Armed Forces Reserve Center to Include Bicycle Parking

News and Commentary

The Army Corps of Engineers plans to construct what may be the first non-Wesleyan building in Middletown designed to include bicycle parking. The Armed Forces Reserve Center (AFRC), will have parking for 11 bicycles in a sheltered area near the main entrance to the building. The facility also includes showers for staff and soldiers who commute by bicycle. The architect of the AFRC, KBE Building Corporation, hopes that these features will lead to a LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Beth Emery, an enthusiastic supporter of alternative modes of transportation, said the Army's bicycle rack plans are a "big thing in Middletown, a great example for others to follow." I also heartily applaud the Army's effort in the area of bicycle parking. All too often the city approves large office and retail developments without any plans for bicycle and pedestrian access, until a year ago there were no bicycle racks on Main Street, and still there is no bicycle parking at City Hall. Hopefully other developers and city officials will see convenient bicycle parking as an inexpensive approach to improve the health of workers, make shopping and dining easier, and reduce the traffic impact on the neighborhood.

Two other features of large developments have a major impact on how inviting it is to bicycle or walk. The first and most important is whether the roads around the development are suitable for travel by anything other than car. The Army is fortunate (prescient may be too strong a word here) to have chosen a site which is across the street from Middletown's only bicycle path. This wonderful path includes part of the Mattabessett Trolley line and extends from the Westlake condominiums past the AFRC to the former Aetna building. This makes it easy for the 16,000 residents of the Westlake and Trolley Crossing condominiums to walk or bike to the AFRC. I hope the Army leverages their proximity to this nearly 5 mile long dedicated bicycling and walking trail to maximum advantage by making the entrance into the AFRC as welcoming as possible for users of the trail.

Second, it is very important that pedestrian and bike travel within a development is not only safe but encouraged. The current Army plans call for a pedestrian path from the building, but according to project manager Diane McCartin it is designed for workers to access the pond area on the Army property. For staff and soldiers who might commute by foot or public bus, I hope this path will extend all the way to Smith Street, to a sheltered bus stop. For bicyclists, there should also be a clearly designated pathway from Smith Street to the building.

These features will increase the likelihood that the Army's glorious bicycle racks will be in constant use, benefitting the Army, the city, and the integration between the two.

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Note: I do not know of any previous construction projects in Middletown (outside of Wesleyan) which were designed to include bicycle parking. I trust that I do not need to ask for correction if I need it.