Supervisor Dorsey convenes hearing on secured bike parking; agencies outline lockers, hangars and mobility‑hub pilots

The Land Use & Transportation Committee held a multi‑agency hearing Dec. 5 on secured bike parking at transit stations and SFMTA garages. Supervisor Matt Dorsey framed the hearing around rising e‑bike ownership, theft deterrence and last‑mile connections, and invited presentations from BART, Caltrain and SFMTA.

Heath Maddox (BART) described racks, keyed and electronic lockers, South Park bike stations (about 250 spaces at Embarcadero and Civic Center) and newer 'BikeKeep' secure racks. He said district‑wide locker occupancy fell with the pandemic and is recovering; BART is converting e‑lockers to mobile‑app access and uses BikeLink for payment and access.

Dan Provance (Caltrain) reviewed Caltrain’s valet facility at Fourth & King (about 230 spaces, currently lightly used), recent e‑locker rollouts (20 Second Street and Bayshore) and plans to issue an RFP for a new Fourth & King vendor role. He highlighted funding sources (Bay Area Air Quality Management District, TIRCP) and potential e‑locker models that can accommodate cargo bikes.

Matt Lasky (SFMTA) summarized SFMTA’s short‑ and long‑term strategy: 68 lockers (48 in MTA garages, 20 at 20th & Caltrain), pilots for bike hangars (6 bikes per hangar, ~ $10,000 each), and a mobility‑hub concept (NTC grant ~ $400,000) that could include e‑bike charging, wayfinding and transit information. SFMTA plans hangar pilots in Yerba Buena and considers broader residential pilots and partnerships with community groups.

Supervisors repeatedly pressed for a citywide, funded plan rather than ad hoc pilots; they asked about siting, operations and funding, cargo/e‑bike accommodation, and alignment with the city’s climate and Vision Zero goals. Public commenters and advocates urged pilots in residential neighborhoods, schools, community centers and for equitably priced options for low‑income residents. The committee voted to file a hearing (i.e., request further study/reporting) and pursue interagency coordination.