Kiss and Ride lots see uptick in motorcycles

WASHINGTON -- There's a whole lot of rumbling going on at Metro parking lots these days as more people take advantage of free parking for their motorcycles at Kiss and Ride lots.

"We have seen an increase in motorcycle parking, especially at end of the line stations such as Vienna, East Falls Church and Shady Grove," Metro spokesperson Candace Smith tells WTOP.

In general, there has been an up-tick in the number of motorcycles on the roads.

According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, rising fuel prices have contributed to a sales boom for motorcycles and scooters.

It turns out, taking a motorcycle to a Metro parking lot has a big upside -- free parking. The transit agency does not charge for motorcycles that park in its 38 Kiss and Ride lots.

There are designated spaces for motorcycles at lots, and Metro says with the increased interest more are on the way.

"In July, we nearly doubled the number of motorcycle spaces at the East Falls Church station. There were 12. Ten were added," says Smith. "At Vienna 15 spaces were added, and by November we expect to double spaces at Shady Grove adding 15."

In total, Metro has 306 motorcycle parking spaces system-wide.

The transit agency also says it has noticed increased motorcycle usage at the Huntington, New Carrollton, Rhode Island Avenue Branch Avenue and Greenbelt Stations.

Metro does charge for motorcycles that use garages.

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