Bike Racks To Return To MIT Campus This Week

CAMBRIDGE, MA - At least one area cyclist was so annoyed at the loss of several bike racks on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus this summer, they created a satirical flyer mocking the MIT Parking and Transportation office and posted them at full bike racks around campus.

The small poster, attached to several bike racks along Mass. Ave, reads "Regretfully, bicycle parking capactiy in this area is full. MIT is unable to provide additional bicycle parking at this time. Please consider alternatives." And it shows a picture of a car.

The flyer also offers a 25 percent discount code "nobikeparking" for a monthly student commuter permit.

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Several of those racks that were removed over the summer due to construction will be returning to the MIT campus, MIT spokesperson Kimberly Allen said this week.

Allen said MIT is committed to using their campus as a living lab for sustainability, and supporting flexible transportation options is key. She also confirmed the flyer shared was not from MIT.

According to managers in the Campus Planning and Parking & Transportation Offices, in late summer several bike racks were removed from the area of Building 13 due to construction activities on the perimeter of the MIT.nano construction site.

"Campus planning staff, in partnership with colleagues in the Parking & Transportation Office, have been working on relocation sites for the racks, taking into consideration pedestrian and pathway usage in the area," Allen said.

Parking and Transportation officials said the new locations and installation plans were finalized over the past two weeks and installation of the bike racks is scheduled to take place during this week.

In an email to cyclists, Operations Manager for Parking & Transportation Tom Giannino wrote, “We apologize for any inconvenience our cycling community has experienced in the interim as we identified the replacement sites for the racks and coordinated with the installation team. MIT is committed to providing its community with affordable and low-carbon commute choices to, from, and around our urban campus. This past year we launched the Access MIT program to further these goals and we will continue to develop programs to ease parking demand while positively impacting our campus, community, and environment.”

Photo by Dana Forsythe