Metro is preparing to kick a multi-phase update of its bicycle parking facilities into gear later this year.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will install hundreds of new bicycle lockers and racks at 74 different stations, replacing amenities that, in some cases, date back to when the stations were first constructed 30 to 40 years ago.
To gather input on which storage facilities it should use, Metro will host a public demonstration at the NoMa station near Union Market in downtown D.C. from 3-7 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).
“Bicyclists can try out and provide in-person feedback on the options from multiple vendors that include standard and oversized bike lockers and different types of self-locking bicycle racks,” Metro said in a press release.
According to the release, the upgrades will unfold over “several years” and consist of 450 on-demand bicycle lockers, 50 oversized on-demand bicycle lockers, 100 on-demand bicycle racks and 800 new bicycle racks.
The on-demand lockers will be available to rent via mobile app at a rate of five cents per hour or up to $1 per day, a change from the current system that requires lockers to be rented on a yearly basis. WMATA has already stopped accepting new lease applications for its existing lockers in anticipation of the upgrades.
Metro says the on-demand, hourly rental lockers will provide “a secure, inexpensive, and convenient solution for bike parking,” noting that anyone currently leasing a locker will be notified before the facilities are changed.
Other planned upgrades include additional cargo bike parking, repair stations and a pilot project to test self-locking bicycle racks:
Increased oversized bike parking: Recognizing the growing demand for cargo bike parking, we are expanding the number of oversized bicycle lockers from two to 50. Each of the 74 stations with bike parking will also have two designated oversized bicycle parking spaces marked next to traditional racks.
Self-locking bicycle rack pilot project: We are launching a pilot project featuring smart bicycle racks with a self-locking mechanism that secures the bike at both the wheel and frame. These smart racks will be available free of charge and can be accessed via an app.
Repair stations: To support our bicycle customers further, each of the 74 stations will be equipped with a new repair station for basic bike maintenance and flat tire repairs.
An exact schedule for when the new bicycle facilities will be installed and which stations will get them first isn’t available yet. But a Metro spokesperson confirmed that the Dunn Loring, Franconia, Huntington, McLean, Spring Hill, Tysons, West Falls Church, Vienna and Wiehle-Reston East stations will all get the upgrades.
Outside of the bicycle parking overhaul, WMATA says its “Fleet of the Future” will better incorporate bicycling. Previewed this spring and expected to go into service in 2028, the new 8000-series trains will feature designated areas for riders to park bicycles, strollers and luggage.
“Metro continues to invest in bike parking as we aim to increase the number of customers who bike to stations to 3.5% of all customers by 2030,” WMATA said. “This initiative is part of Metro’s ongoing commitment to improving bike accessibility and enhancing the commuting experience for our customers.”
