Metro installs new bike lockers at 10 transit facilities

Metro has installed new on-demand bicycle lockers at 10 of its transit facilities, thanks to a federal Transportation Enhancement grant.  These facilities include:

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- Aurora Village Transit Center
- Eastgate P&R
- Issaquah Highlands P&R
- Kenmore P&R
- Northgate Transit Center
- Renton Transit Center
- S. Kirkland P&R ( to open when new parking garage opens in August)
- S. Renton P&R
- S. Sammamish P&R
-Tukwila P&R

In most cases, the lockers are an addition to the existing bank of lockers, giving transit passengers more choice.

Cost to users

Users will need to purchase a $20 access card, which can be purchased on-line from the vendor (Bikelink) or locally from The Bicycle Alliance of Washington. With this card, users can access any available locker in the bikelink system, including lockers in other cities and states.  The cost of $0.05 per hour will be debited from the card each time a locker is used.

What Metro already offers

Metro currently has approximately 240 assigned bike lockers, accessed with a key, at almost 30 transit facilities, mostly park-and-ride lots and transit centers.   Users sign a lease and pay a one-time, refundable key deposit of $50.  A locker is then assigned to that individual as long as they agree to use the locker an average of three days per week.  The lease must be renewed each year.

Why this is a cool thing

Traditional bike lockers represent an inefficient use of resources.  Transit agencies throughout the country have found that even when reserved bike lockers have high rental rates, the actual daily use remains low since users have no incentive to turn in their key if not using their locker.  On-demand bike lockers serve five to seven times more users than assigned bike lockers.

On-demand lockers provide greater flexibility to users.  Once users have an access card, they can make spontaneous decisions about riding to a transit facility and pay only for the amount of time they use.  Furthermore, they are able to use any available on-demand locker in the system, rather than being restricted to one location.

On-demand lockers could encourage more people to try out cycling without making a long-term commitment.   Cyclists can use on-demand lockers on a space-available basis, rather than having to commit to ride three or more days per week.

Metro will be testing these lockers over a three-year period, evaluating user acceptance, maintenance issues, usage rates, and pricing.

To learn more about this project, go to www.kingcounty.gov/metro/bike.