Soon cyclists will be able to make routine bicycle repairs at select MARTA rail stations across the system. MARTA is installing seven self-service, Dero bicycle repair kiosks equipped with the necessary tools for bike maintenance and repair, from tightening handlebars to pumping a flat tire.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m. at the Lindbergh Center station with representatives from the MARTA Board of Directors, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and MailChimp.
Last fall, MARTA participated in “Trick Out My Trip,” a 48-hour crowdsourcing campaign from ioby and the Transit Center. With $2,000 in matching funds from the Transit Center, MARTA quickly raised more than $4,000 to fund bike repair kiosks from board members, staff and customers. Atlanta-based Lanier Parking contributed $1,200 to purchase a kiosk.
“Improving and encouraging cycling as an alternative transportation option in addition to public transit is important,” said MARTA GM/CEO Keith T. Parker. “We’re excited to see business and civic leaders help us bring this amenity to our customers.”
MailChimp, an Atlanta-based email marketing service provider, pitched in another $4,000 to bring the total fundraising haul to more than $8,000.
MARTA partnered with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, a bike advocacy and rider education organization, to initiate the campaign and identify locations for the repair kiosks.
“This is a small but important step in making MARTA stations multi-modal which will result in encouraging alternative transportation options,” said Glenn Kurtz, Board Chairman of ABC and an executive at Lanier Parking.
The first kiosk is installed at Lindbergh Center station, just outside the fare gates at the Sidney Marcus entrance. The Dero bike repair kiosks will also be installed at the Chamblee, East Point, Edgewood/Candler, Five Points, North Avenue and West End stations.
