Sometimes good things come from bad things. This story from last fall of a guy who parked his bike at the airport only to return and find it had been cut into pieces has resulted in a change in federal law that enables airports to get funding for bike parking. Oberstar made this happen, just as he promised then:
At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Oberstar said that two words would be added to the next Federal Aviation Administration trust fund.
"Bicycle storage," Oberstar said of the addition he vows to make to the $3.5 billion fund.
The story in the Post reports on the change in the authorization bill
On page 13 of the 168-page bill needed to fund the Federal Aviation Administration and its next-generation air traffic control system, Oberstar ensured that bicyclists and their rides were being represented.
The bill would allow airports to use federal funds -- which are usually tapped to build terminals and parking garages -- to construct bicycle storage facilities for passengers.
But Del Quinton Wilber was maybe too sarcastic for me.
If the bicycle language becomes law, serious questions will soon emerge. Who would ever want to ride a bike to the airport? How would you get your luggage there -- in a side car?
Umm...for starters, how about employees? I've ridden to DCA to buy tickets and I have friends who do it often, in fact one sent the author this message - which I'll steal out of lazyness:
I commend Rep. Oberstar for his efforts. Getting people out of cars and onto bikes should be one of the primary goals for policymakers.
Reagan National does indeed have bike racks and direct access from one of the best bike trails in the region. Riding to DCA from Capitol Hill takes less than 30 minutes - about the same amount of time as riding the Metro. It's easy for the hundreds of thousands of residents who live within 10 miles of the airport. And it fills a transportation gap for those early-morning weekend flights that leave before the Metro opens. Light luggage can be strapped to your bike rack, or you can carry a backpack.
Unfortunately, Reagan National did 99% of the work, but failed in the end. Yes, there are dedicated, well-marked bike lanes, and even a bike tunnel under the airport access road leading to the primary bike parking area. Unfortunately, the bike parking is located just *outside* the massive parking garage, leaving bikes exposed to the elements. Why not move the bike parking closer to the check in or baggage claim? Travelers would see the high-profile bike parking, increasing the likelihood that they might consider biking to the airport as an effective means of transit.
So thank you Del Quentin Wilber for bringing attention to the story. But next time, perhaps we appreciate a less sarcastic tone ("Who would ever want to ride a bike to the airport? How would you get your luggage there -- in a side car?") that would land Oberstar's legislation in the "News of the Weird" and one that acknowledges exactly how progressive he truly is.
Phoenix has a nice bike parking area. I'll try to get a photo of it next week.
Good follow up on this story.
Is it even possible to ride to Dulles Airport? Unless there are service roads leading to the rental car area I'm not sure it's even legal to cross to the access road and ride into the airport zone. It certainly isn't safe, that's for sure.
Posted by: Graham | July 17, 2007 at 08:44 AM
Ive noticed in many European airports the airport service personell regularly use bicycles.Why not have cargo bicycles to go to and fro the terminals in addition to electric vehicles or moving walkways?People in this country are fat- as&ed and lazy- and not very innovative when it comes to ideas like this. This congressman is moving in the right direction- but it is too little...The exception to this- the people that actually build the jetliners- if you ever go to the Boeing factory in Everett Washington- they use bicycles to move around on the factory floor- acceptance by the most high tech and sophisticated factory in the world says something here.We need to change our culture.
Posted by: w | July 17, 2007 at 11:28 AM
I actually saw them using cargo bicycles here in Phoenix so it is happening in the states. I have no idea how wide-spread it is.
Dulles is not easy to get to. I rode out to the Air and Space annex once. More than a little bit scary (despite the Wright brothers history) and I wouldn't recommend it. There is tons of bike parking though.
When they built Dulles, they used the W&OD railroad and a spur to the airport to deliver supplies. Once they were done they removed all the trackage. Who would want a railroad going to the airport? I wonder where that spur was and if it could be used to connect the W&OD trail to the airport.
Posted by: washcycle | July 17, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Washcycle- you see the light. I've been harrassing my friends and others for years about the unused WO&D railroad.It is really disgusting that in this country we actually abandon railroads..we seldom abandon highways- something is clearly out of place. If my memory serves me - I saw somewhere that all USA rail rights of way have to be 200 feet wide- this could more than allow another set of Metro or commuter tracks- and an upgraded bike trail alongside of it.And why not an express train- or even a Maglev train? Of course- the authorities would study it to death for 30 years- while in the meantime they take 5 years to plan, finance and construct a highway or major bridge crossing that costs billions.Yes- the WO&D should be re-used as RAIL !!!
Posted by: w | July 17, 2007 at 01:05 PM
http://abandonedrailroads.homestead.com/WOD_VA.html
I don't know why this isn't being used. That's just stupid. They should put down some new track, at least to the airport. Laying down track doesn't cost very much, compared to building roads, and it lasts longer.
Posted by: Lee Watkins | July 17, 2007 at 04:24 PM
Lee- how right you are. Highways are more expensive than rail per mile.It is inertia,lack of imagination, not having a proper example of how it could actually improve things- - and believe it or not- in New Jersey people are fighting a new rail line as they see it as CAUSING more suburban sprawl.Boy are these people mis-guided and out to lunch.
Posted by: w | July 17, 2007 at 05:13 PM
Hmmm, I wonder if they'll add airplane parking at bike shops.
But riding to the airport isn't crazy. If you just have carry-on luggage and don't want to pay the exorbitant parking rates, it's a great idea.
Posted by: Jack | July 18, 2007 at 05:19 PM
I could easily carry all of my luggae on my bicycle- provided that there was parking for my bike at the airport.
Posted by: w | July 20, 2007 at 12:29 PM
Regarding my luggage on my bike, I imagine the question depends on how long my trip is.
Of course, the big problem would be how to pack my bike. I have a break-away bike that fits into a handy-dandy airline approved suitcase - it's got wheels; so I suppose I could hook it up to my bike and run it behind me, then take the bike apart at the airport. But then bike parking wouldn't matter. :)
Posted by: Chris | July 20, 2007 at 12:40 PM
folding bikes are the future- and would even help to clear out that crowded bike parking facility at Amsterdam Railroad station.
Posted by: w | July 20, 2007 at 02:06 PM
A folding bike would work in such a situation quite nicely. To be clear, however, my break-away bike is not a folding bike. It's a road bike that comes apart and fits in a piece of luggage. It's pretty cool, and I've started to take it with me whenever I go far away - I can't wait to take it to Paris some time!
Posted by: Chris | July 20, 2007 at 02:08 PM