Policy Order O-16

WHEREAS: Cyclists have recently expressed concern that the City has been removing new and clearly non-abandoned bicycles from various City-owned posts and poles; and

WHEREAS: City regulations prohibit locking bicycles to various City-owned posts and poles; and

WHEREAS: There are few other places to lock bicycles in many areas of the City besides City-owned posts and poles; and

WHEREAS: More people riding bicycles instead of driving cars in Cambridge results in less air pollution, less street congestion and more available on-street parking for those people who do drive cars; and

WHEREAS: In many cases, bicycles cost several hundreds or even thousands of dollars and are very susceptible to both vandalism and theft if not carefully locked in an appropriate location; and

WHEREAS: Many cyclists may feel forced to drive cars around Cambridge if they cannot find convenient and safe placed which they can lock their bicycles without fear that the City will remove them; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the City's regulations concerning where bikes may be locked and how the City is currently enforcing those regulations when bicycles are not clearly abandoned.