If a city wants more people to commute by bike and leave their cars at home, how about providing a secure place for them to lock up when they arrive at their destinations? Private investors in New York City and Toronto’s city government are both currently addressing that necessary bit of lacking infrastructure.

In New York, where bicycle theft is bad enough that the Kryptonite lock company dubs their burliest effort the “New York City,” private investors hope that a bikes-only parking lot will be the answer. Daniel A. Biderman, president of the 34th Street partnership, has already found a Midtown location – on West 33rd Street between Eight and Ninth Avenues.

The parking lot would initially provide 100 spots, with the ability to expand as demand increased. An attendant would keep the facility secure and the bikes safe. There would be a monthly fee for regular users, but also some free spots for short-term visitors.

The missing piece for the lot is a title sponsor, which comes with a $200,000 price tag. McDonald’s fills that role for a similar program in Chicago. In addition to secured parking, Chicago’s bike station offers commuters showers and a locker.

Toronto’s city government has a similar idea for a bike storage facility to be located near Union Station. As Councillor Adrian Heaps told the Star, "We can't meet the demand there now. People are locking their bikes to trees, posts, stop signs, other bicycles."

The storage facility, which could be operational by May, will initially store up to 200 bikes. Users will access the facility by having their cards electronically scanned. Fees are still to be determined, but are expected to consist of a low annual membership.

If the facility proves popular, as it certainly will in bike-friendly Toronto, the city will consider adding showers, changing rooms, and even a staff of bike mechanics.

Via the NYTimes and the Star.

Photos via flickr by striatic & Lex in the City.

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brian goldner said:

I'm pretty sure the NYC krypto lock is called so b/c that's the only lock that's strong enough not to be cut. As such, Kryptonite will extend their anti-theft insurance ONLY for that one lock in NYC. All of their other locks have insurance in every other US city (SF might be an exception too tho)

January 30, 2008

Matty Lang said:

We'll be opening a Bike Station in Minneapolis this spring. The Minneapolis bike station will be located on a major regional commuter trail at a major regional employment center a few blocks outside of downtown with a high frequency transit connection to downtown. If it's successful the city plans to build a bike station downtown. The capitol costs for the project are being provided by a federal grant, county funds, city funds and some gifts from a couple of local corporations without naming rights.

January 30, 2008 | url

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