Via press release:
The Bismarck Employees Active & Thriving (BEAT) committee is pleased to announce the installation of a new public bicycle rack located in the 6th and Thayer parking ramp. BEAT is a city employee wellness program that encourages City of Bismarck employees to be active and thriving by developing and encouraging health and wellness initiatives. It is their mission to provide and promote opportunities and resources in an environment that supports employees and their families in making healthy lifestyle choices.
The new bicycle rack is the result of a joint effort between BEAT, the Bismarck Parking Authority, Bismarck State College and Sanford Health. Students with the Bismarck State College Welding Program fabricated the bicycle parking rack under the direction of David Mozingo, Professor of Welding. Mozingo states, “It’s always a good thing when students get the opportunity to practice their skills and give back to the community. Not only did our welding students help to fabricate the bike rack and our Auto Collision students paint it, several of the welding students donated their free time to help install the bike rack May 14.
Katie Johnke, Nutrition Services Coordinator with Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health, and Chair of BEAT notes, “Studies have shown that employees who exercise regularly and walk or bike as a principal means of transportation are happier (better morale), healthier (reduced health care costs) and more productive. We have the opportunity to influence change in the health and wellness of our community by making choices for employees that increase access to active transportation facilities. The protected bicycle parking facility will provide added security and protection from the elements, especially in our famously unpredictable North Dakota weather.”
“At Sanford Health, we encourage everyone to not only live healthy lives as individuals, but we encourage families to be healthy and stay active as a family,” said Dr. Craig Lambrecht, M.D., executive vice president of Sanford Health in Bismarck. “We are excited to add this bike rack in downtown Bismarck and allow people to experience all the amenities that downtown has to offer.”
The new rack will accommodate up to 10 bicycles at any given time and provides multiple points to properly lock and secure bicycles. Users will have access to the new parking rack via the parking ramp exit location along East Thayer Avenue. Bicyclists are required to walk their bike through the exit location to the rack located directly behind the staff kiosk. The cost of this creative, collaborative community effort was $1,860 with the Parking Authority contributing $1,010 for fence installation; Sanford Health Bismarck, $500 and BEAT, $350 for materials and paint for the rack. Bismarck State College staff and students made an in-kind contribution of their time and expertise.
Rocky Gordon, with the Bismarck Parking Authority reminds users that bicycle riding in any of the downtown parking ramps is strictly prohibited and reminds motorists to always remain vigilant of potential pedestrians and bicyclists and to use extra care near all parking ramps – especially when entering and exiting.
Sandra Bogaczyk, an employee with the City of Bismarck and BEAT member is excited to see this new rack installed. She states: “It will be so nice to do lunchtime errands and get to appointments on my bike instead of using my car. I’m encouraged by all the new bicyclists I see around town. It’s a great freedom to bike to work every day.”
