How much sun does a Cabi station need?

[PotomacCyclist]

Yes, every CaBi station is solar-powered.

This is the list of requirements for stations, according to BikeArlington:

Criteria for station locations include:

– 4+ hours of direct sunlight daily;
– at least 11’ x 32’ of space;
– between 2 – 5 blocks (500′ – 1,250′) from the nearest station;
– if on a sidewalk, minimum pedestrian clearance of 6’ is needed;
– if on-street, preference for being adjacent or near a bike lane;
– flat ground;
– would not block utility access, such as a manhole cover; and
– would not create a dangerous situation for street users.

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Is that location at Pollard St.? If so, then I wouldn’t even worry about your suggested location, because Arlington is already planning to add a station in Cherrydale (when the supply problems are resolved, due to the Bixi bankruptcy). One of their older Google Map overlays shows a planned station near Oakland St., at the Safeway or the hardware store. The exact location hasn’t been announced but it should be very close to your suggested location.

All of the participating jurisdictions had planned to expand their CaBi networks this year, but not much has happened because Bixi, the Canadian company that supplies the bikes and stations, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. Bixi Int’l was bought by a Canadian furniture magnate. Alta, the company that operates Capital Bikeshare and other bikeshare systems across the U.S., also reached an agreement with 8D Technologies (the co. that created the software used for CaBi) to start up a new partnership to supply equipment for existing and new bikeshare systems. So there might be two options in the future for equipment.

But for now, everyone is mostly waiting on bikes and stations. Arlington plans to add a few stations along Lee Highway and a few other locations in the County.

If and when the new Arlington CaBi stations are installed, I would be sure to check the CaBi website or the free SpotCycle smartphone app (Android and iOS) for bike and dock availability. That Cherrydale station could be isolated. I’d imagine that it might have dockblocking issues (the station being either completely full or empty), with empty docks in the morning rush and full in the evening rush. If there aren’t any new stations added nearby, the full/empty status could be a problem there.

[consularrider]

@StopMeansStop 87029 wrote:

… newly finished retail parking (and bike lane!)in front of Subway, The Teahouse and Kiterunner Cafe. That’s next to Browns Honda and the old firestation. 3 spots were added, but seemingly two long spots were left as “No Parking/Standing”. This was due to the sight lines being obstructed if vehicles parked there …

That may be one of the only places in the area where parking was eliminate because of sight lines, one of my pet peeves whether walking, cycling, or driving.

[dasgeh]

@StopMeansStop 87029 wrote:

Long time, no ride.

Anyhoo, I identified an interesting area for a Cabi station to be placed, but I was told it was a no go due to a building next to the spot.

The next time you are riding down Lee Hwy (29N) through Cherrydale, please look at the newly finished retail parking (and bike lane!)in front of Subway, The Teahouse and Kiterunner Cafe. That’s next to Browns Honda and the old firestation. 3 spots were added, but seemingly two long spots were left as “No Parking/Standing”. This was due to the sight lines being obstructed if vehicles parked there. As someone who lives there, I’m glad they signed it that way. However people being people, and space being space, people still do park/stand there.

I was going a Cabi station could go there. It would 1) prevent illegal parking 2) not obstruct the sight line 3) Make use unused space 4) A new Cabi station! 5) One near me!

Are all of the stations Solar powered?

Welcome! I’m in Cherrydale, too. We’ve been working for a while to find a spot for a CaBi station. The good news is that Safeway is _supposed_ to be constructing a concrete pad for the station near the Lee Hwy entrance to their parking lot. My understanding is that Safeway has been dragging its feet signing paperwork and getting the slab built. CaBi has the docks and bikes ready to go. The hope was to have it all in by tomorrow (the Discover Cherrydale event, which should be fun), but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.

I, too, would love to see the station by Kiterunner, but this is a good option.

[dasgeh]

@PotomacCyclist 87030 wrote:

Is that location at Pollard St.? If so, then I wouldn’t even worry about your suggested location, because Arlington is already planning to add a station in Cherrydale (when the supply problems are resolved, due to the Bixi bankruptcy). One of their older Google Map overlays shows a planned station near Oakland St., at the Safeway or the hardware store. The exact location hasn’t been announced but it should be very close to your suggested location.

See above. This one is Safeway’s fault, not Bixi’s

[Tim Kelley]

@consularrider 87038 wrote:

That may be one of the only places in the area where parking was eliminate because of sight lines, one of my pet peeves whether walking, cycling, or driving.

Just got some parking removed at Carlin Springs and N. Thomas Street due to poor sight lines too!

[Author]

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