Bikestation Opens in D.C. to Warm Welcome from Bicycling Advocates
Bikestation comes to Washington, D.C. Photo by Rhys Thom.
The large bicycle helmet-shaped structure — a project that’s been in the works for six years — outside of Union Station finally opened to the public during a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning attended by a veritable “who’s who “of Washington’s bicycling community. Members of DDOT, Mayor Adrian Fenty, Councilman Tommy Wells, and representatives of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) attended and showed their support.
“It’s a new vision for how we’re thinking through how a great, asset-rich urban environment should be,” Wells said.
Bikestation, a nonprofit organization based in Long Beach, Calif., unveiled its newest facility with the goal of reducing traffic congestion, reducing vehicular emissions, improving access to mass transit, and increasing transport options in the nation’s capital. Similar parking stations have already been built in Long Beach, Palo Alto, Berkeley, Seattle and Santa Barbara.
Evan Bender, a local bike commuter, checks out the interior of the new facility. Photo by Rhys Thom.
The ultra-modern, glass and steel building, sitting under the shadow of Union Station’s iconic columns, cost $3 million to construct (plus $1 million of associated site improvements) and will house approximately 130 bicycles. It was funded mostly by the Federal Highway Administration, with the goal of alleviating traffic and helping the environment. And it very well may work. Andrea White-Kjoss, the President and CEO of Bikestation, estimates that 30% of expected users will be former drivers, and 60% will bike more frequently than they did before the station’s existence.
The station provides lockers, a changing area, bike rentals, repair and maintenance, and of course, indoor parking. Members, who pay an annual fee, will have 24/7 access to the facility, while rentals and maintenance occur from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
During the fall and winter months, there will be three people staffing the facility: two mechanics to run the full-service repair shop, and one rental assistant to promote Bike and Roll tours of the city. Users will be able to fix a flat, repair a broken chain, or buy some gear, like reflective leg bands.
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