Metro News Release
For immediate release: February 10, 2011
Metro aims to increase number of people who bike, walk to Metrorail stations
Study recommends ways to improve, bicycle, pedestrian access
Metro is aiming to increase the number of people who bike or walk to a Metrorail station by making a number of cost-effective investments in bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the coming years.
According to a recent Metrorail Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Improvements Study, about 39 percent of Metrorail riders arrive at a station during the morning rush hour by automobile, 33 percent arrive by walking, 22 percent arrive by bus, 4 percent arrive by commuter rail and less than 1 percent arrives by bicycle.
“Encouraging more people to leave their cars at home and bike or walk to Metro is good for the environment and it’s more cost-effective for our customers and for Metro,” said Metro General Manager/Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles.
In order to improve bicycle and pedestrian access to the Metrorail system, the study made several recommendations, which the Metro Board Policy, Program Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee was briefed about today, Feb. 10.
Study recommendations include making improvements that would triple bicycle access to the Metrorail system by 2020 and quintuple it by 2030; providing covered, secure bicycle parking facilities; ensuring joint development designs provide safe and convenient access for pedestrians and bicyclists; and coordinating with local jurisdictions to ensure safe connections to Metrorail stations.
Currently, about 1,600 Metrorail riders access the rail system by bicycle. Metro officials would like to see that increase to 12,000 riders by 2030 to accommodate projected Metrorail ridership growth.
Metro has about 1,700 bicycle racks and an additional 1,270 key-operated bicycle lockers located throughout the Metrorail system at 86 stations. Racks are available for free on a first-come, first-use basis. Lockers, which provide added protection from theft, vandalism and inclement weather, may be rented for $200 annually plus a $10 key deposit.
Commuters who park weekdays at Metro-operated parking facilities pay at least $1,000 annually to park at a Metrorail station – about five times more than those who pay for a bike locker.
In addition, the cost to accommodate more bicycle parking at Metrorail stations is extremely low compared with automobile parking. Construction of secure bike parking can cost anywhere from 20 to 100 times less than a new space for an automobile in a parking garage.
Metro’s preliminary FY2012-FY2017 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes $9 million to improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including bicycle parking, infrastructure upgrades and signage. Final adoption of the CIP is expected in June.
Top Ten Metrorail Stations Accessed by Bicycle
1. East Falls Church
2. Medical Center
3. Bethesda
4. Silver Spring
5. Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan
6. Friendship Heights
7. West Hyattsville
8. Dunn Loring-Merrifield
9. Ballston-MU
10. Vienna/Fairfax-GMU
News release issued at 4:52 pm, February 10, 2011.