Subscribe free to our daily email newsletterContributor Opinion by Mark Pierzchala: My Mongoose Is Loose
Nov 11, 2008 8:00 - 6 Comments
>The following contributor opinion (and true story) is by Rockville Central friend Mark Pierzchala:
On Saturday November 1, I purchased a Mongoose. On Wednesday, November 5 it vanished. I swear it was locked up properly. Its disappearance is mysterious and foul play is likely.
The reason I bought a Mongoose is because on Friday, October 31 someone stole my bicycle from a bike rack at Rockville Metro Station. Now before you pull all your children inside, I should explain that a Mongoose is a bicycle brand and that the Mongoose I purchased on Saturday was a used bike from a reputable area bike shop. The reason that the Mongoose vanished on Wednesday is that it too was stolen from the same bike rack at Rockville Metro.
The first stolen bike was cabled properly to the bike rack. I assumed that someone picked the lock on this cable because it had a key lock. After losing that beloved bicycle, you can be sure that the Mongoose bike was even more carefully and fully cabled to the rack. This cable had a combination lock. I think someone has a cable cutter.
I rode the Mongoose back and forth to the Metro exactly 1½ times. Even though it was used, by the time I added a few basic accessories such as a thick cable, it cost $263. If I continue to lose bikes at this rate, this clearly would not represent a cost-effective transportation solution. This poses a dilemma since we share 2 cars between 3 drivers and being able to cycle to the Metro is a key part of this arrangement.
A few months ago, I broached the topic of bike parking at Metro at Citizen’s Forum. I noted that all bike lockers at the Metro were rented and that there was at least a year’s wait. Since then, the City expressed a willingness to purchase more bike lockers for the Rockville stop. Metro said it would accept them but is concerned about the expense of their maintenance.
Along the way I learned that Metro has little money for bike security, that it is replacing some of its 1600 bike racks, that more people are biking to the Metro, but Metro needs to focus on its core business. All I wanted at the time of my presentation to Mayor and Council was a few bike racks inside the tunnel out of rain and sun and within range of security cameras.
Anyway I’m back on my unicycle after a 15 month hiatus after I fractured my elbow a week after I bragged to a neighbor that I had never broken a bone in my life. Maybe one day I’ll get good enough at unicycling to ride it to the Metro and perhaps Metro would let me take it on rush-hour trains. But my skill level is minimal and it’s going to be a long time before that happens if ever. What’s a guy to do?
P.S. The following is from Carl Henn: The county runs a bike registration system that sends you a decal with a number on it, so that if it’s recovered they know who to send it back to. It’s here. I had a bike stolen years ago from a Metro station, but it was registered through NIH. The cops caught the thieves and returned my bike.
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It’s certainly not as good a solution as less crime, but a good U-lock (or two) should do you. Cable locks are very easy to cut with the right kind of clippers, no matter how thick they are. Heavy chain locks work well, too.
I 2nd the U-lock suggestion. I had my bike stolen from the Rockville Metro too and it had a cable / keyed padlock and they just cut through it.
I agree that a U lock is more secure. But too many destinations in Rockville have no bike parking. I use a cable lock because I can lock up around a telephone pole. It is sad that Rockville still doesn’t require businesses to provide bike parking.
Sorry to hear about your bike! That’s really a shame. I 4th what’s been said about U locks vs. cable locks, but I am not trying to blame the victim. As one person already mentioned, U locks are only feasible when there is sufficient bike infrastructure to allow convenient locking.>
Somewhat relatedly: Does anyone know of a formal Rockville-based group that advocates for cycling / infrastructure? Or perhaps for pedestrian/cycling/transit together?
The bike advocacy group is at http://www.rockvillemd.gov/recreation/bicycling/rbac.htm
Dear Mr. Pierzchala,>
The City’s Traffic and Transportation staff has been working with WMATA to improve the number of bicycle parking spaces as well as the location of the spaces. WMATA reports that Rockville will receive 20 new bike racks (this accommodates 40 bikes) and they will replace the 26 existing racks with new inverted U racks. They said that all new racks system wide will be in place by June 2009. We’ll also work with them on the location of the racks and lockers to see that they are placed in a secure and convenient location.
WMATA is also evaluating the need for lockers across the system. They report that Rockville lockers are at 85% occupancy, so they don’t expect to add any at this time. I understand that you contacted WMATA to request one of the available lockers at the Rockville station and are waiting for a call back to confirm your reservation. Please let me know if you have any problems with that process.
As a part of the City’s revised zoning ordinance, secure and convenient bicycle parking is required and high standards for the number of bicycle parking spaces have been used. This was developed after surveying bicycle-parking ordinances across the country and drawing upon the best practices from those ordinances.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Regards,
Carrie Sanders
Transportation Planner II
City of Rockville, Traffic and Transportation Division
111 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850
240-314-8500 (Main)
240-314-8529 (Direct)
240-314-8539 (Fax)
[email protected]