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Use of bike racks on Metro Transit trains, buses grows

Use of bicycle racks on Metro Transit buses and trains has risen dramatically in just 18 months, a recent Metro Transit survey shows.

The increase in rack use is a sign that along with growing transit ridership, bicycling to work is on the rise in the Twin Cities. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, bicycle commuting grew by 49 percent in Minneapolis between 2006 and 2007. The city has the second highest bike commuting rate in the nation, just behind Portland, Oregon.

Results from Metro Transit’s survey, conducted in early fall, show that the number of bicycles loaded per trip on buses doubled since a similar survey was conducted in May 2007. On light rail, there was a 41% increase in bicycles loaded per trip over the same period.

Bus drivers tallied each time a customer used a bicycle rack between Sept. 22 and Oct. 5. Results indicate that customers loaded 870 bicycles on buses on an average weekday, 586 on Saturdays and 378 on Sundays.

Surveyors counted bicycles being loaded and unloaded on Hiawatha light-rail trains during a similar study period (weekends were not included). On average, about 2.5 bicycles were loaded on each trip.

Commuters combine use of bicycles with transit

More commuters are combining their use of bicycles with trips on a Metro Transit bus or train to make the most of their options, said Metro Transit Market Development Specialist John Siqveland.

“By not relying strictly on bicycling or transit, commuters can increase the number of transit facilities accessible to them and can eliminate transfers,” Siqveland said. “Combining modes can also give commuters more flexibility about their route and total trip time.”

Nearly 82% of bus customers walk to their stop, he said. About 70% of these customers walk a half mile or less between their stop and final destination. “One can easily travel two miles or more by bicycle in the same time it takes to walk a half mile. Intermodal options provide for a much larger transit service area,” he said.

For the first time, Metro Transit also recorded the number of intermodal travelers who were “bumped” because the bike rack on the bus was full. During the survey, customers encountered full racks on buses 485 times. When a bike rack is full, customers are asked to wait for the next bus.

“One use of this data is to identify choke points on bus routes that could indicate where Metro Transit, cities or other stakeholders might place additional bike lockers or racks to give intermodal commuters more options,” Siqveland said. “The data also can help us target outreach to teach safe and proper use of racks.”