Stephen Box responds to a question about Metro/CALSTART’s Folding Bikes Survey
First things first!
1) The Metro must accommodate cyclists and their bikes on the Metro's Transportation System, from Rail to Buses to Metro Facilities.
2) End-of-trip support must include safe, secure and efficient bike parking commitment.
3) Alternative Bike programs such as Bike Share and Folding Bike Subsidies are, by definition, "Alternative!" They are not a substitute for good, simple operating commitments. They complement a Metro commitment to access and end-of-trip facilities for cyclists.
4) The need for caution is in Failing's comment: ""Customers can alleviate the need for bicycle parking entirely and can complete the first and last miles of their trips more efficiently. Metro can increase its transit ridership with more bicyclists while effectively managing the transit system's capacity."
5) The survey demonstrates the huge disconnect between the Metro's perception of reality and...reality! Who will be buying Folding Bikes? What are the bus lines that have the highest number of bike commuters? The Metro's survey is targeting a middle class rail market. (plus the Orange Line) How about the overcrowded #4 which is so packed that cyclists simply give up? How about the #150 or the #761 or some of the other critical and crowded bus routes? Has the Metro determined how many cyclists can't get on these crowded buses? (Trick question! The answer is "n!"o)
6) The Metro has received huge requests for Triple Racks. The response? Folding bikes! The Metro has received huge requests for a Bike Car on rail. The response? Folding Bikes! The Metro has received huge requests for Bikes on Board Buses. The response? Folding bikes! The Metro has received huge requests for parity in Metro accommodation for "stuff" (Baby carriages to luggage to bikes) The response? Folding Bikes!
7) The Metro's Folding Bike program is a distraction from the real opportunity for systemic capacity enhancement. It's a solution in search of a problem. It targets a niche audience and will distract from capacity solutions that address the needs of the larger cycling community who can't or won't be interested in investing in another bike, simply to take their place in the transit mix as a Transportation Solution!
1) The Metro must accommodate cyclists and their bikes on the Metro's Transportation System, from Rail to Buses to Metro Facilities.
2) End-of-trip support must include safe, secure and efficient bike parking commitment.
3) Alternative Bike programs such as Bike Share and Folding Bike Subsidies are, by definition, "Alternative!" They are not a substitute for good, simple operating commitments. They complement a Metro commitment to access and end-of-trip facilities for cyclists.
4) The need for caution is in Failing's comment: ""Customers can alleviate the need for bicycle parking entirely and can complete the first and last miles of their trips more efficiently. Metro can increase its transit ridership with more bicyclists while effectively managing the transit system's capacity."
5) The survey demonstrates the huge disconnect between the Metro's perception of reality and...reality! Who will be buying Folding Bikes? What are the bus lines that have the highest number of bike commuters? The Metro's survey is targeting a middle class rail market. (plus the Orange Line) How about the overcrowded #4 which is so packed that cyclists simply give up? How about the #150 or the #761 or some of the other critical and crowded bus routes? Has the Metro determined how many cyclists can't get on these crowded buses? (Trick question! The answer is "n!"o)
6) The Metro has received huge requests for Triple Racks. The response? Folding bikes! The Metro has received huge requests for a Bike Car on rail. The response? Folding Bikes! The Metro has received huge requests for Bikes on Board Buses. The response? Folding bikes! The Metro has received huge requests for parity in Metro accommodation for "stuff" (Baby carriages to luggage to bikes) The response? Folding Bikes!
7) The Metro's Folding Bike program is a distraction from the real opportunity for systemic capacity enhancement. It's a solution in search of a problem. It targets a niche audience and will distract from capacity solutions that address the needs of the larger cycling community who can't or won't be interested in investing in another bike, simply to take their place in the transit mix as a Transportation Solution!