Hempstead Town awards Bellmore bike lockers

Eight lucky Town of Hempstead residents won’t have to hunt for a parking space at the Bellmore train station anymore.

A lottery drawing was held Monday morning to determine the winners of eight new bike lockers that are located on Pettit Avenue, west of Bedford Avenue in Bellmore.

Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, Councilman Gary Hudes and Councilwoman Angie Cullen were on hand for the drawing and happy to support healthful choices for residents and the environment.

“These lockers will encourage riding bicycles to the station,” Bonilla said. “It will be more convenient because parking won’t be an issue, and it’s eco-friendly.”

The bike lockers will be provided to the winners for a free one-year lease. The Town of Hempstead will only require a $40 deposit for the key, and the deposit will be refunded once the lease ends and the key is returned.

Bill Cook, a longtime resident of Bellmore, was present when Cullen announced that he was the last winner.

“It’s great,” Cook said. “I haven’t been commuting with the bike because I didn’t think it was safe.”

Aside from helping guard bicycles against theft and vandalism, the new lockers also will protect them from the elements. Hudes was quick to point that out when congratulating Cook.

“Most importantly, your seat will be dry,” Hudes said.