The Chainlink

Teach a friend - Bike on a Bus

I was walking past the CTA HQ yesterday and thought it would be a good time to remind people about the "put a bike on a bus" training demo they have.

If you are trying to encourage people to ride their bike more, take them to Lake and Jefferson and help them learn how to put their bike on the bus. It's by the Jefferson entrance of the building and is a full-sized bus bike rack where you can practice pulling it down and putting your bike on it.

I used to find it intimidating, but now love knowing how to do this and knowing that if I can't ride home, I can always get on a bus with my bike.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on April 12, 2012 at 11:24am

Leah, that's so true.  Are there how-to videos we can send people to?

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 12, 2012 at 11:25am

+1

The only problem with putting your bike on the bus is that you have to ride the bus...

Yuck.

Permalink Reply by David on April 12, 2012 at 11:34am


It would be very nice to have similar videos for the Metra and for the El. I had a few really nerve-wracking false starts taking my bike on the Metra. And I *still* don't really feel comfortable taking my bike on the El.

Julie Hochstadter said:

Leah, that's so true.  Are there how-to videos we can send people to?

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on April 12, 2012 at 11:36am

I ride the bus a lot.  I used to get sick and for some reason now I don't.  And, for people who are new to cycling, it helps them if they get tired, weather changes, it's dark, or they get a flat.   It's a great option we have here.  I never discourage people from biking a portion and having the bus as a back up.

I just did this with a roommate.  She never bikes, but sees all my bikes and my friends who love to bike so she asked to borrow my bike to ride from Ravenswood to Wicker Park.

I told her that if she gets tired or it gets dark and she isn't comfortable riding home, hop on the bus.

Well, she rode all the way there and took the bus back.  She was so proud of herself for riding all the way there (4 miles?) and was able to get the bike on the bus to go home.

There is a barrier of entry for biking in the city, and having the option of a multi model commute lowers that barrier of entry and gives an extra comfort zone. 

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on April 12, 2012 at 11:37am

David, thanks!
David said:



It would be very nice to have similar videos for the Metra and for the El. I had a few really nerve-wracking false starts taking my bike on the Metra. And I *still* don't really feel comfortable taking my bike on the El.

Julie Hochstadter said:

Leah, that's so true.  Are there how-to videos we can send people to?

Permalink Reply by Leah Jone on April 12, 2012 at 12:37pm

I agree that not knowing how to do bus/bike is a barrier to entry. Being confident in putting your bike on the bus opens up the city - that's why I had my group ride stop there in September, because I still didn't know how to do it.

Julie Hochstadter said:

I ride the bus a lot.  I used to get sick and for some reason now I don't.  And, for people who are new to cycling, it helps them if they get tired, weather changes, it's dark, or they get a flat.   It's a great option we have here.  I never discourage people from biking a portion and having the bus as a back up.

I just did this with a roommate.  She never bikes, but sees all my bikes and my friends who love to bike so she asked to borrow my bike to ride from Ravenswood to Wicker Park.

I told her that if she gets tired or it gets dark and she isn't comfortable riding home, hop on the bus.

Well, she rode all the way there and took the bus back.  She was so proud of herself for riding all the way there (4 miles?) and was able to get the bike on the bus to go home.

There is a barrier of entry for biking in the city, and having the option of a multi model commute lowers that barrier of entry and gives an extra comfort zone. 

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 12, 2012 at 2:57pm

+1  Having more options helps making bikes a more viable means of transportation for anyone who's new to transportation riding, has any problems, or simply wants to reach destinations what aren't within the range they can comfortably ride to.

Julie Hochstadter said:

I ride the bus a lot.  I used to get sick and for some reason now I don't.  And, for people who are new to cycling, it helps them if they get tired, weather changes, it's dark, or they get a flat.   It's a great option we have here.  I never discourage people from biking a portion and having the bus as a back up.

I just did this with a roommate.  She never bikes, but sees all my bikes and my friends who love to bike so she asked to borrow my bike to ride from Ravenswood to Wicker Park.

I told her that if she gets tired or it gets dark and she isn't comfortable riding home, hop on the bus.

Well, she rode all the way there and took the bus back.  She was so proud of herself for riding all the way there (4 miles?) and was able to get the bike on the bus to go home.

There is a barrier of entry for biking in the city, and having the option of a multi model commute lowers that barrier of entry and gives an extra comfort zone. 

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 12, 2012 at 3:09pm

I think the video above is a great intro to demystify the process.  I just posted a piece on our new Chicago Cycling Club blog about this very topic, to follow up a recent post about taking a bike on Metra or CTA trains.

Permalink Reply by MK on April 12, 2012 at 3:19pm

I don't think a video is really necessary for Metra... just remember to make sure it's at a time you can take the bike on, bring a bungee chord, look for a handicap accessible car, and get there early.

Also, have a backup plan.

David said:

It would be very nice to have similar videos for the Metra and for the El. I had a few really nerve-wracking false starts taking my bike on the Metra. And I *still* don't really feel comfortable taking my bike on the El.
Permalink Reply by Leah Jone on April 12, 2012 at 4:08pm

More than a video, you need a pep talk for the Metra. You need to be able to really lift your bike to get up the stairs, then you have to be willing to ask people to move out of the bike seats... which isn't always easy to do.

You also have to try and figure out who the other cyclists are (in case you lock up to them) and figure out who is getting off first, then do the "getting the bike off the train" dance.

There are a lot more variables in Metra + bike than CTA + bike.

MK said:

I don't think a video is really necessary for Metra... just remember to make sure it's at a time you can take the bike on, bring a bungee chord, look for a handicap accessible car, and get there early.

Also, have a backup plan.

David said:

It would be very nice to have similar videos for the Metra and for the El. I had a few really nerve-wracking false starts taking my bike on the Metra. And I *still* don't really feel comfortable taking my bike on the El.
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 12, 2012 at 5:19pm

+1

I've only ridden Metra twice with a bike but I think it all depends on when and where you get on.  If you are at the end of the line when you get on the car is obviously going to be empty.  Riding home in the evening towards town it isn't so bad when you are way out in Bufu and not many folks are riding back into the city.   

Then again when you are out in bufu and hoping to catch a train back it sucks to miss it or be denied a ride because of some blackout date and end up riding an extra 40 or so miles you were not intending to ride in the dark -especially if it is the last one of the day. 

Leah Jone said:

More than a video, you need a pep talk for the Metra. You need to be able to really lift your bike to get up the stairs, then you have to be willing to ask people to move out of the bike seats... which isn't always easy to do.

You also have to try and figure out who the other cyclists are (in case you lock up to them) and figure out who is getting off first, then do the "getting the bike off the train" dance.

There are a lot more variables in Metra + bike than CTA + bike.


Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 12, 2012 at 5:53pm

Yes, there are definitely more variables w/Metra than CTA.  Getting the bike up the stairs is tougher at some locations than others.  A lightweight or folding bike can be a real advantage in that respect.

The bungee cord is a must-have.  Some confidence to ask people to move when necessary is helpful, too, although some conductors are really great about it.





Leah Jone said:

More than a video, you need a pep talk for the Metra. You need to be able to really lift your bike to get up the stairs, then you have to be willing to ask people to move out of the bike seats... which isn't always easy to do.

You also have to try and figure out who the other cyclists are (in case you lock up to them) and figure out who is getting off first, then do the "getting the bike off the train" dance.

There are a lot more variables in Metra + bike than CTA + bike.

MK said:

I don't think a video is really necessary for Metra... just remember to make sure it's at a time you can take the bike on, bring a bungee chord, look for a handicap accessible car, and get there early.

Also, have a backup plan.

David said:

It would be very nice to have similar videos for the Metra and for the El. I had a few really nerve-wracking false starts taking my bike on the Metra. And I *still* don't really feel comfortable taking my bike on the El.

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