s bike racks. “‘Cause it’s got two humps. See?” he said, holding up a drawing of an m-shaped bike rack.

Comments

Posted by: on whalley | September 20, 2007 1:47 PM

So there's a problem with accepting free bike racks with a shops logo on them but it's perfectly fine to cover nearly every square inch of this city with Devil's Gear stickers?

What is racks free and clear of ads ended up in the parks and a bunch of Devil's Gear stickers ended up on them? Would the racks be removed?

This is so stupid. You need rack, here are free racks. Let me donate them but I want a little plaque on them that says "Donated by...." Whats the difference?

Posted by: king james v | September 20, 2007 2:45 PM

Lets see, the UI festival of lights at lighthouse park, the old Brian Alden Jazz fest on the New Haven Green, The Pilot Pen Tennis tournament at the CT Tennis Center. Why is an "amity bicycles bike rack" any different? take the damned racks, say thank you, spend the money saved on snow removal.
Now go out and get sponsors for covered bus stops with seats, maybe a sponsor for the ferry st. bridge, hell we can even name the "Q" bridge if it gets the work done quicker.

Posted by: Nan Bartow | September 20, 2007 3:08 PM

I agree with the Board of Parks Commissioners and Director Bob Levine. Let's keep advertising out of the New Haven Parks. The parks are one of the few places that are left that don't have advertisements everywhere. One advertisement leads to another and another. Let's keep our parks green and commercial free.

Posted by: HeavyD | September 20, 2007 3:46 PM

Maybe it's worth checking on this with those who actually bike in New Haven. I've even had my bike stolen from the train station; since there was no space on the bike rack, I ended up having to lock it to something flimsy. Not to mention those lovely signs indicating they'll cut off any bike not locked to the completely occupied bike rack. We've had a rack shortage for *years*, and if the city isn't going to let someone else help with this problem, then the commissioners need to tell us their plan for resolving it rather than sitting on their hands.

Give the other bike shops an opportunity to donate racks of their own. Or work out some other reasonable compromise. If the city isn't willing to shell out a few bucks to install bike racks, it shouldn't be turning down offers from others to do so.

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Thanks, But No Thanks

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