by Isabella
Furth
North County commuters can check out the latest in bicycle
parking facilities at the recently opened Sabre Springs/Peñasquitos Transit
Station.
Unlike the bike lockers offered in other parts of the city,
the new kiosk is a walk-in facility offering secure rack space for up to 20
bikes, plus a pump and a repair station. Windows and extensive lighting make it
easy to see who is inside, and the kiosk is also protected by interior and
exterior security cameras.
The facility makes it easy for multi-modal commuters to take
advantage of the new all-day express bus service between Downtown and Escondido
(express bus service will expand to include Sorrento Valley and UC San Diego
this October). The LEED-certified transit center also offers a 630-space
parking garage for automobiles, including electric car charging stations.
The bike parking station can be opened with a specially
registered Compass card. These cards cost only $2.00 and can be purchased at
most Albertson’s grocery stores, as well as the MTS Transit Store downtown.
There is no need to purchase a monthly bus pass.
Danny Avita, coordinator of iCommute’s Bike Locker program,
says that people have registered for about half of the available spots at the
Sabre Springs location; in the coming months, SANDAG plans to track usage and
may issue more access cards to accommodate occasional users as well as
commuters.
Usage has been modest but steady: on a recent weekday there
were several bikes hanging on the vertical racks.
Avita says the feedback on the bike parking has been very
positive. “People like that it has so many spaces and is so visible to users,”
he said. “I hear a lot from folks who would like to see these facilities in
their neighborhoods around the city.” There are currently no fixed plans to
build more. “I tell them we’d love to do that if we had the money,” Avita said,
“but it may take a while.”
To sign up for access
to the bike lockers, visit http://icommutesd.com and create an account, or log
into your existing iCommute account. Once you are logged in, click on “Commute
Services” to see the list of bike locker locations and submit your request.
Once the request is processed, you will be asked to submit a copy of your
driver’s license or California ID along with a copy of your Compass card. (Bike
lockers in other locations require a $25 key deposit; this fee does not apply
to the Sabre Springs location.) The whole process takes 3-4 business days.
Kiosk
and friend, Bike to Work Day 2014. (photo I. Furth)
