Dear Frank Devono,
Substituting bicycling for driving to MHS is one solution to the parking problem reported in today's Dominion Post. Providing secure sheltered bicycle storage, a shower, and a locker to store commuting stuff would facilitate cycling to school.
MHS currently provides driving students who drive and park on school property a $45/month benefit. The benefit may not be on the books but it is nonetheless real. Please consider reallocating at least a part of this benefit to students who ride their bikes to school in the form of a cash payment, voucher, or some other tangible reward. Have you considered some physical education credit? Morgantown has 2 League of American Bicyclists certified Cycling Instructors who would be happy to teach students to ride safely and confidently to school, if you need help.
Students who travel 5 miles or less to school, certainly 1 mile or less, could bicycle to school almost as easily and quickly as driving. Promoting the health and environmental benefits of riding a bike to school coupled with a student-led campaign to make it "cool" could possibly eliminate the parking problem as well as improve the health of the students.
Please contact me by replying to this message or by calling me at 304-376-0446 to realize this solution.
Frank Gmeindl Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board