Bike Transit Center: A Dream for Riders
Thursday, August 13, 2009 4:00 PM
Washington-area commuters who use bicycles as their main mode of transportation will soon have a much fancier place to park their bikes.
A $4 million Bike Transit Center is scheduled to open in October next to Union Station and will feature 150 enclosed bike racks - triple what is available at Union Station now, reports the Washington Post. (The photo above was taken by Bill O'leary for the WP).
The 1,700-square foot building will also sport dressing rooms, personal lockers, a bike repair shop and a retail shop that will sell bike accessories and drinks.
Access to the Bike Transit Center will cost riders $1 a day to get in and out from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or annual membership of $100 a year and 24/7 access to bike racks.
"To leave your bike outside unattended and unsecured was a problem. We needed more capacity and more security," Jim Sebastian, the District Department of Transportation's bicycle program (DDOT) coordinator, told the Washington Post.
The center will be first one on the East Coast. The U.S. Department of Transportation paid for 80 percent; the balance was paid for by DDOT.
About 87,500 people now use bikes as their main way to get around town - and supporters hope this new Bike Transit Center will encourage more bike riders.
Read more here.