With warmer weather finally on the way, it seemed like a good time to talk about taking your bike onto public transportation.
Following through on its commitment to be a “green” agency, MTA makes it easy to take your bicycle throughout the Baltimore region. Almost any standard-size pedal powered bicycle is welcome on MTA Local Bus, Light Rail and Metro Subway vehicles. (Keep in mind, though, that MARC Trains can only handle folding bikes, and Commuter Bus vehicles aren’t equipped to handle any bicycles at this time.)
We asked regular MTA rider and bicyclist Gerry Hanlon about his bicycle/bus commute to Downtown Baltimore from Rodgers Forge each day. Like lots of bicyclists, he was enthusiastic about having options for getting around.
“I’m not crazy about the idea of going to a gym,” Hanlon told us recently. “But I love how getting pumped up makes me feel, both body and mind. So I combine my commute to work with a good workout, and by the time I get to where I’m going, eight miles later, I’m ready to take on the world.”
“I was intimidated the first time I considered loading my bike onto the front of an MTA bus,” Hanlon shared with us. “Turns out it’s simple – just pull a couple of levers, lift it onto the front of the bus and hop aboard. And it’s good to know I can rely on the number 11 when it rains or snows or when I get a flat tire.”
“Lots of people ask if they have showers where I work,” Hanlon said. “Good question! And there aren’t showers there. But I’ve found that just coming prepared with a change of clothes eliminates any concerns about ‘working up a sweat’ that I have to live with all day. My biggest problem is ‘helmet hair’ once I’ve arrived at work,” he added with a laugh.
“I’ve taken a bike on Light Rail, too, for longer trips,” he said. Haven’t conquered the Metro Subway yet – but it’s nice to know that I can when the time is right. Thanks, MTA!”
We’re happy to say, “You’re welcome.” How about you? Getting enough exercise lately? Let MTA help you explore some options you hadn’t considered before.
4 comments:
This is all well and good, but when is the MTA going to start taking steps towards making multi-modal travel with bikes possible for outer suburbanites? As a cyclist and longtime MTA Commuter Bus rider into DC from Frederick, I'd love to commute to work with my bike on the bus, but right now this is only possible for riders with folding bikes. There are options already being employed by commuter bus agencies in other states—installing hooks inside coach buses' cargo holds, or installing two-bike racks on the front of buses—so when will MTA follow suit? MARC's counterparts in other states are also making it possible for cyclists to travel by commuter train with their bicycles on board, but MTA still limits travel with bicycles to users of folding bikes. There are cost-effective (and space-effective) measures to make multi-modal travel on MTA commuter buses and MARC trains possible with full-sized bicycles, and these enhancements will only make using these modes of transportation more appealing to a wider population. Please make this happen!
Check out Montague Bikes. They make folding bikes that ride 100% like a standard non-folder. They use full size 700c or 26" wheels and dont put any hinges or cuts in the tubing of their frames. However, they still fold in half and can certainly be taken on the MTA transit that only allows folders. You still get to travel with a REAL bike! check them out at http://www.montaguebikes.com/
We're looking into the idea of bike racks for commuter buses. You should know that most of the commuter buses are owned by private companies that contract with MTA to provide this transit service. At this point, we can't mandate that they install bike racks. In doing so, they would have to purchase and maintain the equipment at their expense. We will keep you updated.
WHAT ABOUT THE TAXES WE PAY.
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