Transit and Commuting

Tips for Integrating Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation with Transit

Bus and train services should be easily accessible to people on foot; every bus trip and most train and light rail trips start with someone walking to the bus stop or station. To facilitate pedestrian’s use of transit:

• Ensure crosswalks are available to enable people to access bus stops on each side of a busy road.
• Ensure bus stops are located where there are sidewalks.
• Ensure bus stops provide shelter, transit information or seating.

Bicyclists are a great potential market for transit services. People will generally bicycle three to four times as far as they will walk, and this could extend the catchment area of a train station from a half mile to two miles. To facilitate bicyclist’s use of transit:

• Ensure there are place to safely park bicycles.
• Ensure parking is located in an accessible area.
• Ensure the roads leading to the station have bike lanes or other bike facilities.

Successful integration of bicycling, walking and transit cannot be taken for granted. It requires careful planning, good design and a commitment to making the combination work.

Most communities who integrate bicycle and bus transportation use racks that carry two bicycles. Bikes can be quickly loaded and unloaded from the bus without causing delays, and rack designs have been modified to ensure bus headlights remain visible and other operational problems do not arise.

Bicycling and Walking to Work Programs

Bicycling and walking programs involve employees bicycling or walking to their place of business, or combining biking and walking with another form of transit.

Examples of bicycling and walking programs include:

• Adding bike racks and/or lockers to buildings that do not already have bicycle parking.
• Adding shower and changing facilities at workplaces.
• Providing a commuting incentive program for those who bike or walk to work.

A bicycle or pedestrian commuting program can help with employee issues such as health care costs, turnover, morale, productivity, absenteeism, and monthly parking costs. When employers support bicycling or walking to work, they provide a service that is highly valued by employees, cost-effective, beneficial for the environment, and a good business decision.

Links

• Arlington Transportation Partners – Details of a successful bicycle commuter program.
• BicyleInfo.Org Bicycles on Buses – An overview of bus accommodation of bicycles.
• BicyleInfo.Org Bicycles on Trains – An overview of train accommodation of bicycles.
• BikeMap.Com list of Georgia bus systems permitting bicycles on board.
• CommuterConnections.Org – A regional commuting website containing program examples.
• Federal Transit Administration Report Bicycles and Transit: A Partnership that Works  (PDF–1.5Mb)
• Metro Washington Council of Government: Commuter Guide for Employees and Employers.
• Tucson Park and Ride Program – A national leader in Park& Ride programs.