General Cycling Discussion - City transit bus, with a bike rack.

I had to go to Atlanta this morning. I saw, for the first time, a city transit bus (MARTA) with a bike rack in the front that looked like it would hold about six bikes. There was a bike already in the rack at the time. In 20 years of working in the Atlanta area, I have never seen or noticed such a contraption. Has anyone else seen one?

I know are buses around here have those also, they are made by sportsworks, check out http://www.bicycleracks.com/ for more info, they also make a excellent hitch rack.

Originally posted by The Terminator
I had to go to Atlanta this morning. I saw, for the first time, a city transit bus (MARTA) with a bike rack in the front that looked like it would hold about six bikes.

Wow! I see mostly 2-bike racks on mass transit. I once saw a 4-bike rack. Can you describe how the bikes were secured? Perhaps someone can ascertain the manufacturer. It could be that they're custom-built too. Seattle custom-built their racks for a long time before Sportworks came on the scene.

Originally posted by khuon
Wow! I see mostly 2-bike racks on mass transit. I once saw a 4-bike rack. Can you describe how the bikes were secured? Perhaps someone can ascertain the manufacturer. It could be that they're custom-built too. Seattle custom-built their racks for a long time before Sportworks came on the scene.

These looked like they were made of aluminum. They were the type that hold the bike by the wheels. You put the bike into the rack, and the wheels go into slots. I didn't look at it long enough to see if the bike locked in or whatever. I would dang sure lock mine up. Imagine getting off the bus, and someone has helped themself to your bike, and left their piece of junk in the rack.

Just a word of warning to those who would like to use one these bike rack contraptions. A friend of my brother drives a transit bus and he had a customer's bike fall off one of these racks and he accidentally road over it with the bus! The racks I have tried have a spring loaded hoop that secures the bike into a rack. I imaging that if the driver hits a pothole or a bump the bike could disengage and good bye to bike.

Originally posted by The Terminator
They were the type that hold the bike by the wheels. You put the bike into the rack, and the wheels go into slots.

That sounds like a Sportworks rack. Was there a claw-like arm that came up and latched onto the wheel or frame? Maybe Sportworks now offers 6-bike carriers for busses.

I saw a bus here in Cleveland with the same rack arangment on the front. I was shocked because Cleveland is not the most bike friendly area, but there was one mountian bike on it......

Originally posted by khuon
That sounds like a Sportworks rack. Was there a claw-like arm that came up and latched onto the wheel or frame? Maybe Sportworks now offers 6-bike carriers for busses.

Well, as I said, it "looked" like it would hold six bikes. Remember the old saying? Believe nothing you hear, and half of what you see because you may be looking at it wrong. :) It honestly looked like a six bike holder. I tried to get a fast assessment in a short time. I didn't notice the claw like arm. It looked about 2 inch diameter tubing, not the 1/2 inch or so stuff found on regular type bike racks of the same type. I still thought that it was good to see the city taking an interest in cycling needs.

Originally posted by The Terminator
I had to go to Atlanta this morning. I saw, for the first time, a city transit bus (MARTA) with a bike rack in the front that looked like it would hold about six bikes. There was a bike already in the rack at the time. In 20 years of working in the Atlanta area, I have never seen or noticed such a contraption. Has anyone else seen one?
I attended MARTA's "Bike Racks on Buses" kickoff promotion last August. I also wrote an article in the Southern Bicycle League's (http://www.bikesbl.org) monthly newsletter/magazine Free Wheelin' about the bike racks and how to use them. They're nice racks made by Sportworks (http://www.bicycleracks.com/sbindex.asp). I've used them a few times. :thumbup:
BTW, they hold two bikes. ;)
They're also on Cobb County Transit and Gwinnett County Transit buses.


The biggest problem around here -- not many people use them. I see way too many buses with empty bike racks. :(

We have them here in Ottawa... Certain buses have the racks, you just pop your bike on, then hop on the bus! Great idea, and only about 20-years behind... :)

Joe

Originally posted by Gordon P
Just a word of warning to those who would like to use one these bike rack contraptions. A friend of my brother drives a transit bus and he had a customer's bike fall off one of these racks and he accidentally road over it with the bus! The racks I have tried have a spring loaded hoop that secures the bike into a rack. I imaging that if the driver hits a pothole or a bump the bike could disengage and good bye to bike.

Then the bike wasn't on the rack properly, those hooks don't just fall off pot holes or no pot holes Metro Transit has had these racks for more than 10 years now I use them daily never had anything fall of them I even carried a bday cake on one last Easter. I must admit the first couple of times I used them my heart would skip a beat when ever we hit a bump, but know I don't even think about it .

As far as locking them to the rack not allowed not prudent just sit up front and watch drivers are usually aware of someone trying to steal a bike. The most common thing that happens is people forget to take them off. The only racks they have for transit that are on the front of the bus hold 2 Metro and Sportworks are in the process of designing ones that hold three. When Metro first looked into bike racks they tested on that holds 4 that was in the back but decided against it for safety and security reasons. That and bus drivers kept driving away with bikes before the rider could get them.

I've seen those racks used in Downtown LA. I can't imagine why we don't have any buses in New York City with this rack. It doesn't really matter since I use the light rail and hate using the bus. If I wanted to bring my bike on the bus, I'd use my folding bike and cover it with my bike bag. I can now board ANY bus I want.

Yes, most of the buses here do have this bicycle racks... I just don't know why would you want to use it if you are on the bike already...
Maybe to back riders up that were too tired to pedal back? :D

Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
Yes, most of the buses here do have this bicycle racks... I just don't know why would you want to use it if you are on the bike already...
Maybe to back riders up that were too tired to pedal back? :D

that or maybe had too many of these :beer: to pedal (my case is by bike it is a 2 1/2 hour commute each way so I bus to the city and pedal 7 miles to the job and then pedal back twice a week)

Originally posted by ngateguy
that or maybe had too many of these :beer: to pedal (my case is by bike it is a 2 1/2 hour commute each way so I bus to the city and pedal 7 miles to the job and then pedal back twice a week)

Also there are some routes which are not bike friendly or are even bike-prohibited. One example is if you lived in Redmond, WA and wanted travel into Seattle. Since bikes are not permitted on the 520 bridge, you have three choices.

[1] Travel far northwest via the Samammish River Trail or parallel route and hook up with the Burke-Gilman or 522 and take it to North Seattle and then cut south. This adds about a good 1-1/2 hours to the commute.

[2] Go southwest and cut through portions of Bellevue to hook up with the I-90 bridge and take that in to the city. This adds about an hour.

[3] Ride directly west (well almost due west) paralleling 520 to Medina and hop a bus there to take it across L. Wash. to the U. District. By doing this, you can get from the heart of Redmond to downtown Seattle in less than an hour.

All of the busses here in Portland have racks that hold 2 bikes (I think). I've never used them, so I don't know if there is an extra charge or pass. Pretty simple, a spring-loaded bar folds over each tire to hold it in place. I seem to remember a comment about the MAX (our light transit system) being able to carry bikes, although I don't know how or even if that was accurate.

We've got em in Dayton. Matter of fact, if you bring a bike, your fare is free! Not a bad idea to encourage bike commuters who might have to travel prohibitivvely long distances, or are afraid of inclement weather!

Originally posted by stumpjumper
We've got em in Dayton. Matter of fact, if you bring a bike, your fare is free! Not a bad idea to encourage bike commuters who might have to travel prohibitivvely long distances, or are afraid of inclement weather!

Now thats cool I wish they did that here!

Originally posted by stumpjumper
Matter of fact, if you bring a bike, your fare is free! Not a bad idea to encourage bike commuters who might have to travel prohibitivvely long distances, or are afraid of inclement weather!
Free? Now there's a great idea! It'll never happen here. I believe MARTA is several million dollars in debt. :crash:

http://www.mvrta.org/main.asp?lf=default_leftframe.asp&bsel=2&cf=news_main.html

Its true!

Originally posted by The Terminator
I would dang sure lock mine up. Imagine getting off the bus, and someone has helped themself to your bike, and left their piece of junk in the rack.

This has happened here....somebody will put a pricy MTB on the rack and then Joe Schmoe the bike burglar comes along and puts his junker on and then at the next stop takes the expensive one off.

I lock my bike on the rack and then stay at the front of the the bus for the entire ride to keep an eye on it. I have seen many cyclists put a $2000.00 bike on the rack and then walk to the back of the bus. Good way to lose a bike. You cannot expect the driver to watch it for you. They can't remember whose bike is whose !

Justen

Originally posted by The Terminator
I had to go to Atlanta this morning. I saw, for the first time, a city transit bus (MARTA) with a bike rack in the front that looked like it would hold about six bikes.

6 bikes !! Holy....that would be a big rack. Most of the ones I have seen/use can only hold 2 bikes. It is a great service. I love being able to take my bike all over the lower mainland. I don't have a car so this is the only way I really get to explore pathways etc in other cities.

Translink in British Columbia here just started allowing bikes on the Skytrain which is even better. Much faster. Although there are some restrictions.

Justen

I've seen them here in Albuquerque and they seem to be getting a fair amount of use. I think most of the use is coming from lower-income people, just judging by the bikes. It's kind of encouraging since Albuquerque isn't really a good city for public transportation and bike commuting. I haven't tried it yet myself.

knoxville,tn has a mixed transit system as well