Urban Bicycle Facilities

Ladies and the MRs,

Our local cycling coalition is gathering data concerning a proposal for a public bicycle facility. They are inspired by neighboring Chicago's Millennium Park Bike Station. However, we are trying to determine what is feasible on a smaller scale. They are aware of Bikestation not-for-profit organization as a resource. However, they would like input from people who have such a resource available. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.

My questions to you are:
1) Does your municipality have any type of public bicycle facility?
2) Where is this?
3) Briefly describe the municipality's demographics.
4) What is your experience with the facility?

Thanks!

http://bikeportland.org/2008/08/13/i...bike-republic/

even though the reporter jumped the gun a bit, I think you migh find this useful.

e

Not the same as the bike stations you're talking about, but Washington DC just because the first city in the U.S. with SmartBike bike rentals.

https://www.smartbikedc.com/default.asp

You pay $40 per year for membership and they send you a card which you take to one of their locations. You swipe the card, take a bike and ride it for up to 3 hours, then return it to any one of their locations. The bikes are designed for people to ride them in regular clothes without getting dirty (bit fenders and chain guards).

They just put in a bikestation(www.biketstation.com) at Claremont.
I was all jazzed when my key arrived last night
I got there, used my key. and the door was still locked:(
So I rode home fell on some sand, :eek: and then wound up driving in :mad: (missed the last train for about 2 hours, Thank Metrolink)
I did call them up, and they think the city locked it up. I'm hoping this work, as this waY I won't have to wake up in the middle of the night to get a weekday ride in.
(did I mention my cycle computer died, too?:confused:) maybe I should have stayed in bed.....

Bike Parking Experience 1: Bikestation/Bike Port, Seattle, WA
1) Does your municipality have any type of public bicycle facility?
Yes.

2) Where is this?
Seattle, in Pioneer Square. It used to be a Bikestation location, but has recently changed to Bike Port. The Bicycle Alliance of Washington administrates it: http://www.bicyclealliance.org/aboutbaw/bikeport.html

3) Briefly describe the municipality's demographics.
Errr... fairly large and with a very active bicycling population.

4) What is your experience with the facility?
I actually work in the back room there. :p Ohhhh, you meant using it? They have a swipe card to get in for 24-hour access. The racks are a little difficult to use, as you have to do some lifting to get them in the upper spots, and there's a trick to getting them to lock in place and not whack you in the face. However, it also has lockers and a bathroom for changing (no shower). Also there's a bike shop in part of the space and it's open from 9 - 5. I've been very satisfied with it and I feel secure leaving my bike locked up there.

Bike Parking Experience 2: Commuter Connection, Bellevue, WA
1) Does your municipality have any type of public bicycle facility?
Yes.

2) Where is this?
In the Bellevue Transit Center: http://www.chooseyourwaybellevue.org...connection.php

3) Briefly describe the municipality's demographics.
Medium-sized city but not particularly heavy on the bicyclists. This isn't a a very big bike parking facility, and it's never filled up when I've used it.

4) What is your experience with the facility?
They too have a swipe card to get in for 24-hour access. They're different racks, where you hang your bike by one wheel, and for some reason I have a hard time with that. So maybe it's just my ineptitude for all bike storage methods speaking there. Anyway, they have a bicycle mechanic come in once a week and set up there, but otherwise it's only staffed for 2 hours per day. They have a bathroom for changing and small locking baskets that fit a helmet or a pair of shoes, but no showers or lockers lockers. Because it's inside with card-key access only, I feel safe leaving my bike locked up there during the workday.

I have contact info for people at Bike Port Seattle and Bellevue Commuter Connection if you'd like.

Looks like bike sharing has been attempted in Edmonton, but they are currently re-thinking the program, since the non-profit that ran the program could not keep up with bike thieves:
http://www.peoplespedal.org/

This was all before I moved here, so I have no personal experience with the system, though I have noticed their bike racks around town.

Not sure what you are interested in terms of demographics, but here is what the city provides:
http://www.edmonton.ca/business/econ...mographic.aspx

here's the Claremont station:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S4...0/101_0569.jpg
and inside::)
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S4...0/101_0572.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S4...0/101_0573.jpg
There's also a water Fountain and storage lockers
And it's across the Street from a bike shop:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vuerRrNlUQI/S4...0/101_0575.jpg
I'm probably going to get an underseat rack put on my Giro20, as it is a tourinng bike, and I really wasn't happy with a backpack. Unless I give in, cash in CD and buy a Novara Randonee or a Dahon:p
Will report more monday night!

It was my day off! , so no train journey :)

1) Does your municipality have any type of public bicycle facility?
No- I use one in a neighboring city/county
2) Where is this?
Claremont,Los Angeles county, Ca - Bikestation
3) Briefly describe the municipality's demographics.
Upper Middle Class Univeristy Town - very green leaning and
4) What is your experience with the facility?
Very good
24 hour access with e-key, racks for about 70 bikes, storage lockers, tools and repair stand on site.
Bike shop across street
No changing facilties