Back-in parking has arrived

The weather cooperated over the weekend allowing for work crews to lay the second asphalt seal and install back-in diagonal parking and bike lanes on Main Avenue on Sunday, June 24 and Monday, June 25.

For information about how to use the back-in parking, the City of Sisters has developed a short video which can be accessed from the City's website at http://www.ci.sisters.or.us.

Back-in works just like parallel parking: First, signal a right turn to alert the driver behind you. Second, pull past the parking spot and stop. Third, back-in to the spot.

According to the City of Sisters, the benefits of back-in parking include improved visibility and field of vision when leaving the parking spot, decreased number of accidents with other vehicles and bicycles, improved safety for children as the vehicle door blocks them from darting into the travel lane, and improved access to curb ramps for disabled drivers.

"The Main Avenue improvement project precedes the US 20/Cascade Avenue improvement project that will get underway in fiscal year 2013-14," said City Manager Eileen Stein. "In order to maximize sidewalk widths and retain parking on Cascade Avenue, ODOT permitted an exception to that project by allowing bike lanes on Main Avenue instead."

Reverse angle, or back-in, parking creates a safer environment for bicyclists and others; it is used in many communities throughout the United States, added Stein.

Stein noted that the sheriff's office won't be out giving tickets to people who park improperly - yet.

"...Through the summer season, the (sheriff's office) will take an educational approach, recognizing that this is a new change for people and that we'll have tourists and visitors in town," Stein said. "The main focus for now is in helping people understand how to correctly park this way. "

For more information visit http://www.ci.sisters.or.us and click on the link to see the updated project information or call Paul Bertagna, director of public works, at 541-323-5212.