Justen

Hi Koffee,

You are absolutely right. The cyclist is the only one who is accountable for the security of his bike. The drivers cannot be expected to remember which bike belongs to whom. Furthermore, even if you are right at the front of the bus watching your bike, there are alot of people boarding the bus. If somebody does attempt to snatch the bike, they could easily get it off the rack and cycle off before you can get through the crowd or go out the back door to retrieve it. At least having a lock on it would slow them down somewhat and might even deter them from even trying to grab it in the first place.
I think it is just downright careless to put an expensive bike on bus bike rack, go and sit right at the back of the bus and then expect the driver to watch it for you as I have seen some do.
Your bike, your responsibility.

I am very glad that they don't charge us for using the bike racks either. It is a great service !

Justen

Paul L.

Phoenix Metro has bike racks on all the buses. I use the bus to bypass the bike-Hostile roads when I don't want to add the extra 3 miles to my commute or don't bike commute both ways (42 miles a day can get a little tiring everyday). Supposedly we are getting a commuter train in the next few years. Hopefully it will have bike racks.

rhoderhage

I agree that the bike rider should be keeping close watch of the bike if it is on the bike rack. If I am placing my bike on the bus, I place if on the rack and board the bus last. I sit in the front of the bus and watch my bike. I have never done this, but, I would think if you placed a u-lock on both the front and bike wheels right before you loaded if on the bus it would make it difficult for someone to quickly ride off with it. Placing a u-lock attaching the bike to the bus rack would be even better. I tend to only put my older, cheaper bike on the bus.

Justen

Hi,

This is exactly what I do. I never let the bike out of my sight at any time. When I lock the bike, I will put the lock through the lower part of the frame and one of the wheels so that nobody can just cycle off with it. I have never locked it to the rack because there is not much to lock it to easily.

Justen

RonH

OK you got me. What is a Seabus? What is a Skytrain?

Justen

I live in Vancouver. The seabus is part of the BC Transit system and ferries around 300 people (on each trip) back and forth across the Burrard Inlet between Vancouver and North Vancouver each day. It runs every 15 minutes during the day and then every half hour later in the evening.

The Skytrain is our commuter train that runs both under ground and up way above the ground on rails.

Justen

khuon

From what I remember of Vancouver, Seabus is their ferry system and Skytrain is their light-rail.

Dahon.Steve

In New York City, we have a militant organization that fought hard to get bikes on the subway DURING RUSH HOUR! One thing is to make a rule allowing bikes on the subway, another thing is to actually get them on packed cars!

I don't understand why people are afraid of folding bikes. I have been using them quite successfully inside the cabin on buses (covered) and trains during rush hour. It seems everyone thinks if the bus doesn't have a rack, they're out of luck. It's not the case anymore. Folding bikes work folks.

Justen

Yes...the Seabus is like a commuter ferry. They actually look pretty cool. Very popular during tourist season too !

https://www.seanspot.com/photos/transit/SeabusView1.htm

https://members.tripod.com/~Sir_Fuzz/pics2.htm

Check out the pics. The second site has a picture of it. All those passengers with bikes have to go in at the back of the Seabus. Rush hour is tough.

Justen

Raiyn

Drivers here get downright hostile whenever you try to lock your bike to the rack. As if the extra second it takes to pull the ends of pre-positioned cable lock around the rack is going to matter. Unlocking is even quicker. I just don't get it

Justen

Yeah..some of the bus drivers here get pretty antsy when they see somebody starting to put a bike on the rack during rush hour, let alone locking it to the rack. I don't know what the problem is because they are still loading passengers even after I have got the bike on the rack and locked it. However, I have to say that the majority of drivers are pretty good with cyclists.

I generally just put the lock through the frame and front wheel to deter thieves. When I get to my stop, I can lift it off the rack onto the sidewalk and unlock it there.

Justen

Guest

If they get antsy, tell them they can be held financially responsible for the bike if they would rather keep an eye on it, since it's such a bother for them to wait that extra 3 seconds to secure the bike.

They would never try that sh*t in Chicago- drivers know better.

Koffee

ridealot

This is direct from our local transit company:

Bikes are transported at the owner’s risk. Availability is
on a first-come, first-serve basis. SORTA/Metro is not
responsible for bikes that are lost, stolen, or damaged
while they are on the bike rack or at any of our facilities.

The bus driver is not held financially responsible.

I would recheck your local bus company to make sure.

Guest

And THAT'S why the drivers shouldn't be upset if you are securing your bike. I would not take attitude from a driver about locking my bike- either let me lock it in peace, or you better keep your eye out on my bike and be prepared to run your donut-eatin', flabby @ss after the thief who stole my bike.

Koffee

Justen

I was just thinking - There isn't actually much they can do if you do stand there and lock it up. I mean, you are standing right in front of the bus. Where can they go without running you over ?? Same when you are taking it off the rack. They can't drive until the rack is up and you are not in the way.

One of the buses I use regularly has such a high volume of passengers getting on and off that the stops I use that they are still loading while I lock mine up (unless it is the evening). Since I pay my bus fare, I guess I should expect that they sit patiently and wait for me to do what I need to, to secure my bike.

Justen

oscaregg

Down here in Vancouver, WA, all of our C-Tran buses are equipped with bike racks. I almost always see them in use; a nice sight in our idiotically autocentric 'burb. I use them maybe a half-dozen times a year. BTW, they work for bikes with full-coverage fenders.

ridealot

Now I see your point.

rhoderhage

In the event that you end up transporting your bike inside the bus because the bike rack is full or the bus has no rack, I suggest that you secure your bike to one of the support bars inside with a u-lock or a peice of velcro. It can be a safety issue if the bus makes a short stop. The velcro has worked great for me. I guess this might be a good idea for commuter train or ferry if it is practical.