Bicyclists can now ride Metro rail with ease, secure in the knowledge their precious bike remains safe from the prying hands of thieves. Today, Metro opened it's first bike hub today at the El Monte Station, reports The Source. Instead of chaining their bikes to an unattended bike rack and hoping for the best, riders will have access to secured parking, retail sales, bike repairs, and rentals. It's all part of Metro's ambitious new bike program (which will eventually include a bike share system), and many more hubs are on the way.
Metro's press release about the El Monte bike hub boasts some impressive details about the new facility:
The new, $635,000, 1,100-plus square-foot facility is conveniently located in prime groundfloor retail space at the front of El Monte Station, the largest bus facility west of Chicago. The facility will provide a full suite of bicycle-related services, including controlled entry for 56 bicycles under closed-circuit TV surveillance, peak-hour staff availability, folding bike rentals, same-day repairs, accessory sales, and bike-related classes. The facility adds 60 percent more bicycle parking capacity to the station.
The Source also reports on plans for several other new bike hubs coming soon to Los Angeles:
The Hollywood/Vine Metro Red Line Station will be getting a new bike hub at the W Hotel with 72 secure bike parking spaces, bike repair services, and a small shop for parts and accessories. It's scheduled to open in mid-2016 on Vine Street, around the corner from the station entrance on Hollywood.
The Culver City Expo Line Station will be getting a hub in late 2016 near the intersection of Venice and Robertson; it'll be a standalone building with 64 spaces and attended services. With the 24 bike lockers already there, the Culver City station will increase its secure bike parking spaces total to 88.
Metro is also evaluating bid proposals for the operation of a bicycle hub facility that would feature 300 spaces and a retail bicycle shop with repair services at Union Station's North Arcade. The hub is expected to open in 2017. Because the hub would be integrated into historic Union Station, Metro is consulting its architects for design, architecture, engineering, and construction. Ken Pratt, Metro's director for Union Station property management says the hub will be "one of the most beautiful, friendly hubs on the West Coast." Metro is also interested in offering bicycle tours of Downtown. The Union Station Bike Hub is expected to open in 2017 or possibly sooner.
Metro plans to put the NoHo bike hub in it's newly restored Lankershim Depot. The hub would include customer service, bike repair, and retail, with at least 200 secure bike parking spaces. Design work is expected to begin in 2016, with a tentative opening date in 2018. —Jeff Wattenhofer
El Monte Bike Hub opens, featuring Metro's first secure bike parking station [The Source]
More "Metro Bike Hubs" Planned for Hollywood, Westside, DTLA, Valley [The Source]