Danbury installed four bike racks to hold eight bikes downtown this week in a step to encourage riding.
The Parking Authority has bike racks in its garages, said Executive Director Deborah Pacific, and after encouragement from bikers, the Authority bought two more at about $200 each. The city bought two more at the same price.
"The Parking Authority board said we don't have to just park cars," Pacific said. She realized numerous people are chaining their bikes to signs and trees when she was walking downtown. Giving them an official bike rack might help them out and spruce up Main Street.
"We're just trying it out. If it's popular, we can buy more," Pacific said. She said the new bike racks match the parking meters and the lamps on Main Street.
Wayne Shepperd, chief of staff for Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, said people started talking about putting bike racks downtown earlier this year. He said George Korres, owner of Nico's on Main Street, was the first person he remembered asking for them, followed by Andrea Gartner of CityCenter Danbury.
Pacific said two people she talked to were Marti and David Fine, who live about 3.5 miles from downtown Danbury, and they bike into town.
"They're avid bikers, very enthusiastic," Pacific said.
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