London Transit has installed bike racks on some of its buses, available on only a few routes for now. As someone who happily rides in heavy traffic and in virtually any weather condition, I don't know when or if I would ever use one. Perhaps in the case of a serious mechanical failure (which is pretty unlikely on my fixed gear) I could use a bus to get my bike home. It could also come in handy if I went out and had a few too many beers to ride... although I don't take my bike if I know I'll be drinking.
I was tempted to post another poll on this topic, but I don't want to limit ideas to what I can dream up. I'm curious what, if any, experience anyone reading this may have had with them. If you would like to leave a comment, I would appreciate it.
Thanks In Advance,
R A N T W I C K
6 comments:
Back when I bike-commuted in Chicago, I had a crank arm fall off (my fixie!) just as a bus was pulling up behind me. I hopped off, ran to the bus stop at the end of the block and hopped right on. That's the only time I used the rack, but it was super useful.
We also have them where I live now, and though I've never used them, I do see them being used all the time.
Yep, that definitely qualifies as a "mechanical"! You must have applying some serious force! Thanks for commenting.
The only problem with them (and I understand this isn't as bad as not having them at all) is you can't rely on them to be available. There are people that make it a regular part of their commute here in Seattle, so there is almost always one spot full, if not both of them. I've gotten used to just not taking them at all. In the case of a mechanical, they are very useful provided there is a free space.
Robert - It's good to know that people are liking and using them, at least. I'm glad I wasn't planning to work them into my regular routine. Thanks for your note.
All the buses in my town have bike racks, but I've only used them a few times, usually in the event of unanticipated company or cargo (at least before I had racks on my bike).
They're not used really heavily, but I'd say they are used regularly. I have seen someone bring a bike inside the bus (stowed in the wheelchair fold-up seat area) when the rack was full, but I think that was an exception allowed by the driver, not a policy.
In conclusion, I don't use the bus racks much any more (especially since I realized my commute is indeed faster by bike than by bus), but I appreciate that the option is available.
Unanticpated company... that's a good example of when I just might use one. I'm like you and have pretty good capacity for cargo.
Thanks for commenting, Jim.
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