Bike racks for public buses

Bike Racks for Public Transportation Buses

Many cities are encouraging people to commute to work, either by mass transit or biking. Since it is not possible for many people to bike to work or school due to the distance involved, weather elements or some other reason, bike racks have been installed on public transportation systems such as buses. As a result, bus transportation for bike riders has increased.

Some college towns around the country have encouraged biking along with mass transportation as a means of getting to work or to other areas around the city. Many college students do not have access to vehicles, so driving isn't an option. Busing and biking make perfect sense for people who need to get around the city, whether to work, school, or running various errands such as shopping, dentist and doctor appointments, etc. The transit district in many cities has equipped its buses with either front or rear mounted bike racks.

There are some advantages to front mounted bike racks on some buses such as the ability for two bikes to be loaded and unloaded independent of one another. In addition, more wheel sizes and frame types can be accommodated with front mounted bike racks.

Bike racks used on buses will accommodate most wheel sizes and frame types.

You need to know the rules for loading and unloading your bike onto the bus's bike rack. Have your bike ready to load when the bus approaches and make sure all loose items, such as water bottles, are off the bike. Inform the bus driver that you have a bike to load and load it from the curbside. It is obviously dangerous to load the bike from the traffic (driver's) side of the bus. You need to release the bike rack and lift your bike onto the rack, making sure that the wheels fit properly into the slots. Make sure the support arms are properly in place and that the bike is secure before boarding the bus.

To unload your bike, inform the driver that you need to unload your bike as you approach your stop. Raise the support arm, lift your bike out of the rack, then fold up the bike rack if no other bikes are stored there. Follow traffic rules by returning to the curb with your bike and wait for the bus to leave before proceeding.

Keep in mind that most bus transit companies are not responsible for any damage to your bike when it is in transit.

Most cities implement policies wherein the use of bike racks is free, provided there is only one bike per person. Most buses will not allow bikes on the inside of the bus for safety reasons.

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