Hollister
– The key to maneuvering through rally traffic and finding a
parking spot over the weekend?
Hollister – The key to maneuvering through rally traffic and finding a parking spot over the weekend?
Patience, city and rally officials are saying.
The influx of bikers is drawing additional traffic congestion and fewer parking options to a usually quiet downtown Hollister. City officials have worked to alleviate the problems, providing traffic flow maps and alternative routes, but some locals living close to the downtown area still have concerns.
Yvette McShane, who lives close to the rally on West Street, said she’s not concerned about the increase in motor vehicles over the weekend.
“We have a garage and an alley next to our house, so we’re not worried – we’re actually excited,” McShane said.
“It will be kind of crazy going in and out of town, but we don’t plan to leave all weekend,” she said.
This was echoed by other neighbors.
Patricia Arballo, who lives on Sixth Street, said while she expected more cars and motorcycles in front of her house, she wasn’t concerned, either.
“It happens every year,” she said.
Despite McShane and Arballo’s enthusiasm, Associate Civil Engineer David Rubcic, who handles traffic for Hollister’s Engineering Department, said he had gotten calls from people living close to the rally who are worried about parking and traffic in their neighborhoods. The engineering department had tried to address most problems, but he acknowledged congestion still would be an issue.
Hollister’s Engineering Department has placed signs to help direct traffic for the weekend.
“They’re hanging a ton of signage because they’re trying to mitigate the congestion problems,” said Cheryl Mullen, senior technician with the office.
Mullen was confident locals would be able to maneuver around the event, but said they should plan extra time for any travel.
“The only thing that is going to be 100 percent effective is a little bit of patience,” she said.
Patience also will come in handy when searching for a parking spot downtown.
In the past, motorcyclists would park on San Benito Street. This year it has been closed to vehicles, pushing motorcycle parking to the outside streets.
Hollister Motorcycle Rally promoter Seth Doulton said with the addition of VIP parking on Sixth and Seventh streets, there would be more motorcycle parking available than in years past.
“Where there used to be vendors, now there’s bike parking,” Doulton said.
Doulton also said both East and Sally streets will be available for motorcycle and car parking.
Those who work in the downtown area will have to park outside the rally area. Residents surrounding San Benito Street also may have a harder time finding spots right outside their homes.
“People that live in the areas that are going to be affected – if they want to park in front of their house, they should grab that spot early,” Rubcic said. “We can’t reserve any spots because it is public parking.”
Rubcic said police will be available to handle parking problems if driveways get blocked.
