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Metro Stations Are Getting Cool Bicycle Hubs With Parking, Rentals and Repair
Metro just unveiled a new secure bicycle parking center in El Monte and more are on the way for stations around L.A. County.
On Monday, Metro officially opened the very first “Metro Bike Hub”—a huge facility in El Monte—which offers secure bike parking, folding bike rentals, same-day repairs and more. The 1,100-plus square-foot facility is located on the ground floor of the El Monte Station, the largest bus facility west of Chicago, according to Metro's blog The Source. The new bicycle hub—and others planned for Hollywood, Culver City and elsewhere—will offer commuters who are looking to ride their bikes and use Metro more secure parking and helpful services, making riding easier.
Just a few more photos of the El Monte Station bike hub...stay tuned for video in half an hour! pic.twitter.com/CGLrIXb5KQ
— LA Metro (@metrolosangeles) September 14, 2015
The new El Monte space will offer controlled entry and parking for 56 bikes—60 percent more than before—which will be monitored by closed-circuit surveillance and peak hour staff. There's also a shop that sells bike accessories, tires, locks and other gear. In addition to the service shop for repairs, there will also be bike-related classes offered. Outside of the facility, there will also be secured bike repair tools and an air pump for quick self-fixes or when the hub is closed. The secure bike lockers will be available 24/7 to registered users for a $5 weekly, $12 monthly or $60 yearly fee.
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"This bike hub is a win-win. It will make our system more bike friendly and allow more commuters to ditch their cars," Mark Ridley-Thomas, L.A. County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair explained in a press release about the El Monte hub. "Not only that, it will reduce air pollution, and offer our commuters quick and easy access to this regionally important transit hub."
Similar Metro Bike Hubs are planned for several other stations around the county in the coming years, according to The Source. The next one is expected to be added to the Hollywood/Vine Metro Red Line Station sometime around mid-2016. The hub will have 72 secure bike parking spaces, bike repairs, and a small shop for accessories and parts. In late 2016, a hub is planned for the Culver City Expo Line Station, which will add 64 bike parking spaces and other services as well.
Metro is also evaluating proposals to build a hub for Union Station, which could include around 300 spaces, along with a retail bicycle shop and repair services, sometime in 2017 or possibly sooner. After that, Metro has plans to develop a hub at the North Hollywood Metro Red and Orange Line Stations with extensive bike parking, retail and repair facilities.
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