Folding Bikes On Mass Transit - New Orleans

by Larry Lagarde

From time to time, folding bike users express concern whether they're allowed to take folding bikes aboard transit. With that in mind, I met with the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) last month proposing that they create a policy regarding folding bikes.

With NORTA's general manager and key staff in attendence, I demonstrated how compact folding bikes can be when folded. The impression I received was that they saw no problem with allowing folding bikes aboard the transit agencies buses and historic electric streetcar trolleys, provided that bikes are folded and placed in carrybags.

This afternoon, I placed a follow up call to Rosalind Blanco Cook, NORTA's Media & Public Relations Director. Rosalind had not received any word on a folding bike policy but she suggested that I contact Derrick Breun, one of the managers with Veolia Transportation (the multi-national transit management company that just got the contract to manage NORTA). Within 2 hours, I was copied on an internal memo authorizing the authority's transit drivers to allow folding bikes. WOW!

For the record, following is NORTA's new folding bike policy:

DRIVER’S ALERT!
Number 2009-11

To: All Operating Personnel

FROM: Gerard Guter
Assistant Director of Transportation

DATE: February 16, 2009

RE: Folding Bike Policy
______________________________________________________________________________


Effective immediately, passengers will be allowed to board all RTA vehicles with folding bikes. Passengers must place the bike under their seat; the bike cannot be placed on an additional seat. Also, as a safety precaution, the bikes cannot block the aisle.

Your usual cooperation is appreciated.


GG/wmm

Cc: Mark Major
Nazires Tolliver
Station Managers
Dale Delpit
Transit Police
Communication Dispatchers
Roz Cook
Justin Augustine
Derrick Breun
Brooke Monaco
Karen Wilson-Sider
Joseph Prier, President ATU Local #1560

I'm not sure whether even most micro folding bikes will fit under the seat of a streetcar trolley. Regardless, this is a great start on the part of NORTA & Veolia that shows a progressive and open attitude towards new ideas. Many thanks to both NORTA & Veolia.