In December, Metro installed new bike racks for over 100 additional bicycles at Metro stations, and more are on the way. We are trying to install racks where demand is high, space is available, and/or where we can fit bike parking under existing overhangs or shelters for weather protection. These actions represent initial steps under “Implementation Strategy 1” in Metro’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Element of 2012-2017 Capital Improvement Program, and have been taken up by Metro’s Plant Maintenance team (PLNT). PLNT has energetically taken on the role of installing these bike racks, which are in addition to their normal duties of grass mowing, snow removal, cleaning and painting, etc. Their work is a real support to the bicycle and pedestrian program!
So far we’ve installed at Benning Road, Silver Spring, Shaw-Howard U, West Hyattsville, and L’Enfant Plaza, and have scheduled more for January. We’ve been taking photos along the way:
Last week, Metro installed 32 new “U-Rack” bicycle racks at Vienna station, providing parking space for 64 additional bicyclists, nearly doubling bike parking capacity. The new racks are located on the north side of the station, in the direction of the parking garage. The installation is the latest in Metro’s overall Bicycle and Pedestrian Capital Improvement Program.
New bicycle racks at Vienna Metrorail station, with new space for 64 bikes. The existing racks at Vienna were often full or overflowing.
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Construction has begun for a Bike & Ride at College Park garage
This week, Metro’s contractor began constructing our first secure bicycle parking facility at the College Park garage. In the spirit of our “Park & Ride” facilities for vehicles, this facility will be called a “Bike & Ride.”
Temporary fencing is up around the site now while a new concrete slab is poured. Steel walls are being fabricated and will be installed over the coming weeks, along with new lighting, cameras, doors, and of course bike racks. We should be finished with construction this winter – unfortunately just as cold weather begins to discourage many cyclists, but the timing will allow us to work out any kinks before the spring. As with any pilot project, this will be a learning process for us and you, so bear with us as we work through the logistics. Read more…
Bicycle access is a key long-term access strategy to Metro’s services, and we are currently trying to triple the number of bicyclists accessing our network by 2020. As we develop plans for capital investment in bicycle and pedestrian facilities, we need good data on bicycle parking demand to tailor new facilities to each station. Our most recent bike parking counts were from 2006-2007, but a lot has happened since then.
So, taking a cue from from trail count data, we counted bikes and racks at rail stations over a six-week window of peak usage from May 1 to June 15 for a “bike parking census.” Each station was counted on a sunny, warm day typically between 9:30am and 3:00pm. We wanted to learn about the general availability of and demand for bike parking in station areas. For these counts, we specifically excluded bike lockers and the Union Station Bikestation, and focused just on racks. We wanted to know how easy it would be for a new bike-to-rail customer to easily find bike parking near a station. We counted each U-Rack as space for 2 bikes, and used our best judgment for wave, grid, post-and-ring, and other racks.
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Accessing secure bike parking with third-party equipment at Tri-Met. Photo courtesy of KTesh (click for original context)
Back in January, we asked for your opinions on how bicyclists could pay and get access to a pilot secure bicycle parking facility at College Park station. Thanks to you all for your great feedback. Planning for the project is actively underway, and we wanted to give a quick update.
Survey Says… The results from the (admittedly non-scientific) survey showed:
- A willingness to pay some small amount for the improved service
- Strong support for using your existing SmarTrip card
- A moderate preference for pay-per-use fees, rather than annual fees Read more…
Secure bike parking at TriMet Sunset Transit Center. Image from TriMet, click for original context.
Metro would like to pilot a secure bicycle parking facility at College Park station, and we want your feedback on some of the particulars related to its operation – namely, how bicyclists should access this “bike garage,” and what it should cost. We want this pilot project to teach us the ins-and-outs for building more similar facilities in the future.
Why are you building secure bike parking? Because we want you to feel safe leaving your bike at a Metro station, and sometimes our existing racks and lockers aren’t sufficient. This is a top request from our riders – since bikes are not allowed on-board trains at busy times, you need a safe place to leave your bike. Also, bike parking is a very cost-effective way for us to give you access to the station, especially compared to the cost of auto parking. Read more…
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