Austin Bike Blog has been following the idea of turning Austin’s downtown parking meters into bike parking, since a current city proposal calls for removing many of the meters and replacing them with electronic kiosks that accept payment for each block.

I want the city to look at more structured parking for bikes downtown (e.g. everything from bike stations and lockers to more inverted U racks), but I love the idea of using abandoned meters. It’s simple, probably fairly cost effective and it fulfills the goal of putting the parking where it’s needed the most–close to where you’re going.

To that end, LOBV will be taking a more formal stance on this issue by penning a letter to the appropriate city officials in support of the idea.  We may follow up by asking you to write a letter as well. Stay tuned.