Capital Bikeshares now available in Merrifield
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| A Capital Bikeshares station in Tysons. [Tysons Reporter] |
There are now three Capital Bikeshare stations in Merrifield, allowing people to rent a bike for a one-way ride from kiosks at the Mosaic District, Dunn Loring Metro Station, and Merrilee Drive and Lauren Elizabeth Lane.
Bike sharing is designed as a last-mile solution to get from home to transit or but can also be used for longer commutes, errands, or leisurely rides.
The stations in Merrifield are part of 34 stations throughout Fairfax County owned and operated by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. The other Capital Bikeshares kiosks are in the Tysons and Reston areas.
At the unveiling of the Capital Bikeshare station at the Dunn Loring Metro Station June 21, Providence Supervisor Linda Smith said the stations in Merrifield are the result of a public private partnership with Mill Creek, Bozzuto Management Co., Edens, and FCDOT.
The bike shares in Merrifield can connect to other Capital Bikeshare systems elsewhere in Fairfax County or in Arlington, the City of Falls Church, Alexandria, and D.C.
To access a bike, you can use a credit card at a kiosk or use the Capital Bikeshares mobile app.
The cost is $2 for up to 30 minutes. If you keep going, it’s another $2 for a half hour. After 90 minutes, it’s $8 for each additional 30 minutes. A 24-hour pass is $8; a three-day pass is $17.
You can also buy a “day key membership” for a $10 initial fee plus $7 for 24 hours and get a key to unlock a bike. Visit the Capital Bikeshares website for more pricing and membership details.
As usual one does not see any of these in Mason. And why one may ask? The people living here are ether too old, too rich or too poor, there is no middle. Additionally there aren't any safe bike routes to employment centers or transit centers. Oh I forgot we don't have transit centers that any one would want to frequent that would get you to work on time.
Could the Providence District Supervisor please run Mason. Maybe we should have a unification. But then Providence may not want all of Mason problems, because "Mason Doesn't Matter."
This isn't about being "rich/poor/old/young," this is about density. Bikeshare systems, like public transit, are more cost effective in higher density areas. For example, if the Seven Corner towncenter is built, then you would see them there.
Just checked the Capital Bikeshare site and see that the bikes don't include helmets.
As a cyclist I applaud the addition of the bikeshare site but WE MUST ADD SAFER BIKE LANES. Gallows road is a mess when it comes to riding a bike and I see so many bikers young and old. It is fool-hearty to add a bikeshare site with no safe place to ride. At least we have a world class hospital nearby.