Originally Posted by
pacificcyclist
What kind of front rack your transit bus is using?!? Almost all bicycle front rack on buses take a minimum of 40cm / 16" diameter wheel, which means that even a Brompton would fit (tried it here with Translink and my Dahon as well as Arizona (using the same bar restraining system as our Translink buses in Vancouver) with the slower then molasses bus schedule. The restraining bar that usually goes on the front tire will now have to go on the top tube. It's a similar restraining bar system they use with our Massey Tunnel bus shuttle service as well. So I'm not sure why are you worrying so much on something you perhaps haven't tried fitting because you might feel embarrassed holding up the driver?!? Don't be. If you're new to this, pick a morning weekend when it's not busy and the driver is willing to wait for you fumbling around with the rack. Once you get proficient with it, it's a piece of cake. If you worry about taking the bike in, why not again pick a weekend and try it out for yourself. Why are you doubting yourself so much when you can at least give it a go on the local bus circuit. That's how I did it. With Translink, you need a bag to cover the bike during rush hours. Bag encloses the dirt and chain, so other patrons don't get tire marks or chain oil on their pants or skirts. Personally, I don't even bother taking the bike in the bus if the rack is empty because I have to take an extra step to fold it and bag it during rush hour.
I am not doubting myself nor am I embarrased about holding up the driver, but I do not like to hold up a bus full of passengers that might be trying to make a connection that otherwise might cost them an hour. We have very long headways here so if you miss one bus you wait typically an hour. For some that could be the loss of a job.
Also, if I can put my folder inside I can leave a space for someone else - see comment above about waiting an hour for the next bus.
I do not want to start a two week vacation with my daughter in tow and train schedule to keep only to step on the bus and be told that we cannot bring the bikes on.
I have had many bikes on the front and am familiar with that, but I do worry about it getting taken as well as damaged by other bikes. Had I not been at the station when another rider loaded his bike my Brooks saddle would have been ruined by his open ended steel handlebar that was hitting the saddle (i took out a multitool and raised my seat out of the way).
What I am interested in is getting an idea of which agency allows it so I can contact them and get their policy so that I can use it here with our transit agency. Always better to have an example to cite.