It’s that time of year again.  The Ann Arbor Art Fairs will descend upon downtown Ann Arbor from Weds. July 16-Sat. July 19th.

Because the Art Fair’s close many downtown streets and parking prices increasing during this time, you might be looking for other commuting options during this time.

getDowntown has created a page on our website with info on Art Fair Commuting, from which streets will be closed, to what you need to know to get around.

Check it out here: www.getdowntown.org/resources/Commuting_during_Art_Fair.html

Good news! The DDA just put in a bunch more Moped and Motorcycle Parking Spaces in downtown, including some over at Catherine and Fourth, close to Kerrytown.

To view all of the Moped and Motorcycle Spaces, click here.

So I just parked by bike over at the Ann/Ashley parking structure today and saw something I’ve never seen before: all of the moped/motorcycle spaces in that lot were being used!

The reason this is so surprising is because I had been told that these spots are never full.

I’m seeing the same phenomenon with non-motorized bikes.  It seems like everywhere I turn downtown there is a bike parked at a bike hoop, or on a sign, or on a tree.

Now, I’ve not worked downtown before, so perhaps the increase in bikes and bikers happens just like this every summer.  But I wonder if it’s even more pronounced this year because of gas prices.

That’s the problem with observation . . . you can see something, but you don’t really know if it’s statistically accurate or not.

So, I’d be really interested in hearing from folks who have recently started biking to work (either on a bike or a moped/motorcycle) as a result of high gas prices, or for another reason.

You can email me your thoughts at getdowntown@annarborchamber.org

Tonight, getDowntown is partnering with the Ann Arbor District Library to bring you a panel discussion featuring local commuters who are living car-less and car-lite.  The idea is to also have audience participation for this event, so please come and share your stories, too!

Here’s the blurb about the event (from the AADL website):

Car-lite, Car-less: A Panel Discussion On How We Commute to Work

Thursday May 8, 2008: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm — Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Ever marvel at the bicyclists zooming by you in traffic downtown? Or gaze enviously at pedestrian commuters? Hear what local commuters Ed Vielmetti, Alaine Karoleff, Scott Munzel and Tamara Real have to say about their alternative commutes. The panelists will discuss their methods, challenges and surprises they encounter, and how using a sustainable mode of transportation helps them get more out of their commute.

This event is cosponsored by the getDowntown Program and the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce in celebration of Curb Your Car Month. The getDowntown Program (www.getdowntown.org) encourages/assists downtown commuters in the use and development of sustainable transportation choices and is a partnership between the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, and the City of the Ann Arbor.

A participate in the Commuter Challenge just let me know about something very cool.

She “scooter-pooled” today on her new electric scooter.

Check out the scooter she purchased by going here: http://www.evtamerica.com/z_20.htm 

The nice folks at the City of Ann Arbor recently created this map showing all of the parking locations for mopeds and motorcycles in the downtown Ann Arbor area.

Hopefully, this will help those who aren’t sure where they can park.