BIKE 'N FLY AT BURLINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?

I just got back from a quick work trip to New York City to check out an industry trade show on Tuesday. When I was working out the final details of my trip on Monday afternoon, I decided I would ride my bike to the airport. It's only about 4.5 miles from my house, and it's bike path the entire way. Easy! Taking the family car and leaving it parked at the airport was not an option - that would strand my wife and kids without a vehicle. I needed to leave the house before 5am, so it was too early for my wife to load the kids in the car and give me a ride. I could call a cab, but they are really expensive around here and I knew it would be a $20 ride each way. So, riding my bike seemed like a really good solution.

I decided to call the airport to make sure it was OK to leave a bike there. I was surprised when the woman at the airport parking office told me that I could not park a bike there! I called airport general information, and got the same answer. I even called a private long-term parking location (run by Thrifty), and they turned me down too! I couldn't believe that my simple plan was falling apart!

At this point, it was Monday evening and the airport administrative offices were closed. I left a message expressing my disappointment that I couldn't leave a bike at the airport, and called a cab for the next morning. The cab pulled into our driveway just before 5am. 9 minutes later and $20 poorer, I was at the airport and on my way. While I was in New York, a woman from the airport called back and left a message. I returned her call when I got back into town yesterday. She was very apologetic and explained that they actually DID have a bike rack at the airport. It was outside (rather than in the garage) - but it would have worked just fine. Apparently, the folks in the parking garage and at the information desk didn't realize it was there. Anyway, she told me that my message started a conversation about a better solution for bike parking at the airport, and that they were now planning to install bike racks indoors in the covered garage! I volunteered to provide a bike commuter's perspective for their bike parking plan, and she graciously accepted. An hour later, a man from the airport called and asked when I could meet him to do a walk-though of the parking garage! We'll be getting together in the next couple of days to do a survey of the airport garage and choose a location for indoor secure bike parking.

I want to thank the folks at Burlington International Airport for doing their part to make the facility more bike friendly. I can't wait for my next flight so I can Bike 'n Fly!

Today's Ride: A chilly (single digits F) return to my daily bike commute this morning - but it felt good to be back in the saddle after too much time in airplane and subway seats.