National Academies Press: OpenBook

Integration of Bicycles and Transit (2005)

Chapter: Chapter Five - Integration of Bicycles with Other Public Transit Services

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Suggested Citation:"Chapter Five - Integration of Bicycles with Other Public Transit Services." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2005. Integration of Bicycles and Transit. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13554.
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Page 31
Page 32
Suggested Citation:"Chapter Five - Integration of Bicycles with Other Public Transit Services." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2005. Integration of Bicycles and Transit. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13554.
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Page 32

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FIGURE 25 Bicycle on ferry—Washington State Ferries. (Source: Rita Robinson, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.) 32 Although bicycles are most commonly accommodated on buses and trains, transit agencies have also found ways to integrate bicycles with other public transit services, includ- ing ferries, vanpools, on-demand transit, and mountain tran- sit systems. BICYCLES ON FERRIES The opportunity to bring bicycles on board ferries allows ferry passengers with bikes to reach destinations that are too far from ferry terminals to reach by walking. In Washington State and British Columbia, ferry service has long been an essential form of transportation owing to the physical geog- raphy of the region. Bicycles on Ferry Transit Washington State Ferries—Seattle, Washington Washington State Ferries registers more than 200,000 bicycle round- trips per year. There is a surcharge for bringing a bicycle on most ferry routes (between $0.50 and $6.00, depending on the route dis- tance and time of day). However, the surcharge is waived if a bicyclist has purchased a permit for $20. Permits can be obtained by regis- tering a bicycle on-line or by mail. Each ferry stores bicycles and motor vehicles in close quarters, which has been a challenge for the ferry system (see Figure 25). Minor scratching of both bicycles and cars led to a change in loading policy. The revised policy allows bicy- clists to board and disembark the ferry ahead of cars. BICYCLES ON VANPOOLS Accommodating bicycles on vanpool vehicles is another way for transit agencies to provide bicycle services to their cus- tomers. Vans can often use generic car bike racks, which do not require customization. A vanpool, which is often used for commuter purposes, can efficiently extend the reach of its service by carrying bicycles. Commuters can ride to the van- pool meeting places and then from the vanpool destination to their specific place of employment. Bicycles on Vanpool Vehicles Regional Transportation District/Denver Regional Council of Governments—Denver, Colorado The RTD (transit agency) and the Denver Regional Council of Gov- ernments (metropolitan planning organization) initiated a bicycle- on-vanpool program in 2002. Vanpool services are provided primarily for groups of commuters traveling together to a similar location, in most cases a single workplace. Vanpool riders must travel at least 24 km (15 mi) to work, are required to have a group of at least four to join the program, and must have a group of six within 3 months to sustain the vanpool. Riders are expected to meet in a single location for pickup. The RTD and Council of Govern- ments provide the van, fuel, and maintenance. Vanpool patrons pay a monthly fee ranging from $35 to $105. There is no additional fee for transporting bicycles. Vans feature racks that can accommodate two bicycles at a time. The vans are easily outfitted with racks because they are standard passenger vans that can use generic automobile bicycle racks (see Figure 26). Vanpool destinations often accommodate bicycle com- muters with long-term bicycle parking, such as the lockers shown in the background of the figure. BICYCLES ON MOUNTAIN TRANSIT SYSTEMS Mountain transit systems typically serve a greater number of recreational users than do urban or suburban transit systems. In regions where recreational trails abound, transit riders may use transit to travel between different trail segments or to access trail heads that are some distance from their home (or local accommodation). Some mountain transit systems provide bus–bicycle racks for people participating in moun- tain biking at ski resorts during the summer season. Not only can riders take their bicycles on mountain transit vehicles, but riders may also bring their bicycles aboard gondolas and chairlifts. CHAPTER FIVE INTEGRATION OF BICYCLES WITH OTHER PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICES

33 transit. Although the transit vehicles are typically smaller, bicycles can still be accommodated with front-mounted bicy- cle racks. On-Demand Transit Bicycle Services BC Transit—Victoria, British Columbia, Canada In rural areas surrounding Victoria, British Columbia, on-demand tran- sit service provides transportation to residents who do not live within comfortable walking distance of regular transit stops. Using modified vans called community buses, BC Transit allows deviations from fixed-route and fixed-schedule service to be requested in areas of low population density. The community buses used by BC Transit are out- fitted with the same racks that are mounted on the front of BC Tran- sit’s 200 conventional transit buses (see Figure 28). However, front- mounted bicycles on the community buses block the headlights, which limits the time that bicyclists may use the service to daylight hours. BC Transit currently operates four community buses in the Greater Victoria metropolitan area. On-demand service is offered in the suburbs of Colwood, Langford, and Metchosin (these communi- ties have populations of between 5,000 and 20,000). Accommodat- ing bicyclists with on-demand transit provides rural customers with an amenity that might otherwise only be offered in a more urban setting. Mountain Transit System Bicycle Services Town of Breckenridge Free Ride—Breckenridge, Colorado The town of Breckenridge allows bicycles on buses that run to and from local ski resorts (see Figure 27). This augments transit services for people commuting around Breckenridge and also provides trans- portation access to recreational destinations. Breckenridge Free Ride is especially convenient for recreational cyclists looking to ride down- hill during the ski resorts’ summer season. Local resorts accommo- date bicycles on chairlifts during the summer for downhill riding. BICYCLES ON ON-DEMAND TRANSIT In communities where the demand for transit service is low owing to population density or other factors, on-demand transit may be a more cost-effective method of operation for the transit provider. On-demand transit services may employ smaller transit vehicles than fixed-route or fixed-schedule FIGURE 26 Bicycle rack on vanpool vehicle—Regional Transportation District (Denver). FIGURE 27 Bicycles are allowed on buses that run to and from local ski resorts—Breckenridge (Colorado) Free Ride. FIGURE 28 BC Transit (Victoria) on-demand transit provides bike racks on community buses that can be used during daylight hours.

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TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 62: Integration of Bicycles and Transit examines how transit agencies may improve their existing services and assist other communities in developing new bicycle and transit services. Synthesis 62 updates TCRP Synthesis 4: Integration of Bicycles and Transit (1994).

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