Bus Bike Rack Sharing

[S. Arlington Observer]

This morning I confronted an issue I have never encountered before on my morning commute and I am seeking the wisdom of the group.

In the morning I bike to a bus and put my bike on the bus rack for the remainder of the trip. Usually I am the only bicycle rider using this particular bus.

This morning when my bus arrived there was a sole bike already IN THE FRONT POSITION of the two bike rack. While I stood there pondering how to get my bike into the slot behind the other one, the owner appeared since, thankfully, it was his stop. But what if it was not his stop?

I has never occurred to me to put my bike in the front slot. It always made sense to load from the back in case somebody else needed to add their own bike.

What is the proper etiquette for this situation? If somebody has loaded their bike in the front is it even possible to slip another behind? Has anybody done that?

I suppose I am always in danger of somebody loading one in front of me since I do use the back slot. So, I suppose, upon arriving at my stop, that I’d have to ask the person to temporarily remove theirs even if it is not their stop? Correct? Or has anybody slipped on out of the back slot with one loaded in the front?

Since this was the first time this happened I am at a loss about how to deal with it in the future.

Topic

[lordofthemark]

1. It has been a while, but I seem to recall managing to get my bike into the back slot when a bike was already in the front slot. Its a bit more awkward to maneuver it in or out, but possible

2. I have gotten conflicting opinions from bus operators, and one metrobus supervisor, on what they prefer when there is only one bike. Many seem to prefer the front rack, as that makes it easier for them to see where the front of the (now extended) bus is.

[dasgeh]

I’ve consistently been told to load a sole bike in the front slot. It’s easier for the driver to see the bike, and to see how much longer the bus is than normal. It’s also safer with the spring mechanism as it puts more force to keep the rack down. In fact, I’ve been told by drivers to reposition my back after I’ve gotten on the bus, delaying everyone.

I don’t do it a lot, but I know I’ve loaded into the back slot without problem.

[Tim Kelley]

Why doesn’t WMATA have their Bike on Bus video on their Bike on Bus web page?

http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/biking-in-arlington/bike-on-transit/

See right around the :43 mark.

[peterw_diy]

It’d be an awfully stupid design if you couldn’t load any vacant slot since you don’t know which cyclist will get off the bus first.

[Steve O]

@Tim Kelley 123909 wrote:

Why doesn’t WMATA _______ on _______ on their ______ ?

ftfy

[S. Arlington Observer]

@Tim Kelley 123909 wrote:

Why doesn’t WMATA have their Bike on Bus video on their Bike on Bus web page?

http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/biking-in-arlington/bike-on-transit/

See right around the :43 mark.

Thanks, all. I note that in both videos (one from MetroBus and one from ART – Arlington Transit) they show loading the lone bicycle in the back. And that makes sense as it allows another bike to be added without moving the existing one (or trying to slide one in sideways.) I’ll just hope that this (being blocked from either loading or unloading) does not happen very often. But, given the growing popularity of biking, I can see it happening more and more.

Not to mention when the day arrives and both slots are taken!

[Terpfan]

@Tim Kelley 123909 wrote:

Why doesn’t WMATA have their Bike on Bus video on their Bike on Bus web page?

http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/biking-in-arlington/bike-on-transit/

See right around the :43 mark.

That’s a helpful link. I’ve only done it ocne and honestly the driver helped me as I hadn’t really paid attention on how to do it.

It would be nice if the various regional buses let one or two park at the big pit stops for cyclists to learn how to do it during next year’s BTWD. Eg, when I stop in Alexandria, the LocalMotion thing is there giving out stuff, but thinking about it, just practicing putting it on would actually be a really helpful thing and probably put a lot of newer rider’s minds at ease.

[DCLiz]

@Terpfan 123992 wrote:

It would be nice if the various regional buses let one or two park at the big pit stops for cyclists to learn how to do it during next year’s BTWD.

There has been a bus to practice on the last two years at Freedom Plaza. It’s a great idea – would be great to see at more pit stops! I never thought about having trouble loading a bike in the back slot if the front one was taken. That always seemed like it would be a possibility, though — what if there were two bikes on the rack, and then one person got off, removing their bike from the back slot (is that harder too? to remove it from the back slot when there’s a bike in the front slot?)?

[KLizotte]

It would be a good idea to stick one on the mobile Commuter Store bus with a big sign that says “try me!”.

[jcflack54]

One day I was without my bike waiting for a bus with two bikers traveling together. When the bus arrived, there was already a bike on the rack. Each of the biker said to the other, “You go, I’ll wait. ” Finally, both stayed.

[Author]

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