jamesdemien

I was wondering if this makes me lazy, not really a bike commuter or just a tool...and if anyone else out there puts there bike on the front of a bus, ours have those racks that look like they're going to eject your bike over every bump, do you worry about someone grabbing it at stop lights...

I usually sit up front, in the seat reserved for old ladies, and watch it pretty close but I am always worried someone is going to grab it and run with it. Which could prove comical cause its a fixie...

Anyway, if you guys use the bus rack let me know your feelings about security and whatnot...

jumpr

I've used them before, back when I wasn't as strong a biker as I am now. I'd pick up the bus downtown and it dropped me off right at my front door. I don't think it made me lazy, as I'm now making the entire trip by bike both ways.

I'm not worried about theft either, as: a) every bus in my city has a forward-facing video camera that'd capture an image of someone stealing my bike, and b) my bike is so junky that the nicest component is the $20 Nashbar saddle on it.

cooker

Of course, I'm too macho to need it, but still, I think it's a great idea because it's there to help other people...yeah, other people...integrate biking into their commute.

GTcommuter

I used it the night I broke an axle next to the Krispy Kreme in the bad part of town. They can be a real life saver in a true mechanical emergency. However I sit or stand right behind the driver so that I can keep an eye on it and hopefully chase down the guy that grabs it at a red light. Mine's not a fixie, but that would be awefully funny...

42x16

I used one the night I had an accident and couldn't get a cab to stop. I see a lot of people that use them in Portland and I've never heard of someone loosing a bike on a bump.

chicbicyclist

No, you're not lazy. commuting by bicycle is not a cut and paste, dry kind of thing. Use whatever you think will make your commute is easier.

I love these front racks, almost all of the public buses here have them. I used to use them when I go downtown, or in the valleys before I got my electric assist. They are a really good back up, too, if you don't like spending alot on that taxi on the way home.

beyondthesun

i use the trolley on my commute everyday with my bike, cuts off a ton of time, and then i don't show up to class all sweaty, since the way to school (SDSU) from where i live (old town area) is all up hill. so call me lazy fine, but's as long as im not in a personal car, then i'm fine.

Daily Commute

I've used them. They are a great back up when you get a mechanical problem you'd rather fix at home on a bike stand than on the side of the road. I always keep bus fare in my saddle bag in case of an emergency. I also used them as I was recovering from an injury and didn't feel up riding the whole way.

robmcl

I have used them durring intense rain falls or flat tires in cold weather. Very handy.

RonH

I've used them a time or two. Great for when unexpected weather rolls through, or your headlight quits and its dark, or when you're late and the bus is making better time than you can on the bike (very rare).

huhenio

I am looking forward to use it...

kb0tnv

I would worry more that it gets damaged. Not worried about it getting stolen.

Keep Cycling!

Jeff

ctoddrun

Bus? With a rack? What's that? I think I saw a picture once... public transportation is hard to come by in Fort Worth, and there is zero service where I live, though still in the city limits. Not sure I've ever seen a bus around to know if they have the racks or not, but I do think it's a cool concept...

bikebuddha 

Here in Atlanta nearly all the buses have racks and we're even allowed to take our bikes on the trains. It's great for when my daughter and I want an intown ride, we just throw the bikes on the front of the bus and ride from the Arts Center station.

vtjim

I used one once when the conditions on my trail were so awful with packed/postholed snow that I didn't want to subject myself to the ride any more. Went up onto side streets and caught a bus the 4 miles or so into town.

The bus folks encourage riders to sit up front to keep an eye on their bikes. Fortunately no old ladies needed my seat.

The racks (on our buses at least) are pretty secure, and the bikes don't bang into anything (or each other.)

DataJunkie

Technically I should have voted the first option but I like any poll option with the word bum in it.

I use one each day. I ride 30 miles into work and 15 miles back to a midpoint and take the bus.
Works fine. The arms are so stiff that anyone who tried to steal a bike would have to work at it. Plus, the arm is sandwiched between my fender and the wheel making it even more difficult to remove. The only issue is that lately with a sprained wrist it has been a big pain to put the bike on and off the rack.
Anyhow, in a month or so I intend to ride the whole way each way and not use the bus at all. I do not understand why mass transit is so expensive. I would rather spend that money on my bike.

Bolo Grubb

the bike rack on the front of most buses are made by sport works. I have the exact same bike rack on my car as a hitch mount. It works great. Never had any problems with it on bumpy roads or at highway speeds.

noisebeam

They are excellent.
I have never used it, but my wife has to get to downtown on occasion (vs. a 20mi ride ea. way)

Even though I haven't used it I am glad its there for the day I do need it, for example if my bike breaks beyond roadside repair or if I get suddenly sick while at work.

Al

Crazy Cyclist

I have used these racks a couple of times and they seem to be all right. The bike is a little shaky when the bus hits potholes etc... and I am a little worried about the bike falling off if it is not properly attached.

The only problem here is there is only one route that has the racks and most times I don't cycle that route.

I wish I could bring my bike inside the bus. They allow strollers the size of the Titanic and those stupid things take up way more room than my bike ever would, I would even walk my bike to the back of the bus if need be. I think it is unfair that strollers are allowed and not bikes.

patc

I use them about 6 times per year. I also sometimes walk my bike onto the LRT. Great for extra-long distances, or days when you made it there but don't feel up to making it back. I would have used them a lot over the winter, but our transit company removes the racks for the winter

Properly used they are actually very secure, just make sure you remove water bottles and such. Check you local policies for tips, we are asked to exit by the front door and let the driver know we need to retrieve a bike, the driver usually won't move until you signal "all clear".

noisebeam

Here are local AZ tips on line:
https://www.valleymetro.org/transit/Bikebus.htm (with sub link to illustrated instructions on how to use old and new style racks)

As to comment above about unfairness of stroller vs. bike on bike. For the local bus system here strollers are only allowed on bus if folded up and only folding bikes that are folded are allowed on bus too. I think that is fair.

Al

truman

More than half the Ft Worth buses have front racks (and all run on natural gas). I used it once, but it didn't hold my 29er firmly enough to suit me, and it added 15-20 minutes to the commute. Now I ride my Miyata which has fenders, so it won't work there, either.

DataJunkie

I have fenders and it works fine. I was able to mount the front freddy fender on my old hybrid high enough that the fender was not in the way. The new touring bike has SKS fenders that are mounted significantly lower. I just pry the front fender up to fit the hook under it.

Are the Ft Work racks a different design than the simple hook over the front tire ones?

PurpleK

I use the bus rack daily for about 20 miles each way. The racks are the ubiquitous ones from Sportsworks, and they hold the bike snugly in place even at high speed on the interstate. I also have fenders and simply place the hook as far up on the tire as I can without actually touching the fender. Never had a problem.

EricDJ

This is why I carry a couple of bus tokens with me in my wallet. I can't spend them since they are bus tokens and i'll always have them for an emergency. Busses don't take atm or cc. Good for safety.