alternatively, a ~6 bicycle rack per car seems like a great idea. but then they would have to enforce stricter rules: if your bike doesn’t fit, you must find another car or wait for the next train.

Additionally, if the issue is that bikes interfere with the safe boarding and unboarding of trains when the train is _full_ of passengers, why not make the rule specific to that situation instead of all hours restriction.

For example a rule that stipulates no more then two bikes when the train is fully loaded or no more then two bikes between 4:30 and 6:30.

The other thing that can be done is increase bicycle storage facilities so a greater number of bicycles can be left securely back at the train station.

Lastly, if bicycle demand is sufficient, how about one car per train that has a large number of seats removed to accommodate many bicycle. Say the last car in each train. Station signage could say, “persons with bicycles please use last train car.”

But you know in general I see young moms doing that, because they are not quite sure what they need. The moms that are older seem to not be as weighed down. I saw this young mom, maybe 20 on the bus. The stroller was as big as the mom. All of the older moms were helping her and the big stroller get situated they then gave her advice on how to properly ride the bus with a kid.

Then a person with a trashbag full of cans got on and the stroller seemed to be alot less annoying.

I’m not trying to be a jerk, but the going in the trash can and bringing that on the bus or train, that’s total bs. That spreads disease. That is disgusting. That needs to stop. And I understand times are tough, but it’s getting to the point that it is an everyday and every trip thing.

Browne

You have seen the enormous amounts of crap parents stuff into those things (along with the occasional kid) in order to run errands while using transit, no?

I can guarantee you that folded stroller rule is an invitation for 45 lbs. of random baby stuff and grocery bags to be spread over several seats or all over the floor. Or, worse yet, parents totally economically destroyed because they will be forced to drive everywhere (which they won’t be able to afford) to take care of the most menial tasks.

Tsk tsk tsk, we need to give people more options – not cut them off for being non-single and unencumbered by life’s little logistical struggles.

The “unencumbered passengers” are more important by sheer virtue of numbers. There are more of them than ones with bikes, strollers, luggage, or other items that take up more space than the passenger’s body by itself.

“Two-to-a-car bikes is a shitty idea. Should we only allow two tourists (with bags) per car on the Green Line? Two moms with strollers per car?

Why is the un-encumbered passenger so much more important than the others?”

For the record, I support as many bikes as can be fit into the area assigned to them, but I do not support them being fit anywhere in the rail car that the cyclist wants.

I also believe that luggage, tote bags, etc. are only welcome when they are not blocking aisles or doors and not taking up a seat in addition to the passenger.

Strollers should always be folded when taken on any transit vehicle, bus or rail. Those create a much more difficult logistics problem than have any cyclists I have ever encountered.

Another angle: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/779475095/

Why is the un-encumbered passenger so much more important than the others?

The other worrisome thing about vertical racks would be trying to load them on the racks while the train is starting to move. Has anyone hear ridden on trains with such racks? Is it ever a safety hazard to have someone trying to load a bike and then thrown off-balance by the train moving?

Folding bikes are similar: a good idea, but only a small percentage of the cycling population would spend the time and money to get a folding bike (decent ones cost from $500 to over $1200). I’m sure most cyclists who use transit are just using whatever beat-up old bike they can get their hands on that works.

Overall, I think that what will actually happen is probably the most cost-effective: keep those sections on the red/purple lines for handicap/luggage/bicycles, and most importantly put decals and signage on all the rail lines indicating the best section to be in if you have a bike. On the blue/green line it would be in the articulating sections or at the front/back bulkheads, blocking the driver’s door (in cars where there is no driver). On the breda trains it would be in the articulating section only. Folding bikes should be allowed anywhere they can fit.

There should definitely be limits. Perhaps two to a car (excepting folding bikes) during rush hour, and no limits during non-rush-hour times.

I agree that the transit system should adjust to accommodate its users and it seems like MTA probably needs to do a better job of studying how many users are trying to bring on things like bikes, luggage, and strollers.

Vertical racks may be a good solution, although I’ve never seen them in person. I think the long-term solution though is better service with an expanded ADA section in each car. If we’re fighting over scarce space, let’s make peak hour space less scarce by improving service.

Meanwhile, cyclists can help by bringing folding bikes on trains when space is scarce. I’ve seen it done beautifully several times.

Otherwise, I agree with your point.

Drivers are always complaining about being hassled by the law and being stopped for no reason. Cyclists are always complaining about being hassled by the law and being stopped for no reason.

Drivers hate dicks on the road. Cyclists hate dicks on the road.

Drivers are just trying to get where they need to go. Cyclists are just trying to get where they need to go.

Drivers complain about potholes, narrow roads and highways. Cyclists complain about potholes, narrow roads and lack of bike lanes.

Instead of working together, it turns into a fight about who started it and who’s worst. In my opinion, both sides have done stupid things.