Your city buses with bike racks?

[VeganBikeChick]

Yes, Seattle's buses have them but don't expect the drivers to help you out if you've never used one. I tried to put my road bike on one last week, not having used one before and was really struggling. It took me a good 2 minutes of trying without success, and the driver finally honked at me and yelled that she had to go, which left me with very nasty thoughts in my head and no bike on the bus.

Fortunately, the metro website has a video showing how to load your bike onto the rack, and I watched it while waiting for another bus to show up, having success the second time.

[redrhodie]

Yes, Seattle's buses have them but don't expect the drivers to help you out if you've never used one. I tried to put my road bike on one last week, not having used one before and was really struggling. It took me a good 2 minutes of trying without success, and the driver finally honked at me and yelled that she had to go, which left me with very nasty thoughts in my head and no bike on the bus.

Fortunately, the metro website has a video showing how to load your bike onto the rack, and I watched it while waiting for another bus to show up, having success the second time.

Same here! I was lucky that another bus commuter was willing to show me how to do it, but the bus driver was not helpful. It is easy once you know how, but the first time, egads, stressful.

[Biciclista]

Yes, Seattle's buses have them but don't expect the drivers to help you out if you've never used one. I tried to put my road bike on one last week, not having used one before and was really struggling. It took me a good 2 minutes of trying without success, and the driver finally honked at me and yelled that she had to go, which left me with very nasty thoughts in my head and no bike on the bus.

Fortunately, the metro website has a video showing how to load your bike onto the rack, and I watched it while waiting for another bus to show up, having success the second time.

I guess I was luckier than you. The first time I tried to load a bike I couldn't do it. I was practically in tears with frustration. A young college student (Female) appeared and showed me how to do it, lucky for me a LOT of people were boarding the bus so i didn't hold anyone up.

[commuterJNE]

I live in Long Beach, CA, where buses have racks for THREE bikes on the front, and we have a strong & growing cycling community, so sometimes those racks are full, especially on the less bike-friendly streets.

I too had to learn how to use them on my own. I believe bus drivers are not allowed to PHYSICALLY help you due to workers' compensation rules in case they hurt their back or something; however, I see no reason why they can't give you verbal directions.

Anyhow, now that I'm riding with an aluminum frame instead of a steel one, getting my bike on and off the bus is a breeze.

[kcmpls]

We have a very active bus company here in Minneapolis, so they bring the bike racks to events all the time, along with a bike, so people can try them out and have help. They are always at the State Fair, the Green Expo, the Bike Expo, all kinds of place. And, they even will bring it to your workplace to have set up for people to try for one day. It is pretty sweet.

[alice]

I've used bike racks on busses all up and down the west coast (U.S.). The very first time I struggled with it; even though the rules clearly say that the driver is not allowed to help you, he got fed up, got out of the bus, and showed me how.

I took a friend on the bus recently; I carried my folding bike onboard, but she was struggling with the rack. The driver was trying to give her verbal directions, but she couldn't hear him. Finally someone waiting at the same stop for the another bus got up and helped her.

I think it's always a little hard the first time, no matter how many times you've watched the video or looked at the diagram; it's just a little different in person.

[VeganBikeChick]

My thought was along the same line as yours; but why couldn't she have at least directed me what to do? All the same, at least I was able to figure it out on my own...

[shootingstar]

Well, guess what a Canadian Arctic city provides buses with bike racks also! : Whitehorse, Yukon.

http://www.city.whitehorse.yk.ca/ind...97D5EE177BA%7D Most definitely North American cycling infrastructure CAN be different from some European cities...because we must adapt to extreme weather conditions.

[MomOnBike]

My city has recently added bike racks to buses. I haven't had the opportunity to try them yet, as my recumbent would have no hope of fitting. Some time I'll get the Raleigh out and give it a go, just because.