Chelsea Albucher's heads up about the new Union Station Bike Transit Center brought up the subject of paying for parking. The center charges only $1 per day or $100 per year. What do you think... would you pay to park?
I'm OK with Pay To park and here's why...
* This bike center cost the taxpayers $4million. If the city built a public parking lot with that money taxpayers would expect that parking revenue would eventually pay off the bonds then start making money for the city. I don't see bike parking as being any different. I'm inclined to think that $1 is too cheap.
* I see a lot of bikes with wheels and seats missing, stolen because they weren't chained up with the rest of the bike. Think of this shelter as paying for protection.
* My seat sometimes absorbs rain water then soaks my rear for 3 days until it dries out. This shelter won't let that happen.
* I purposefully ride a mediocre bike in Newark because I don't want it to attract potential thieves. If I knew it was parked safely I'd ride a nicer bike.