Urban Bicycle Facilities

[susan.wells]

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!

[elk]

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

[ny biker]

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).

[Fredwina]

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, and then wound up driving in (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?) maybe I should have stayed in bed.....

[kfergos]

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. 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.

[NbyNW]

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