Bike parking lockers are starting to appear at NJ Transit rail stations as a result of growing commuter interest and advocacy for a wider array of station access options. Currently, only 9 of 161 NJ Transit stations have the lockers, but the number should increase to 22 by the end of the year. This will bring NJ Transit's bicycle parking capacity for all stations to 1,686 (704 racks and 139 lockers). 80,000 people ride NJT trains daily.

However, efforts to better promote bike-and-ride commuting have yet to take root throughout NJ Transit. For example, NJ Transit's customer service and general information representatives did not know as of this month that bike lockers are available at stations and had never even heard of a "bike locker hotline" NJ Transit has established. One representative even went so far as to attempt to refute the claim that bike lockers actually exist at any NJT station.

Additionally, some stations with a demonstrated need for bike parking installations, like Hoboken and Metropark, are not receiving prompt attention.

In Maplewood, NJT has refused to honor a prior commitment to install 10 lockers. A recent survey of Maplewood residents demonstrated clear support for secure station bicycle parking.

NJ Transit should develop collaborative programs with towns that aim to boost the share of riders reaching stations by bicycle and foot. Active marketing and better systems of administration and technical guidance, coupled with safer routes to stations would go a long way toward instituting bike and pedestrian access as real alternatives at NJTransit stations.

For information on station bike parking, call NJ Transit's "bike locker hotline" at 973-491-8348. You may also contact Tri-State Campaign staff member, Patrick Schultz, at 973-353-5695 to discuss Transit's bike facility program and plans.