Stimulus money to fund downtown bike center

The same federal stimulus funding that has given Louisville millions to buy electric buses, pave roads and pour sidewalks is now handing the city $1.8 million to build a downtown center for commuting bicyclers.

The funds will pay for most of the cost to build the center at one of a handful of city-owned sites downtown, Mayor Jerry Abramson said.

Metro Government officials are in discussion with at least one local corporation about helping finance the project, perhaps in exchange for naming rights or other considerations.

The center, a glorified bike station, "would be a great amenity for downtown residents who don't own a car, and also for bikers who commute to work," Abramson said.

"The automotive age as we have known it is over," said biking advocate Jackie Green, adding that a transit center catering to bicyclers might be useful to as many as 2,000 riders.

"We have to start moving about in a different manner, and this would be a step in the right direction." read more here