12:30pm | The Long Beach Redevelopment Agency and Bikestation invite the public to come celebrate the grand opening of a new state-of-the-art public bicycling center at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 15, at Bikestation/Promenade Square Park, 223 East 1st St. Free parking is available at the southwest corner of Long Beach Boulevard and Broadway.
“Long Beach strives to be the most bicycle friendly city in the nation, so it’s important that we have the amenities that cyclists need,” said Mayor Bob Foster. “The new Bikestation is a valuable asset to the entire community, and helps make biking in the city a viable and popular mode of transportation.”
Located at the intersection of the newly completed Promenade Square and the recently upgraded Transit Mall in downtown Long Beach, the new Bikestation is perfectly situated in a scenic park setting to enable easy access to numerous modes of transportation, as well as employment, shopping and dining options.
“Bikestation is truly an innovative facility that’s helped biking become an acceptable transportation alternative,” said Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal. “Thanks to the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency, Bikestation Long Beach has a new, modern home that is not only beautiful, but a practical addition to our downtown.”
The mission of Bikestation is to facilitate and encourage bicycling. The core service of the new Bikestation is to provide 24-7 bike parking. The facility also offers bicycle rental, repair, and retail; bicycling and transit information and classes; restroom and changing rooms; and new shower facilities and lockers for commuters. Any member of the public can valet park their bicycle during staffed business hours (7 am – 6 pm weekdays and 9 am – 5 pm weekends). Bikestation members also receive discounts on gear, rentals, and maintenance. Membership can be purchased annually for $96.00 or a monthly fee of $12.00.
“The Redevelopment Agency is pleased to partner with Bikestation on this project that is part of the rapidly expanding cycling landscape in Long Beach,” said John Thomas, Chair of the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency Board.
In 1996, Long Beach opened the very first public bicycling center in the U.S., designed by the critically acclaimed architect Fernando Vazquez. Vasquez has remained the architect for each new iteration as the facility has expanded twice in previous years.
“We are so proud of our partnership with the City of Long Beach and their support of Bikestation’s efforts to provide bike-transit infrastructure,” said Bikestation President Andrea White-Kjoss. “Together, we are working to improve the quality of life for bicycling commuters.”
For more information, contact Andrea White-Kjoss at (562) 733-0106 or email [email protected].