new lockers at metro stations

[Judd]

@trailrunner 187333 wrote:

I’ve been waiting for several years to get a bike locker at my local metro station. I recently asked for an update, and was told that they were going to transition to a new type of locker. The locker will be opened with a Smart Trip card, and instead of being rented yearly, they will be rented daily. I don’t know how much they will cost, or when they will be installed, or any other details.

Has anyone else heard about this?

Haven’t heard that but it’s interesting. In some ways it makes sense. For some folks they may not like the uncertainty of not having a locker.

This may present a challenge for the Metropolitan Washington Association of Blind Athletes who store multiple tandems at the Eastern Market metro which makes it easier to facilitate use.

I think I’d rather see bike cages that can provide additional security for a large number of bikes.

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[trailrunner]

Do the blind athletes store their bikes in the lockers while they’re riding metro?

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[Steve O]

@trailrunner 187335 wrote:

Do the blind athletes store their bikes in the lockers while they’re riding metro?

Only sort of. They arranged with WMATA to have larger lockers installed at Eastern Market and Bethesda to store the tandems between rides. They generally do ride Metro to get to the bikes, but for the most part the lockers are used as convenient storage.

As someone who participates on these rides, I hope that WMATA and MWABA are able to continue a good working relationship.

[ltierstein]

Questions that came to mind if/when the lockers are going to be rented by the day: (1) Would it be possible to rent for a series of days, eg, you’re going away for the weekend and want to leave the bike at metro? (2) It had better be possible to see which lockers are vacant without having to try each one — a computerized display? Or first you put your money (ok, SmartCard) in and then you get to see the lockers available? (3) And what happens if your bike is still in the locker when the time runs out?

Don’t know about other stations, but within the past year or so, WMATA actually reduced the number of lockers available at Clarendon. The reduction coincided with the installation of covered bike racks — not secure, but at least protected from the elements.

[bentbike33]

@ltierstein 187372 wrote:

Questions that came to mind if/when the lockers are going to be rented by the day: (1) Would it be possible to rent for a series of days, eg, you’re going away for the weekend and want to leave the bike at metro? (2) It had better be possible to see which lockers are vacant without having to try each one — a computerized display? Or first you put your money (ok, SmartCard) in and then you get to see the lockers available? (3) And what happens if your bike is still in the locker when the time runs out?

Don’t know about other stations, but within the past year or so, WMATA actually reduced the number of lockers available at Clarendon. The reduction coincided with the installation of covered bike racks — not secure, but at least protected from the elements.

On your 1 and 3, I’d think the SmartTrip card could be charged for the time between when the bike was put into the locker until it is removed (i.e., the same SmartTrip has to be used to get the bike out, otherwise how would access be controlled?).

[trailrunner]

@Steve O 187347 wrote:

Only sort of. They arranged with WMATA to have larger lockers installed at Eastern Market and Bethesda to store the tandems between rides. They generally do ride Metro to get to the bikes, but for the most part the lockers are used as convenient storage.

It sounds like they are using the lockers for their own personal long-term storage, and not as part of their regular commute.

Maybe that’s why I can’t get a locker at my metro station.

Correct me if I’m missing something.

[Steve O]

@trailrunner 187375 wrote:

It sounds like they are using the lockers for their own personal long-term storage, and not as part of their regular commute.

Maybe that’s why I can’t get a locker at my metro station.

Correct me if I’m missing something.

What you are missing is that the tandem lockers are additional and are specifically designed to hold oversized bikes. So any lockers at Eastern Market or Bethesda, where these additional lockers were installed, that you might have access to with a regular bike, are not affected.

[trailrunner]

@Steve O 187377 wrote:

What you are missing is that the tandem lockers are additional and are specifically designed to hold oversized bikes. So any lockers at Eastern Market or Bethesda, where these additional lockers were installed, that you might have access to with a regular bike, are not affected.

Got it. You didn’t say that they were in addition to the other lockers.

Still doesn’t seem like something metro should be doing, but not a big deal.

[Steve O]

@trailrunner 187333 wrote:

I’ve been waiting for several years to get a bike locker at my local metro station. I recently asked for an update, and was told that they were going to transition to a new type of locker. The locker will be opened with a Smart Trip card, and instead of being rented yearly, they will be rented daily. I don’t know how much they will cost, or when they will be installed, or any other details.

Has anyone else heard about this?

I have not. However, you should reply and suggest they update the information on the web site: https://www.wmata.com/service/bikes/

I would not hold your breath. The sense I’ve gotten over the years is that the bike locker program is monumentally mismanaged (or–to be fair–not managed at all). Given how long it has taken them to build the Bike ‘n Ride station at EFC (original expected completion date: December 2015; still under construction), it may be years before any of this happens.

This video also shows the rather optimistic schedule they had back in 2012:

[trailrunner]

@Steve O 187379 wrote:

I have not. However, you should reply and suggest they update the information on the web site: https://www.wmata.com/service/bikes/

I would not hold your breath. The sense I’ve gotten over the years is that the bike locker program is monumentally mismanaged (or–to be fair–not managed at all). Given how long it has taken them to build the Bike ‘n Ride station at EFC (original expected completion date: December 2015; still under construction), it may be years before any of this happens.

They told me that an announcement would be coming soon. I’m not holding my breath for that or the lockers themselves. I’m scheduled to retire in 2023, so that’s my benchmark.

Yes, the bike locker program is mismanaged. Getting my name on the waiting list seems like a fool’s errand. With all the people waiting for a locker at my station, they would have paid for themselves by now and would be turning a small profit. I also don’t understand why they aren’t at all stations. They are inexpensive, pay for themselves, are low maintenance, and have a small footprint.

[SarahBee]

@Steve O 187379 wrote:

I have not. However, you should reply and suggest they update the information on the web site: https://www.wmata.com/service/bikes/

I would not hold your breath. The sense I’ve gotten over the years is that the bike locker program is monumentally mismanaged (or–to be fair–not managed at all). Given how long it has taken them to build the Bike ‘n Ride station at EFC (original expected completion date: December 2015; still under construction), it may be years before any of this happens.

This video also shows the rather optimistic schedule they had back in 2012:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TbZpXCnlCs

But…. the College Park bike jail is oh so nice!!!!! I am a big fan. I’m sure EFC’s will be just as nice and over engineered when they finally complete it.

[n18]

It looks like Vienna Metro Bike & Ride room is going to be finished later this year, because they are rebuilding part of the parking lot. Picture as of December 3rd, but nothing seems to have changed:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]19418[/ATTACH]

[Steve O]

Hey Peoples,

Sort of like a baby pool, where people guess the actual arrival date of a baby, I hereby announce the Vienna Bike and Ride, Predict-the-Date office pool. Winner gets a beverage of their choice at happy hour or coffee club on me.

Rules:
– Predict the date the Vienna Bike and Ride officially opens for business to the general public. One date per person.
– Closest date wins. In the case of a tie, both players win.
– PM or email or text me your date. If you post your date here, keep in mind that others can game the system by selecting a nearby date.
– To reduce gaming, you may not select a date that is within 14 days of a date that has been posted here, because someone did not read the previous bullet.

If the actual date occurs during Freezing Saddles 2020 or 2021 or beyond, there may also be a Pointless Prize.

(Click here to get some insight)
@n18 187402 wrote:

It looks like Vienna Metro Bike & Ride room is going to be finished later this year, because they are rebuilding part of the parking lot. Picture as of December 3rd, but nothing seems to have changed:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]19418[/ATTACH]

[ginacico]

@Steve O 187418 wrote:

– Predict the date the Vienna Bike and Ride officially opens for business to the general public. One date per person.

12/31/2025. I’ll give them that long to finish all the track work and upgrades before bike infrastructure gets any real attention.

So the one at East Falls Church never got completed either? I gave up on it when I moved away from there 3 years ago.

[Steve O]

@ginacico 187425 wrote:

So the one at East Falls Church never got completed either? I gave up on it when I moved away from there 3 years ago.

They restarted work a couple of months ago. Maybe it will open this spring?

[Author]

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