Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Bicycling

Fix Bike “Clutter” — Put a Bike Corral on Every Block

Dockless bike-share companies added 44,000 bikes to the streets in American cities in 2017, nearly doubling the size of the national bike-share fleet. One side effect, chronicled ad nauseam in the press, is the sidewalk clutter of bikes parked in the pedestrian right of way.

It shouldn't be a tough nut to crack: Just put more bike parking in the curb lane. Now Washington, DC, is considering something along those lines.

David Whitehead at Greater Greater Washington reports that some local officials want to beef up bike parking in a big way in the District in conjunction with the city's dockless bike-share pilot.

In a letter to City Council transportation chair Mary Cheh, Council Member David Grosso said there should be a bike rack at every corner:

We should have at least one bike rack at every one of our 7,700 intersections in the city. No one should ever have to walk several blocks from a rack to their destination.

Grosso estimates that the cost of implementing this bike parking would come to $2-$3 million, and he suggests raises the funds from licensing fees on dockless bike-share companies.

The section of the curb lane approaching the crosswalk is the perfect place for a bike corral, notes GGW's David Cranor. By keeping that zone clear of parked cars, bike parking will effectively "daylight" the intersection, improving visibility and safety for everyone. Win-win!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Thursday’s Headlines Are Charged Up for the Fourth

The Republican megabill is bad for the electric vehicle industry, but it could be worse.

July 3, 2025

Why is the Secretary of Transportation Begging Americans to Take More Road Trips?

Instead of making America easier to see on all modes, the US Department of Transportation is encouraging U.S. residents to just get in their cars and drive.

July 3, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines Are for the Children

From mothers with babies in strollers to preteens on bikes, much of the U.S. is hostile to families just trying to get around without a car.

July 2, 2025

Ambulance Data Reveals That Boston Drivers Are 4 Times More Likely to Run Over Pedestrians From Black Neighborhoods

"Overall, residents of predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods are about four times more likely than residents of predominantly white neighborhoods to be struck as a pedestrian."

July 1, 2025
See all posts