Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Bike parking facility planned at Franconia-Springfield Metro Station
A similar bike parking facility, referred to as "Bike & Ride", is being constructed at the College Park Metro station. BikeLink is providing the parking system.
There will be approximately 30 U racks. WMATA is experimenting with two double-decker racks, similar to the Dero Decker, at the College Park station. If the single U racks are being used to capacity they can be replaced with additional double-decker racks. This could also be done at the Franconia-Metro station.
Access is controlled by a key card and hourly rates will be very affordable. The station will be accessible 24 hours, with a lower rate charged between evening and morning rush hours. This would allow commuters to arrive by Metrorail pick up their bike in the morning to ride to work. In the afternoon they would bike to the station from work to leave the bike overnight. A bicycle repair stand is also planned, similar to those installed in Cambridge, Mass.
Option 1 would require creating a new entrance where there is currently a wall. A new trail would also need to be built leading to the entrance. Another trail or sidewalk is needed to lead from the bike entrance to the station entrance since access through the garage is not planned.
Many cyclists also access the station from the south, parking on the opposite side of the tracks and walking into the station from there. There is limited room for expanding this parking.
This planned facility will be a great benefit to Metro patrons who bike to the station. We predict the racks will fill fast once people realize the benefits of having a secure, enclosed place to park their bikes. There are many other stations where this solution is needed, including Vienna and Dunn Loring, where the existing racks are often full and are not protected from the weather. This is a great step forward for WMATA.
We plan to visit the site in the near future to take a close look at the proposed locations. If you have comments on the proposed locations or on access to the locations, leave a comment here.
Labels: bike parking, bike station, wmata
Friday, October 2, 2009
Bike Transit Center opens at Union Station
The new bike parking station at Union Station opens today, with an opening ceremony at 11:30am.The center will have 150 enclosed bike racks and 20 outdoor racks. The 1,700-square-foot building west of the station will also have changing rooms, personal lockers, a bike repair shop and a retail store that will sell drinks and bike accessories.
The center will have 150 enclosed bike racks and 20 outdoor racks. The 1,700-square-foot building west of the station will also have changing rooms, personal lockers, a bike repair shop and a retail store that will sell drinks and bike accessories.
Riders interested in parking their bikes at the center can choose from several payment options. Cyclists can pay $2 to park for one day. Alternative plans include a $20 annual administrative fee. Riders can purchase $12 monthly parking passes, as well as discounted $1 day passes in bulks ranging from $10 to $50. Riders who purchase these passes will have access to the center during its regular operating hours, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Annual memberships and round-the-clock access to the racks may be purchased for $96.
Anyone interested in buying parking passes for the center may visit www.bikestation.com.
The center will have 150 enclosed bike racks and 20 outdoor racks. The 1,700-square-foot building west of the station will also have changing rooms, personal lockers, a bike repair shop and a retail store that will sell drinks and bike accessories.
Riders interested in parking their bikes at the center can choose from several payment options. Cyclists can pay $2 to park for one day. Alternative plans include a $20 annual administrative fee. Riders can purchase $12 monthly parking passes, as well as discounted $1 day passes in bulks ranging from $10 to $50. Riders who purchase these passes will have access to the center during its regular operating hours, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Annual memberships and round-the-clock access to the racks may be purchased for $96.
Anyone interested in buying parking passes for the center may visit www.bikestation.com.
Labels: bike station, union station
Monday, September 21, 2009
Bikestation at Union Station Now Taking Memberships
If you commute into DC and want to park your bike at Union Station, the new bikestation that is located adjacent to Union Station will open Friday, October 2. Membership registration is now open. From a DC Dept. of Transportation press release: Membership registration is now open for the Bikestation at Union Station. Memberships and 24/7 access are handled by the Bikestation Coalition, a national network of similar bike parking facilities. Interested cyclists can go to www.bikestation.com to register. Members will receive a card in the mail that will allow 24/7 access to the parking area. Introductory membership rates are $96 per year or $30 a month, plus a $20 annual administration fee.
The Bikestation, located on the west side of Union Station, is scheduled to open in the beginning of October and will offer bike parking, rentals, repairs and retail accessories. Bike and Roll, a local bike rental company, will operate the center and will provide the rentals, repairs, retail, and daily parking. See: www.bikeandroll.com for more information.
The Bikestation, located on the west side of Union Station, is scheduled to open in the beginning of October and will offer bike parking, rentals, repairs and retail accessories. Bike and Roll, a local bike rental company, will operate the center and will provide the rentals, repairs, retail, and daily parking. See: www.bikeandroll.com for more information.
Labels: bike station, union station
