Commuting - Can mass transit help bike commuting?

America was transformed by the automobile. As car driving became more and more central to the American way of life, travel distances got further and further. For many Americans, it's seemingly impossible to get anywhere, except by automobile, due to the distances.

Many of us who bicycle are undaunted, but distances remain a problem for many.
For me, my work commute would be a 150 mile weekly bike ride, which is still out of my reach.

Can mass transit help us bike commuters conquer those challenging distances?

Can you rate your city's mass transit system by how well it works with bike commuting?

(Scale of 1 to 10, 10 being fantastic, 1 being abysmal.)

I have been without a car for 15 years now and I often wish I had one. However, I save about $5000 a year by not driving, which means I don't need to make as much money and I avoid the car lifestyle. The transit in my city is fine if you live in the core area, but bad if you live in the sub-urban areas. Our mayor is trying hard to fix the system with rapid transit lines and even proposed to cut the transit fair in half to encourage more riders to use the system.

You fooled me with the title to your thread. My first thought, and one I still stand by, would be that a good mass transit system could put many more people in the right frame of mind to move over to bicycles. Getting people to use cars less would be the first step, followed by people realizing you don't have to wait a half hour for the bus to take you 4 miles, if you can get there in less time on a bike.
With a daily commute mileage of 50, getting a boost from public transportation would be welcome.

LBM...So your daily commute is 30 miles.? I ride once a week to work.. My r/t commute is 56 miles. Takes me less than 2 hours..Often the drive is one hour. Traffic is so bad.
Yes, mass transit get me and my bike say, half way to work. I would commute on bike most to the time..
A successful bus system getting me and my bike half way to work..Then bike commuting would rival a cars efficiecy- time wise.. I wish it were so..

Heah all. Trying to delete this new thread.. It was in reply to Little Big Man's questions in a thread about how mass transit would enhance your cycling. Some how my reply became a new thread..? . Can find no icon to delete, so this response can be put into the right thread.Sorry all...

I use transit everyday for my commute (my r/t on bike qwould be 70 miles) but I am fortunate enough to live in an area that at least with the transit system is bike friendly. the only drawback is in the summer time months then the racks on the bus can be at a premium. I have waited 3 or 4 buses to get on before. I heart that Metro and Sportsworks are working on a rack to carry more.

If I can reach my destination faster by bike I ride rather than bus it.

I think that as a year round rider I should get privilege over any of the fair weather riders out there :D

To me mass transit goes hand in hand w/commuting in a responsible manner.

Here in NYC-even with massive gridlock-the PATH and LIR trains not to mention of course the subway system make life possible... even on a bike, if everyone rode a bike it would be chaos. Of course the lack of pollution would be great if everyone pedaled but I cannot imagine how nasty it could get-gridlock, accidents, attitudes, pile-ups, etc-if 300,000 people were ALL biking into work at the same time and on 3 bridges/in 2 tunnels. To answer your question specifically... I think folks around here who commute using Mass Transit(or even for just normal errands)are far more likely to own and use a bike too, whereas the folks driving their cars out of a $500.00 a month rented garage space or have full time drivers for errands or driving across town are far less likely to use mass transit for any reason and therefore don't even consider bicycling as something beyond mere childsplay.

That said, I would fully be behind making the island of Manhattan a carfree zone. It's been talked about for years but of course it wouldn't happen... too much money here/corporate people/stars... the city govt. would panic that another city-like LA-would get ALL the big money folks. Plus can you see J-Lo and her famous saddlebag AND Ben riding a couple bikes in from the JFK airport to a restaurant?!?!?! :D

Mass transit and bicycles are possible using folding bikes. Transit systems often exclude full size bicycles from bus and rail. The exception being the folding bike. What's holding back cyclists from using folding bikes with transit is the perception the small wheels makes them look silly.

This has been my experience using bus and trains

Trains - I've never had any problems using folding bikes with rail. During ruch hour, folding bikes are the ONLY cycles that can ride on every train providing they are covered.

Bus - This is a tricky situation. The folder would have to have a 16' inch wheel in general. If the bus is fairly large or has a storge compartment on board, a 20' inch wheel folder might do just as well. Keep in mind that bus drivers DO NOT like folders at all and if they suspect what's in the package is a bicycle, you will not be able to board. Always have the bike folded and bagged before you board the cabin of a bus. Unfortunately, once you bag a folding bike, the package becomes larger and will inconvience other passengers. During rush hour, you may have to stand with the folder off to a side if possible. If the bus is so small with no storage compartment and the only place to put it is on the seat next to you, a folding bike is NOT an option. A folding bike SHOULD NOT go on the overhead rack.

All buses are different and situations can vary. I'd say this. If you notice other people on many occasions boarding with large packages or suitcases during rush hour, then a 16' inch wheel folding bike is certainly an option. Many buses have certain sweet spots where you might be able to place a folder without affending other people. It certainly helps to board the bus at the begining of its route before the cabin gets full.

Pete, does your 1-10 scale have a number for "non-existent?"

Perhaps I shouldn't be so harsh, the train between the Gold Coast and Brisbane does carry bikes (outside of "peak" hours) free of charge. However, that doesn't necessarily fall within the definition of "in my city". Nor does it really help the poor old commuter, who will probably be travelling within those "peak" hours.

Pete, does your 1-10 scale have a number for "non-existent?"

Perhaps I shouldn't be so harsh, the train between the Gold Coast and Brisbane does carry bikes (outside of "peak" hours) free of charge. However, that doesn't necessarily fall within the definition of "in my city". Nor does it really help the poor old commuter, who will probably be travelling within those "peak" hours.
Chris,

I had to do a search on your posts to find out where you've been. Seems I've been out of the loop! I've got some catching up to do on my reading...

Our buses have no bike racks, but I only use them as a back up. If I have to carry something too unwieldy for a bicycle, I hop on the bus. This only happens every month or so.

The bus system here is pretty good, but only if you work downtown during normal business hours. Otherwise, it’s spotty and requires long waits.

I live in Portland, Oregon which is often looked to as the model city with bicyclists and mass transit. However, I ranked it as only "great but not perfect"

There are still way too much of a car culture here. With 1.5 million people living in 24 cities that make up the urban area most people drive because mass transit does not serve their area (or it does but the routes are inconvenient).

That being said, I live closer in and take mass transit often, but would much prefer to bicycle because I can usually beat the bus. I never have done the bike on the bus option because I might as well ride the distance. Bikes on light rail are great (especially now that they have done away with the silly $5 license).

I've used MARTA at times, mainly when going to the area near the Capitol or the airport.
Buses or trains don't always go where I'm going so I'm forced to drive or bike.

The closest bus stop to my last employer was about 4 miles away. A bus route was added that had a bus going right by my workplace about a month before the company closed. Big help that was.

There are still way too much of a car culture here. With 1.5 million people living in 24 cities that make up the urban area most people drive because mass transit does not serve their area (or it does but the routes are inconvenient).

...I can usually beat the bus. I never have done the bike on the bus option because I might as well ride the distance.
Sounds familiar...

:)

Pete, does your 1-10 scale have a number for "non-existent?"

Perhaps I shouldn't be so harsh, the train between the Gold Coast and Brisbane does carry bikes (outside of "peak" hours) free of charge. However, that doesn't necessarily fall within the definition of "in my city". Nor does it really help the poor old commuter, who will probably be travelling within those "peak" hours.

You should find out what their policy is on folding bikes. Seriously. I can almost assure you their policy on folding bikes will be entirely different. ALL rail transport in the New York Metro area will accept folding bikes even during rush hour provided it's folded and in a bag.

You should find out what their policy is on folding bikes. Seriously. I can almost assure you their policy on folding bikes will be entirely different. ALL rail transport in the New York Metro area will accept folding bikes even during rush hour provided it's folded and in a bag.

You could be right. On the other hand, this is Queensland, where you're expected to set your watch back 35 years on entering the state. It wouldn't surprise me if they didn't know the difference.

In anycase, I rarely ride public transport anyway, so I haven't bothered to ask.

You should find out what their policy is on folding bikes. Seriously. I can almost assure you their policy on folding bikes will be entirely different. ALL rail transport in the New York Metro area will accept folding bikes even during rush hour provided it's folded and in a bag.
Sounds like folding bikes are perfect for riding the train. Do you find that folding bikes are just as good for longer trips?