Public Bicycle Parking Facility? Let's copy!

The Mauá bicycle station located near the train station is Latin America’s largest 24-hour bicycle parking facility. It was started by Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (São Paulo Metropolitan Train Company) in collaboration with ASCOBIKE, a bicycle riders association.

For R$10.00 (approximately US$5.00) a month members can park their bicycles without fear of them getting stolen and where they can leave their bikes for repair or buy parts and accessories at discounted rates. It is also a place where they can take a break as they have access to showers and restrooms or have refreshment, like cold water or hot coffee before they continue on their journey by train.

It is also a place for their social well being as there are social workers there to provide legal services, insurance plans or provide loans for members to have their bicycles repaired or serviced if their safety riding their bicycles becomes a concern.

 

Can we see this happening in Malaysia?  It is very possible as I read that The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) has helped to develop the bike parking station.

ITDP is a US-based non-governmental non-profit organization that provides technical assistance to cities and local advocacy groups on sustainable transportation development throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas. 

Why should we consider working towards developing bike parking station like this in our country?  Take a look at this chart created by ITDP and you will see the picture.

Let's share this information and hope that the relevant authorities will pick this idea up.