Second Class Citizens

[jedi_tev]

I've recently been riding my bike to and from my former job, and when I would take my bike on Denver's RTD system I actually was treated like a second class citizen. First your forced to stand in ends of the cars, which understandable, the doors don't have the center hand rails for wheelchairs, but the rules only allow 2 bikes per end. (Have seen more on the over crowded G line) The "rules" also say you HAVE to stand there w/ your bike. I've sat down from time to time, but in a crowded train, you can't (understandable). I was on a virtually empty train one morning and a security gaurd came by and rudely chewed me and another bicyclist out. Sacramento has the same cars and have removed the seats where wheelchairs go and added hooks to the locations and now their trains can handle 8 bikes instead of just 4. I actually had some fat guy in a black shirt and pants w/ a badge (he wasn't doughnut engorged cop) with a big key chain try and tell me that would remove 8 seats for people to sit (I then pointed out 7 empty seats in our half of a crowded train to this gentleman, which shut him up). Does anyone know what kind of hooks these are? And how would one get them installed? Does anyone else have the same issues where they live? I think it's ridiculous. 

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I count my blessings with the rule in the Chicago area that doesn't allow bicycles on rush-hour trains and buses, there simply isn't enough space available.  The only sort of restraining devices that I've seen on trains or buses are floor-mounted latches and belts similar to seat belts, suitable for use with a wheelchair.  If you bring a bicycle, you've got to hold it.

[gardendance]

I'm sure there are several kinds of bicycle handling aparattus. The only kind I've seen are on NJTransit's Riverline. Next to the doors on one side, before the first set of 2 transverse seats, are 2 longiitudinal folding seats with 3 hooks mounted on the wall above them, photo http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/resources/bikes+on+transit, video http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/resources/presentations/bikevideos/septa. With this arrangement then 3 bikes would take up only 2 seats. Of course this might make the folks sitting in those first 2 transverse seats uncomfortable, but if there are other seats available and one decides to sit in those first 2 seats next to the bike racks then one should be prepared to have a bike in one's face.

The actor in the video uses lousy technique. He leans over and grabs the bike frame's bottom with one hand, other hand on the handle bar, lifts with his back. I keep both hands on the handlebars, lift the front wheel, bend my knees, put my belly into the seat, then straighten my legs to lift the bike into the rack. That keeps my hands from getting too dirty, keeps the bike from wobbling, and minimizes back strain. When you get to be my age you'll appreciate it. The other thing he does that shouldn't be in a demo video, he uses the aisle seat, so anybody who wants to share has to get past him to the window seat.

Something that amazes and bothers me are the times bicyclists decide not to use the racks. Several times I have boarded or alighted with my bike to find someone else has their bike blocking the doorway.

I'm assuming Denver was the same as the tranist operations I'm familiar with in the northeast US. The only one I remember that allowed any bicycles on board before 1990 was New York subway. I'd be surprised if Denver ever allowed bikes on board buses, I'm guessing that before light rail you couldn't take a bike on board any publice transit vehicle, so it'a a bit extreme to claim that you're treated as a second class citizen now that you are allowed.

Frankly I'm very grateful to have the ability to take a bike on board, and I understand that with a bike I'm always going to take up more room than someone who has no luggage at all, even though we both pay the same fare.

I count my blessings with the rule in the Chicago area that doesn't allow bicycles on rush-hour trains and buses

http://transitchicago.com/downloads/brochures/biketran.pdf doesn't say anthing about time limits on bus

[jedi_tev]

I used to drive for a small transit agency out in the SF Bay Area and they allowed bikes on board until they mounted bike racks on the front of the buses. Most transit agencies have them now. You pull it down and put the bike in and an arm rests on the front tire.

[Kay Boose]

When you have bike racks you have to have them on all the buses or it does not work. Albany NY had that problem for about 5 years and nobody knew not even the drivers which bus or when one would have a bike rack

[bb4884]

I actually had some fat guy in a black shirt and pants w/ a badge (he wasn't doughnut engorged cop) with a big key chain try and tell me that would remove 8 seats for people to sit. 

Huh? Black shirt? Black pants? Does not sound like a RTD Security officer to me. RTD uses Wackenhut officers. They wear kacki colored uniforums with a purple stripe down the side. I have only seen them wear black during the winter months. The "rules" are there for a reason. If a bike was in the LRV, meaning not on the ends, it would be in the way. Since it would be in the way, it is probable that it may prevent someone from getting off in time. That may start a fight. So it is understandable that RTD wants to prevent such conflicts. It is a privilege, not a right, to ride the trains.

[Phoebe Vet]

Here in Charlotte, CATS has bike racks on the outside of buses, and one rack per car inside the light rail.  They reserve the right to deny bikes when the train is "Tokyo crowded".

In Baltimore, they have bike lockers in many locations so that regular riders can leave a bike at their regular station.  Not a bad idea.

Do other cities have those as well?