Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 2, 2005

The Metro Transit Police Department offers bicycle security tips in preparation for ride your bike-to-work day on Friday, May 20th

As part of its continuing effort to remind customers of the importance of bicycle safety, the Metro Transit Police Department of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro), will be at Freedom Plaza on Friday, May 20th at 8 a.m. as part of "Ride Your Bike To Work Day" to provide valuable bicycle safety reminders.

The Transit Police will inform cyclists on theft prevention tips, bicycle safety, and Metro’s Bike-on-Rail and Bike-on-Bus programs. There will be a static display of a Metro bicycle rack and a Metrobus with a bicycle carrier. The Transit Police will show patrons how to secure their bicycles using a Metro style bicycle rack and how to attach their bicycles to the front of a bus equipped with a bicycle carrier.

Also on May 20th, the Transit Police will distribute free bicycle locks and registration cards at the East Falls Church, and Grosvenor-Strathmore Metrorail Stations for Metrorail customers between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.

"May is National Bike Month, and with National Bike-To-Work Day on Friday, May 20, we would like to take the opportunity to remind our patrons that properly locking their bicycles on our racks will reduce the number of bicycles stolen,"said Metro Transit Police Sergeant Warren Donald, who also heads up the Rail Anti-Crime Target Squad (RATS).

The Metro Transit Police would like to remind its customers of the following safety tips when securing bicycles to the bike racks at Metrorail stations:

  • Most bicycles are stolen because they are not locked. ALWAYS lock a bicycle, even when it is in an enclosed area.

  • Consider where and how long your bicycle must be parked when deciding how to secure it.

  • If a bicycle must be parked outside, lock the frame and both wheels to an immovable object. Do not lock it to a sign or other objects that can be easily unbolted, bent, cut or removed. Choose a well traveled, lighted place; thieves don’t like working in exposed areas.

  • Take all easily removed accessories when leaving a bicycle unattended.
  • Many lock manufacturers offer warranties that will cover the cost of replacement if a bicycle is stolen while using their lock.

    In addition to racks, many Metrorail stations have bicycle storage lockers, so customers can ride to a station, leave their bicycle and take Metrorail.

    Bicycle racks are available at no charge on a first-come, first-use basis. Most of the bicycle racks are a ’Rally Rack 3.’ To insure maximum safety, customers are encouraged to use a standard, medium-sized key padlock. Customers can then place the bicycle between the side bars, close the bars so that the prongs go through the frame, insert the lock through the hole in the center of the basket, then close the lock.

    Metro also provides bicycle lockers, which are available to rent for $70 per year plus a $10 key deposit. To rent a locker, customers should call Metro at 202-962-1116. All locker rentals are subject to availability.

    "We encourage all of our customers to properly secure their bicycles at any one of our train stations," said Sergeant Donald. "Anytime something unusual or suspicious occurs in the Metro system, our customers should always seek out a uniformed Metro employee, or contact the Metro Transit Police 24-hour communications center at (202) 962-2121."

    News release issued on May 2, 2005.