Trends Integrating bicycling with public transit

by Larry Lagarde

Recently, 2 American academics specializing in research on transit usage and policies published a paper detailing what transit agencies are doing in 8 major North American cities to integrate bicycling with use of mass transit (see Integrating Bicycling and Public Transport in North America).

Noting that bicycle commuting and transit use are at record highs, the paper cites 5 trends in which transit agencies across America are working to promote bike+ride (better bike parking provisions at transit stops, bike stations in transit hubs, bike racks on buses, bikes on board commuter rail and bikeways connecting to transit). Surprisingly, the paper failed to fully identify a 6th trend: policy changes encouraging folding bikes on transit.

The paper made 6 isolated mentions of folding bikes, noting in each case that many transit agencies allow folders on mass transit lines or during peak hours when regular bike users are likely to be turned away. Although this was not identified as a trend, it should have been.

Transit agencies see a clear advantage in allowing folding bikes. Folders typically take up a fraction of the space of a standard bike so more transit users can bring folders aboard without significantly impacting ride capacity. Most folding bikes are designed for use over short distances and are well suited for use as first/last mile connectors on transit journeys. Transit agencies can easily accommodate increasing numbers of transit riders that use folding bikes because folders require little to no improvements in transit infrastructure (folders do not require stationary racks on transit or at transit stops).

Although the paper did not mention this, expect to see transit agencies in major metro areas using folding bikes to manage transit demand and increase transit ridership. In fact, the Los Angeles Metro is working now on a pilot project that will attract new transit users via a folding bike incentive and transit in Santa Cruz, CA has already done so.