The Short North Foundation is excited to have assisted in the purchase and installation of 41 bicycle bollards in the Short North Neighborhoods and Arts District along North High Street.

As part of this endeavor, six bike bollards were installed in the city parking lot at 709 N. High St., 12 are scattered along High Street in the Short North, and 19 will soon be placed in various areas of Goodale Park. Four will be positioned in the new Italian Village Park.

“Several civic organizations came together to make this happen,” says Stephen Weed, president of the Short North Foundation. “Thanks to rising gas prices and the notion to ‘go green,’ biking is more popular than ever. It’s crucial that we all work together to accommodate more cyclists and advance our neighborhood in the best way possible.”

Spearheading the project are the Short North Special Improvement District (SID), directed by Tim Wagner, and the Bicycle Bollards for Goodale Park Ad Hoc Committee, chaired by Sabrina Bobrow from Westminster-Thurber Community.

Funding for the bollards in the Arts District along North High Street was provided by the Short North Special Improvement District ($1,650) and the Heffner Short North Neighborhood Endowment ($1,250).

Funding for the Goodale Park bollards (a $6,000 project overall) was provided by the Community Festival Grants Committee, the Victorian Village Society and the Heffner Short North Neighborhood Endowment ($2,500).

Funding for four bollards in the new Italian Village Park, located off Hubbard Avenue, was provided by the Italian Village Society, the Johnstone Short North Neighborhood Endowment at the Columbus Foundation and the Short North Foundation.

The galvanized black bollards are being manufactured locally by Fortin Ironworks and will require minimal maintenance. Each post parks two bikes.

“Finally, bike riders in the Short North have something designed specifically for them,” says Sabrina Bobrow. “We hope that these bollards encourage people to drive less and pedal more.”