Bikestation Palo Alto will by inaugurated in a grand opening ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27. The station is in the former Southern Pacific baggage room in the Caltrain Palo Alto station.

The bike storage area closed in 2004 for the current renovations. When it is opened next week, the bicycle storage area will accommodate 96 bicycles in a double-tier rack with round-the-clock electronic key access.

The new storage area will enable bicyclists to park or retrieve their bikes at any time, not just during staffed hours, said Jeff Selzer, general manager of Palo Alto Bicycles, which will operate the Bikestation.

Cost of using the Bikstation ranges from $1 a day to $96 a year for unlimited use. There is also a $20 annual administrative fee.

Partners in the Bikestation project included the City of Palo Alto, Stanford University, Caltrans, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Palo Alto Bicycles and the national Bikestation organization.

— Don Kazak

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