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April 13, 2010
Perspectives on Bikes and Transit
Last year I had the opportunity to help draft the chapter on bicycle and transit integration in the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2035.
So when I learned that a University of Colorado researcher was organizing a focus group on the topic here in Portland, I asked for the chance to sit in. A couple of interesting insights:
- Even when there is room on a MAX train for bikes (empty hooks) some folks with bikes are reluctant to take their bikes on during rush hour because they feel like they are inconveniencing other passengers due to the crowding.
- Bike parking is too cheap! The $50-60 dollars that TriMet charges annually for a bike locker at a transit center is not expensive enough to discourage some folks who don't actively use them from continuing to hold the lockers. Users would happily pay more if it resulted in more lockers being built/available.
Posted by Chris Smith at 12:42 AM
Comments
April 13, 2010 8:13 AM
Daniel Ronan Says:
Perhaps demand of bike lockers is not the issue. It seems to me that the supply is rather low.
April 13, 2010 8:57 AM
Cora Potter Says:
I've been advocating for the "bike station" model for some of our MAX stops. I think it would be great to have one at Lents Town Center for commuters that are either coming from Clackamas County on the 205 Path or from Gresham via the Springwater.
Plus - there's potential for job creation, job training programs, co-housing bike rental and repair, and adding a little life to some of our station communities.
April 13, 2010 9:03 AM
Ed Says:
Could TriMet team up with a folding bike manufacturer to offer people a combination monthly pass / folding bike loan?
A user could probably pay off their bike in about a year, and the monthly cost to them would be less than a locker.
