johnny99
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_7632300
more bicyclists being barred from Caltrain
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mayukawa
For shorter distances from/to the train station, I think a folding bike could be a potential solution for cyclists.
uspspro
I usually don't have too much of a problem.
I agree with one of the comments made. They need to redesign the racks so that the bikes are perpendicular to the wall. Easier loading/unloading (which means less dwell time at the stations, less scratching up of bikes, etc). They can definitely fit more bikes This way.
On the new trains, I think they could have all the bikes perpendicular from door-to-door on one side of the car, and the seats on the other side.
If the width of the car is not wide enough to provide a sufficient isle, they can just put an angle to the bikes, like they do for cars in a parking lot.
My 2 cents.
I agree with one of the comments made. They need to redesign the racks so that the bikes are perpendicular to the wall. Easier loading/unloading (which means less dwell time at the stations, less scratching up of bikes, etc). They can definitely fit more bikes This way.
On the new trains, I think they could have all the bikes perpendicular from door-to-door on one side of the car, and the seats on the other side.
If the width of the car is not wide enough to provide a sufficient isle, they can just put an angle to the bikes, like they do for cars in a parking lot.
My 2 cents.
BlastRadius
What Caltrain needs are better bike racks. The way they do it now is highly inefficient as far as space is concern. Better would be racks or hooks to hold bike vertically by one wheel. They'd be able to accommodate probably 50% more bikes in the same space.
*edit: see Marco's reply.
*edit: see Marco's reply.
jinws
What Caltrain needs are better bike racks. The way they do it now is highly inefficient as far as space is concern. Better would be racks or hooks to hold bike vertically by one wheel. They'd be able to accommodate probably 50% more bikes in the same space.
*edit: see Marco's reply.
like the VTA light rail. used it for the first time yesterday, very nice.
*edit: see Marco's reply.
like the VTA light rail. used it for the first time yesterday, very nice.
BlastRadius
Where's that? San Jose?
jinws
Where's that? San Jose?
yep, south bay. from Mnt View to Campbell. see link for rack picture.
http://www.vta.org/services/bikes.html#bikes_on_light_rail
the racks are pretty nice and space saving.
yep, south bay. from Mnt View to Campbell. see link for rack picture.
http://www.vta.org/services/bikes.html#bikes_on_light_rail
the racks are pretty nice and space saving.
spingineer
The only problem with the VTA rack is if you have a heavy clunker, you gotta use your upper body strength to get your bike on the hook. Just don't bring your recumbent. Nice light road bikes fit nicely, but bring a heavy touring bike with fully loaded panniers and forget it.
spingineer
I just read the article. Here's a revolutionary suggestion ... RIDE THE BIKE!!!
johnny99
The only problem with the VTA rack is if you have a heavy clunker, you gotta use your upper body strength to get your bike on the hook. Just don't bring your recumbent. Nice light road bikes fit nicely, but bring a heavy touring bike with fully loaded panniers and forget it.
Caltrain already bans recumbents and panniers. And if you can lift your heavy clunker up the stairs on to Caltrain, hooking it shouldn't be too much more work.
Caltrain already bans recumbents and panniers. And if you can lift your heavy clunker up the stairs on to Caltrain, hooking it shouldn't be too much more work.
johnny99
I just read the article. Here's a revolutionary suggestion ... RIDE THE BIKE!!!
Obviously, lots of people do bike to work. Trying to commute 30 or 50 miles each way every day and still have a normal life is kind of difficult, though.
Obviously, lots of people do bike to work. Trying to commute 30 or 50 miles each way every day and still have a normal life is kind of difficult, though.
spingineer
Obviously, lots of people do bike to work. Trying to commute 30 or 50 miles each way every day and still have a normal life is kind of difficult, though.
True ... I used to commute 20 miles each way 2-3 times a week. That was fun ... kept me in shape at least.
True ... I used to commute 20 miles each way 2-3 times a week. That was fun ... kept me in shape at least.
abrinton
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_7632300
I think barred is a little misleading, getting bumped because the train is full is very different from being barred.
I think barred is a little misleading, getting bumped because the train is full is very different from being barred.
uspspro
True ... I used to commute 20 miles each way 2-3 times a week. That was fun ... kept me in shape at least.
My bike commute is 33 miles.
Fun, but cannot be fit in every day.
What did you do the other 2-3 days? I am assuming you drove.
I take the train/bike 5 days per week, pretty much. During the summer I used to ride all the way home once or twice per week.
I do agree with you for shorter commutes. I cannot stand the people to take their bike on the train from Mtn. View to Palo Alto... What the hell? I mean If they can't ride from MTV to PA then I am assuming they rode their bikes a very small distance from work/home to the station, which is probably walking distance. :rolleyes:
Those guys need to ride their bikes!
Also regarding panniers... Caltrain says that the must be removed while the bike is on the rack.
On a different note... When I get my DiNotte, I will try riding home in the dark :)
My bike commute is 33 miles.
Fun, but cannot be fit in every day.
What did you do the other 2-3 days? I am assuming you drove.
I take the train/bike 5 days per week, pretty much. During the summer I used to ride all the way home once or twice per week.
I do agree with you for shorter commutes. I cannot stand the people to take their bike on the train from Mtn. View to Palo Alto... What the hell? I mean If they can't ride from MTV to PA then I am assuming they rode their bikes a very small distance from work/home to the station, which is probably walking distance. :rolleyes:
Those guys need to ride their bikes!
Also regarding panniers... Caltrain says that the must be removed while the bike is on the rack.
On a different note... When I get my DiNotte, I will try riding home in the dark :)
Mr. Fly
I've been commuting on Caltrain for a few months now and I agree that the design of the bicycle racks can use some out-of-the-box thinking. The design of the rack does not allow for easy extraction of a bicycle from the rack without affecting other bicycles. This is a significant concern because cyclist destinations are widely distributed.
Having stated that, I believe cyclists do not exactly help themselves to a better riding experience. Boarding is a mad rush and we frequently hold up others as we decide which slot to place our bikes. It is a total mess and deserve some order. Here's my recommendation of how we can help ourselves:
All bike cars are at the northern end of the train. Since we all wait in the same area, let us spend the last 30 seconds prior to boarding to self-organize the boarding order. Whoever is getting off last will board first.
When parking our bikes, make sure that tails are matched up with heads. Ergo, 1st bike "face" north, 2nd bike "face" south, 3rd bike "face" north and so on. Those with too many bikes and not enough space at home will know what I'm writing about. This is the most economical use of space, as far as bike parking goes. As an example, I park my 4 bikes at home side-by-side in a 82"x40" space.
When boarding as a group, try to use as few berths as possible. As used with the heads-to-tails and the boarding order technique, we can probably fit 5-deep per berth and still be able to access the bikes when we reach our stops because the open berths will allow more flexibility in stacking.
Put a freaking bicycle destination tag on. E'nuf said.
Here's a list of other suggestions that I'm begging everyone to consider seriously:
Try not to bring a big honking clunker onto the train. Yes, they are nice but like trying to park a full-size SUV in an underground apartment complex parking lot, you're just making your own and everyone else's life a little more difficult.
Have a little respect for people's property. Yes, I understand and accept that my bike will be marred through usage, but please try not to rip out my rear fenders and the paint on half my bike when you forget to put a bicycle tag on, disappear from the bike car such that we have no clue where your bike is going to, come back to the bike car 2 seconds before the train stops at your station, and then try to extract your worthless piece of rusty Walmart crap 3-deep in the stack.
The bungie cords are only there to help hold your bicycle steady. You don't have to bungie it so tight that your bike slides upwards from the tautness of the bungie.
If you've done 15 miles before boarding, and you're all sweaty, please do not sit in the seats. They're made of fabric and absorb sweat quite readily. I'm a cyclist too so I don't mind the slightly musky smell in the bike car, but a swampy seat is really too much to bear.
Having stated that, I believe cyclists do not exactly help themselves to a better riding experience. Boarding is a mad rush and we frequently hold up others as we decide which slot to place our bikes. It is a total mess and deserve some order. Here's my recommendation of how we can help ourselves:
All bike cars are at the northern end of the train. Since we all wait in the same area, let us spend the last 30 seconds prior to boarding to self-organize the boarding order. Whoever is getting off last will board first.
When parking our bikes, make sure that tails are matched up with heads. Ergo, 1st bike "face" north, 2nd bike "face" south, 3rd bike "face" north and so on. Those with too many bikes and not enough space at home will know what I'm writing about. This is the most economical use of space, as far as bike parking goes. As an example, I park my 4 bikes at home side-by-side in a 82"x40" space.
When boarding as a group, try to use as few berths as possible. As used with the heads-to-tails and the boarding order technique, we can probably fit 5-deep per berth and still be able to access the bikes when we reach our stops because the open berths will allow more flexibility in stacking.
Put a freaking bicycle destination tag on. E'nuf said.
Here's a list of other suggestions that I'm begging everyone to consider seriously:
Try not to bring a big honking clunker onto the train. Yes, they are nice but like trying to park a full-size SUV in an underground apartment complex parking lot, you're just making your own and everyone else's life a little more difficult.
Have a little respect for people's property. Yes, I understand and accept that my bike will be marred through usage, but please try not to rip out my rear fenders and the paint on half my bike when you forget to put a bicycle tag on, disappear from the bike car such that we have no clue where your bike is going to, come back to the bike car 2 seconds before the train stops at your station, and then try to extract your worthless piece of rusty Walmart crap 3-deep in the stack.
The bungie cords are only there to help hold your bicycle steady. You don't have to bungie it so tight that your bike slides upwards from the tautness of the bungie.
If you've done 15 miles before boarding, and you're all sweaty, please do not sit in the seats. They're made of fabric and absorb sweat quite readily. I'm a cyclist too so I don't mind the slightly musky smell in the bike car, but a swampy seat is really too much to bear.
1jacktripper
yep, south bay. from Mnt View to Campbell. see link for rack picture.
http://www.vta.org/services/bikes.html#bikes_on_light_rail
the racks are pretty nice and space saving.
jinws, how long did that ride take, from Mtn View to Campbell? I'm currently looking into from Mtn View to SJ (near 237/880) and it looks to take about 45 minutes, which is a bit ridiculous.
http://www.vta.org/services/bikes.html#bikes_on_light_rail
the racks are pretty nice and space saving.
jinws, how long did that ride take, from Mtn View to Campbell? I'm currently looking into from Mtn View to SJ (near 237/880) and it looks to take about 45 minutes, which is a bit ridiculous.
jinws
jinws, how long did that ride take, from Mtn View to Campbell? I'm currently looking into from Mtn View to SJ (near 237/880) and it looks to take about 45 minutes, which is a bit ridiculous.
I've never actually riden it from mnt to campbell. but from my limited knowledge, the trains are usually always on time. On time meaning the printed schedule. It's pretty fast.
I've never actually riden it from mnt to campbell. but from my limited knowledge, the trains are usually always on time. On time meaning the printed schedule. It's pretty fast.
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