From a Metro Release:
DO YOU WALK OR BIKE TO METRO?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO?
Learn more and share your ideas at a Public Workshop on Metro’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Planning Study.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO?
Learn more and share your ideas at a Public Workshop on Metro’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Planning Study.
- Offer your suggestions
- Discuss study objectives
- Help us improve access to Metro stations
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
5:30 - 8:30 p.m. — Presentation at 6:30 p.m.
Metro Headquarters — Lobby Meeting Room
600 5th Street, NW — Washington, DC 20001
Location is wheelchair accessible. If you require these materials in an alternate format or need special assistance such as an interpreter or any additional accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact the Office of Civil Rights at 202-962- 1082 (TTY: 202-638-3780) by July 15, 2009 so Metro can make the necessary arrangements.
5:30 - 8:30 p.m. — Presentation at 6:30 p.m.
Metro Headquarters — Lobby Meeting Room
600 5th Street, NW — Washington, DC 20001
Location is wheelchair accessible. If you require these materials in an alternate format or need special assistance such as an interpreter or any additional accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact the Office of Civil Rights at 202-962- 1082 (TTY: 202-638-3780) by July 15, 2009 so Metro can make the necessary arrangements.
- Reevaluate the rush-hour restriction. New York asks cyclists to avoid rush-hour, but does not ban them. "Consideration for others along with reasonable judgment help produce a safer, more comfortable environment for everyone,including bicyclists." I think we have room for more access that is considerate. San Francisco limits the stations and lines (highlighted on the schedule here) bikes can use, but it's not a wholesale ban.
- Both of the above systems also allow bikes to be carried up and down stairs. It's worth considering and if they decide to allow them - make bicycle troughs (like this) mandatory at all new stations (Dulles) or upgrades. Also look at bicycle escalators for new stations.
- On train bike storage (not a bike car but hooks like in the picture)
- More bike lockers - there should rarely be a waiting list. If more cyclists want lockers, build more lockers. And a few large lockers capable of storing recumbents, recumbent trikes and other odd sized bikes.
- Add short-term secure bike storage (lockers like bikelink picture below, 'bike trees', etc...) and maybe even smaller lockers for helmets, that can be rented by the hour instead of the month. You can even add online locker reservation (a.la. zipcar) for people worried that they won't get a locker when they need it. And make it payable (and unlockable) with your SmartCard. This makes paying easier and also allows people to pay for it with their transit benefit.
Covered bike parking for those not using lockers. And, where appropriate, in-station bicycle parking. All non-locker parking should be made more secure with surveillance and police presence.
- Bike parking at bus stops (as appropriate).
- No other system that I could find requires that folded bikes be placed inside a carry-on bag. Remove that rule - which is rarely enforced.
- San Francisco clearly states its policy on where a folding bike must be folded "During commute hours, folding bikes must be folded before entering the paid area at the Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, and Civic Center San Francisco Stations, and the 12th and 19th Street Oakland Stations. At all other stations, they may be folded on the platform, but must be folded before boarding a train." and allow passengers to roll their bike to the platform at stations where it makes sense. Metro has no policy, but should model it after San Francisco's.
- Each station should have a bicycle mobility plan with trails, maps, signs etc...
- [Done] Make sure there are bike racks on EVERY bus. There are supposed to be, but some people have told me they've found buses without them Do a study to determine if any buses need three-bike bus racks
- Bicycle Maps in Metro Stations (or by the bike parking) and at some bus stops
- Look at Bike Stations at more Metro stations - especially new stations (like the W&OD adjacent Wiehle Avenue) and those that intersect trails (Bethesda, National Airport, West Hyattsville etc...)
- Regularly count overall bike usage at stations (numbers on trains, at racks and lockers, on buses) Create a standard evaluation tool that forces them to systematically consider walking and bicycling issues as part of infrastructure decision making and planning going forward, for stations, rail and bus equipment, shelters and stops, and maps and wayfinding systems.
- Install signage to discourage people who aren't a) disabled b) a cyclist with a bicycle c) a pedestrian with a stroller or luggage from using the elevators.
- Make sure all the Bike-on-Rail Guidlines placards are up to date with the current rules.
Oh no! Not a bicycle standing vertically on its back tire. I had a Metro employee try to confiscate my bike because that's how I was walking my bike down the platform. He said it was some sort of rule. He didn't get my bike.
Posted by: Brendan | July 07, 2009 at 05:26 PM
Sometimes when the elevator at Takoma is crowded, I will put my bike up so that more people can cram in. Other riders have done it too. But I haven't seen it done elsewhere in the system.
Posted by: Richard Layman | July 07, 2009 at 05:48 PM
I put my bike on the back wheel on the elevator all the time - especially if I'm riding the elevator with people who are unwilling (but probably able) to walk to the escalator - otherwise I'd get off and wait for the next one.
Posted by: Washcycle | July 07, 2009 at 06:14 PM