Level-Three BikePort, Located at NIFS, Will Serve White River State Park, the Canal District and Downtown Businesses

INDIANAPOLIS – White River State Park, in partnership with the National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS), will be among the first to support and host BikePort, a new amenity for cyclists. The BikePort at NIFS is considered a level three BikePort, meaning it will have bike racks (for 22 bikes) and secure, bike-size storage lockers (for 12 bikes), along with shower facilities and indoor locker rental where clothing can be stored.

NIFS will offer several commuter memberships to cyclists that give them the option to; use outdoor racks and shower facilities for $22.50/month; use secure, bike-size locker storage and shower facilities for $??/month; or use secure, bike-size locker storage, shower facilities and full-size indoor lockers for $77.50/month.

NIFS added its $22.50 commuter membership to its fitness offerings last year when it recognized it had a significant number of members cycling into its center, exercising, showering and then going on to work. “We believed offering a commuter package, which consists of a shower facility and place to change, would encourage more Hoosiers to move into a healthier lifestyle,” said Melanie Roberts, NIFS Fitness Center Director. “Adding BikePort’s secure and convenient bike storage to the NIFS facility is one way to further the NIFS mission of enhancing the health of our community and will expand the ability of commuters to bike to work downtown or visit park venues.”

A secure locker system will add a component of convenience to bikers’ journeys, as they won’t have to remove tires, seats or other expensive bike accessories that could be stolen when using exposed bike racks. Instead, once a user becomes a member of a park-by-phone system (used by all Indianapolis BikePort facilities), he or she can go on-line to check for locker availability, use their cell phone to secure a locker location, slide their bike into a locker, store their gear and be off to their activity in short order. This safe, secure and convenient system will also eliminate the need for carrying change or keys, making their ride that much more enjoyable.

The NIFS BikePort at White River State Park can be accessed from any trail in the Indy Parks Greenways system. Once at the BikePort, travelers can add a workout, visit Park attractions, or ride nearby IndyGo’s Red and Blue Line circulators to their office or to a downtown attraction.

“Indianapolis is one of the few major cities in which you can take bike trails from the outskirts of the city to the heart of downtown,” said Robert Whitt, executive director of the White River State Park Development Commission. “BikePort will provide an option to leave your bike in a secure locker while spending a day at the Park or downtown. White River State Park has always had great access and wonderful amenities for bikers. As we welcome the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and new Greenways trails, we will continue to look for ways to make cycling to the Park even easier.”

In addition to bike trails and green spaces, White River State Park is home to some of the city’s major cultural and entertainment venues, including the Indiana State Museum, IMAX Theatre, Indianapolis Zoo, White River Gardens, NCAA Hall of Champions and Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art.

The NIFS BikePort at White River State Park became possible through a partnership with the City of Indianapolis and a Federal Transportation Enhancement Grant TE. It was also the recipient of a Facade Improvement Program Grant, which was funded by Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.

Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association (IRMCA) was another major contributor to the NIFS BikePort at White River State Park. Using Indiana-based, green technology, MICA will showcase its pervious concrete pavement for the trail portion of the NIFS BikePort. Pervious concrete reduces runoff, replenishes aquifers, conserves water, protects streams and is ADA friendly. The concrete uses a soybean-based sealant that is environmentally safe and absolutely harmless to plants and animals. It is the most environmentally friendly product of its kind.

BikePort Partners also include the City of Indianapolis; INDOT; IUPUI; Central Indiana Commuter Services; BGI Fitness; IndyGo; Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.; Mussett, Nicholas & Associates; Ratio Architects; Greenways; and INShape Indiana.

For more information on NIFS BikePort at White River State Park, visit www.nifs.org/BikePort.asp. For more information on White River State Park, visit www.inwhiteriver.com; for more information on Indy Greenways trails, visit www.indygreenways.org. For more information on all Indiana BikePorts, including those at Denison Garages, visit www.inbikeport.org .

For more information on Smock Fansler, visit www.smockfansler.com.

For more information on pervious concrete, please contact Cheri Wagner
at 317.872.6302 at the Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association.

For more information on Cycle-Safe lockers, visit www.cyclesafe.com.
For more information on Clancy Park-by-Phone, visit www.park-by-phone.com.