Bikes outside don’t fare well here

WMATA should consider adding bicycle parking inside the New York Avenue/Florida Avenue/Gallaudet University Metro station to address the problems with theft and vandalism that plague many bike-Metro commuters, including myself just a few days ago.

Two weeks ago Michael Perkins wrote about the need for more bicycle parking at the East Falls Church Metro station. The popularity of nearby W&OD Trail means there often isn’t enough space at the station for bicycles to be parked safely and securely.

While both stations are adjacent to cycling trails, the demand for parking is much lower at New York Avenue. The current Metropolitan Branch Trail has only been open a short time, but use of the trail increases every week. It’s easy to imagine increased demand at New York Avenue as more people learn about the trail and as NoMa becomes a lively, mixed-use neighborhood.

A big problem at New York Avenue is theft and vandalism. I had parts stolen off my bicycle on Tuesday, November 2nd.

It’s not the first time this has happened to me. I’ve called WMATA police, filed reports, and told them that the thefts all seem to happen at the same time of day (mid-to-late afternoon). Nothing has changed, so I became discouraged reporting the same thing time and again. I knew there had to be a better solution, and it turned out it was right there in front of me all along.

There are currently not a lot of ‘eyes on the street’ at the station outside of rush hour. It’s easy for a criminal to wait for a quiet hour to steal parts of or an entire bicycle with no one noticing. This could be mitigated by putting bicycles behind the faregates in the station. Criminal activity would likely be deterred if one had to pass through the turnstiles and past the station manager to cut a bike lock.

There is plenty of room inside of the station. The platform is raised, and the lower level has lots of unused space around escalators and stairs that could accommodate bicycle racks.

Lots of room along the back wall on both sides of this little-used payphone.

Another large space under one of the escalators.

These images are of space on either side of one of the elevators.

These spaces aren’t being used for anything but a spot for the cleaning crew to occasionally leave their gear. The space in the first picture could be used to store snow-removal materials during the winter, but there isn’t need to fill all of the empty spaces above with seasonal equipment.

I would consider paying a premium to park here. If WMATA wanted to charge a nominal fee to allow access to and help pay for such parking, it would be worth it for the additional protection from vandalism and theft.

I spoke with a member of the NoMa BID staff, and he agreed this would be an idea worth pursuing. These large, unused spaces currently lie fallow. Why not use that space for more and better bicycle parking?