The Metro Bike team together with Metro Research just completed an online survey of their current bike locker holders. The online survey collected data on several satisfaction indicators as well as trip type, distance, and demographics. Satisfaction feedback will help the bike team improve service, and trip data helps us see how the lockers are being used. Jeff Boberg, head of Metro Research, comments on the trip data: “I really think this is a great aspect that doesn’t always get enough attention: if we care about reducing congestion and cleaner air, we should be looking for cost effective alternatives for lowering car trips without decreasing mobility, and the bike locker program is very cost effective.”
Read on for the key findings!
The bike lockers scored well on all the key indicators, especially price and safety.
Percentage of Locker Holders Satisfied by Issue
Almost all of locker holders claim they would not use a rack if the lockers were not available.
If there were no lockers, would you use a rack? 
Trip Type 
Trip Purpose 
Almost half of locker holders used to drive for at least part of their trip before they had a locker.
Before you had this locker, how did you complete this trip?
Looks like the biggest reason the riders ride is for exercise, but there are other important factors as well.
Motivation
Average trip lengths are short, around 3 miles, but frequency of use is high, usually 4-5 times per week. Using trip distance & frequency, we estimate that the lockers accommodate over 5,900 “bike passenger miles” per week. And since almost half of the locker holders (and the ones that bike farther and more frequently) have left their cars for their bikes, the lockers help to replace 1,900 vehicle miles per week.
Average Trip Length 
Frequency of Use
Locker holders have mid-range to expensive bicycles (the kind you’d want to keep in a locker instead of the racks), which may explain some of the demographic data that follows.
Bike Value
Demographic data reveals that bike locker holders are mostly male, consistent with national cycling data. They are more likely to be white, Asian and have higher incomes than Metro Bus and Rail Patrons. This may be skewed by the fact that the survey was conducted online. A paper version will be available next year. The locker holders are older than you might picture a typical bike commuter.
Income 
Ethnicity
Gender
Age
Categories: Transportation News
Great survey. Any stats on the bike lockers themselves? Like how many are there and how many are actively being rented? Thanks.
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Alicia,
You can see the info on the Bike Locker program here:
http://www.metro.net/bikes/bikes-metro/bike-locker-instructions/
I know, it’s a bit hard to find. You’ll have to use the map that is linked on that page to see which stations actually have lockers, but that page then shows how to get one.
I would love to use a bike locker. After my bike was stolen at a Metro station, I now walk to the station, adding about 15 mins to my commute every day.
If I had known that another fairly nearby station had accessible lockers (they’re kind of hidden away) I would’ve chosen to go to that station instead of leaving my bike at a rack. It would be great to have more info online about what the lockers entail, how to get access to one, where to find them at the various stations, etc.
I have a bike locker and took this survey, so I’ve got a couple thgouhts…
• I actually think these bike lockers help replace more vehicle miles than you give them credit for, because of the fact that the bike miles gained don’t directly equate to vehicle miles given up. Many patrons said they now bike and take a train, instead of driving to the final destination, so those trips would replace many more car miles than they would gain bike miles.
• Not surprised that the lockers are used often and with rather expensive bikes. I use my locker 5 days per week.
• Also not surprising that cleanliness was the issue with the least satisfaction. The lockers seem to accumulate dirt and dust (and cigarette butts–why???) and trap them all in. That being said, not long after taking the survey, the inside of the lockers at Culver City were completely cleaned and cleaned VERY WELL (Memorial Day weekend, I believe). Nice job, and great responsiveness to user concerns.
• I think there’s certainly more capacity for lockers at Culver City, and definitely a need. The racks are often full. Also, the current lockers are placed right in the way of pedestrian flow, so it can be a pain to get your bike in and out, as you have to block everyone walking by.
• Just a design note… the colors on the pie charts are way too similar and hard to distinguish.