Integrating Bicycles and Transit Through Bike-to-Bus Strategy

As bikes-on-bus (BOB) programs become popular and demand increases, the typical rack capacity of only two bicycles per bus can limit the integration of bicycles and transit. The purpose of the project, A Return on Investment Analysis of Bikes-on-Bus Programs (2005), was to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of BOB programs, and develop recommendations on how transit agencies can overcome rack capacity limitations. Fifteen transit agencies and over 200 BOB users were surveyed. This paper focuses primarily on the results of the BOB user survey and the implementation of the bike-to-bus strategy. The BOB user survey results showed that BOB programs attract new patrons, encourage increased use of transit, and expand the transit service area. When faced with rack capacity limitations, the transit agencies have added three-bike capacity racks. While added rack capacity can improve the integration of bicycles and transit, it is recommended that transit agencies invest in a bike-to-bus strategy. The survey results showed that BOB users tend to bicycle a greater distance from their residence to the bus stop than between the bus stop and the work site. Therefore, this strategy is centered on the provision of bicycle parking at bus stops and transfer centers to accommodate BOB users that need their bicycle on only one side of their transit trip. Bicycle parking at bus stops, specifically in residential areas, can ease the impact of rack capacity limitations and maximize the potential of bicycles as a means to access transit.