The City of Fullerton has discontinued bicycle rental lockers at the Fullerton Transportation Center, citing vandalism, theft, rising maintenance costs, and an inability to source replacement parts. Commuters learned of the decision through a notice posted at the train station, which gave them two weeks to make alternative arrangements for their bicycles.

The removal drew immediate criticism from residents and cycling advocates — particularly given that Fullerton ranks third in weekday ridership among 69 Metrolink stations, and that bicycle commuting has grown steadily as residents look for alternatives to the cost and congestion of driving.

The removal was not agendized or publicly noticed before the two-week warning was posted at the station. When asked about the lockers at the June 16 City Council meeting, staff confirmed the facilities are city-maintained — not operated by OCTA or Metrolink — and said a follow-up with the relevant director would be forthcoming.

Advocates for active transportation note that comparable infrastructure serving vehicle commuters — a parking structure with persistent theft or vandalism problems — would typically prompt security improvements rather than closure.

Fullerton’s high Metrolink ridership ranking makes adequate bicycle storage more pressing here than at most other stations in the system. The station has received significant investment in 2025: the city spent $800,000 in grant funding on signage improvements at the Transportation Center.

The bike lockers are city-maintained facilities, not operated by OCTA or Metrolink, as confirmed by city staff at the June 16 City Council meeting. To reduce theft and vandalism, municipalities and facility operators can implement the following measures for bike locker security:

• Placement and Visibility: Lockers should be located in well-lit, high-traffic areas. This visibility acts as a deterrent, as thieves are less likely to operate in such environments.
• Maintenance Protocols: Promptly repair or replace damaged locks, as compromised locks signal vulnerability. Establishing after-hours maintenance contacts for high-use transit stations is advisable.
• Surveillance: Security cameras should monitor locker areas, as their presence increases the perceived risk for would-be thieves and provides evidence if theft occurs.
• GPS and Registration: Integrating locker programs with bicycle registration aids in returning recovered bikes to their owners and helps identify theft patterns.
• Floors and Structural Integrity: Adding an internal floor to lockers prevents theft via prying open the bottom. Stacked units also benefit from this protection.
• Quality Materials: Steel construction is the industry standard, as steel is harder to breach than plastic or lighter materials. Door frames should have minimal gaps to prevent crowbars from being inserted.
• Locking Mechanisms: A minimum of two locking tabs is recommended, with three being standard for added security. Stainless steel components should be used to ensure durability in outdoor conditions.

The city has not indicated whether any of these measures were evaluated before the decision to remove the lockers was made. City staff said at the June 16 meeting that follow-up with the relevant director was forthcoming. At that meeting, a resident described a theft in which a damaged locker lock was exploited by thieves who returned after dark to remove a bicycle. Several residents asked the city to improve locker maintenance, designate an after-hours contact for locker emergencies, and address loose or missing hardware on nearby bike racks. Two Council members directed staff to explore improved security options or bring the matter to the city’s Active Transportation Committee. The city subsequently removed the lockers without a public hearing or Council vote on that specific decision.

Why Commuters Choose Bicycles

Cycling to transit has become an increasingly practical option for a straightforward set of reasons. A bicycle has no fuel costs, no registration fees, no insurance requirements, and far lower maintenance costs than a car or motorcycle. For commuters connecting to a train station, it eliminates the need to compete or pay for parking. Cyclists can often move faster than cars in heavy traffic on shorter urban trips and lock their bikes directly at their destination.

Beyond cost and convenience, regular cycling builds cardiovascular fitness into the commute without requiring separate gym time. Bicycles also require no driver’s license, making them an option for people unable to legally drive. And unlike cars or motorcycles, they produce zero emissions and no damage to the roads, a consideration for an increasing share of commuters.

For all of these reasons, secure bicycle storage at transit hubs is considered a critical piece of commuter infrastructure — one that affects whether residents can realistically choose cycling as a first-mile or last-mile option.