Andrew Mollenbeck, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – More commuters are cycling to Metrorail stations even as the agency is prepared to tag dozens of bikes as abandoned — and possibly send them to auction.
Metro reports a 3 percent increase this year in the number of bikes parked at Metro stations. The so-called bicycle census was taken over a six-week stretch in May and June.
That rise, at least in part, is attributable to an increase in new bike racks, Metro says.
Braddock Road, Takoma and West Hyattsville stations all have increased capacity for cyclists.
Systemwide, 85 of the 86 stations offer bike racks for a total of more than 4,000 spaces.
During that census, Metro staff identified more than two dozen bikes as being potentially abandoned at rail stations. They include those with missing parts, flat tires and rusted frames.
Metro Transit Police will tag the suspect bikes, from which time owners will have 10 days to remove them.
To help identify the bikes and their owners, Metro has released photos of those they believe may be abandoned.
Bikes that have been tagged but not removed after 10 days may be sent to auction.
To see photos of the potentially abandoned bikes at Metro stations, follow this link.
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