We just learned that the US Department of Transportation has approved Metro-North Railroad’s proposal for its parking structure at the North White Plains train station, which included secure bike-storage as part of the plan.

Metro-North added the secure bike-storage facility following a grassroots campaign led by the Bike Walk Alliance of Westchester & Putnam and the Westchester Cycle Club.

Joining our cause were US Rep. Nita Lowey, of Harrison, Assemblyman Tom Abinanti of Greenburgh, Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner, county legislators John Nonna of Mount Pleasant, and White Plains Common Council member David Buchwald, who also chairs the Metro North Railroad Commuter Council.

We learned of the USDOT action today from Virginia Noriega, an aide to Lowey. Letters from many WCC and BWA members also helped in our efforts.

Secure bike-storage at transit hubs is getting built throughout the world, as transportation planners encourage nonmotorized means of transportation. Long Island Railroad has bike lockers at 16 stations that have proved popular.

Metro North had argued that its attempts at secure bike storage in Cortlandt and Scarsdale had failed to attract many cyclists. But we argued that Cortlandt is in a rural area and not that conducive to riding. The Scarsdale storage facility is far from the station and inconvenient.

Our campaign focused on the fact that the North White Plains station is served by the county’s Bronx River Pathway, an off-road bike facility. So it made perfect sense to include a secure bike storage facility in the new structure, to encourage commuters to bike to the train, and be able to leave their bikes in a secure storage facility instead of on an outside bike rack.

Thanks again to all who supported our campaign. Construction is expected to commence in 2013.

Yours riding safely,
WCC Advocacy Director David Wilson