One of the truly civilizing things about living in the Albany, NY area is the ability to ride the bike and the bus for certain trips. Someone noted that taking the bike on the bus to the bike repair place – broken spoke –
was the first time he had considered the value of having a couple bike racks on the bus. But in fact, I use the combo all the time.
Every 28 days, I have to go back to Corporate (frickin’) Woods, where I worked for too long, to get an allergy shot. I ride my bike through town to a rode called Northern Boulevard, then hitch the bike on the bus as it treks up that nasty Albany-Shaker Road hill.
Now, I could ride to the allergist, but time is the enemy here, for I need to catch a bus OUT of Corporate Woods, and since I have to wait 30 minutes AFTER the shot, I stay on the bus. On the subsequent trip then to work, I can ride at least partway to work, and faster than by bus alone.
There are several reasons to take the bike on the bus:
*law – it’s illegal to ride the bike on the highway. As the crow flies, the shortest route from my house to Corporate Woods is I-90, but it would be not only unlawful but dangerous to ride the bike on the interstate
*time – I COULD ride to Schenectady, the next city to the west, but that would take a while
*energy – that is to say, mine, especially when it comes to hills
*the weather – never was that more true than on May 18. I was planning on riding the two miles home, but a severe thunderstorm began. Walking to the bus stop, I got soaked. Putting my bike on the bus, I was paranoid about being electrocuted.
I think the first time I saw bikes on mass transit was back in the late 1980s, when one could put a two-wheeler on the Bay Area Rapid Transit, in San Francisco-Oakland, California. It made sense to me and I’m happy for the option.
Incidentally, Jen Reviews has put out a “detailed, up-to-date 7,000 word guide on how to choose a bike according to science” that describes “10 factors to consider.”
What a wonderful idea to take the bikes along that way…
One says The Netherlands is a bike-country and that is true I guess, everyone here has at least one and you can go nowhere without seeing them plural š
But to transport a bike on a bus is not seen here, not jet… maybe Dutch busscompanies will take over that idea?
I can certainly see your point about not riding UPhill or in a thunderstorm. “You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!” (Rudyard Kipling) I would love to ride in The Netherlands because it’s all flat! LOL
Leslie
abcw team
Oh wonderful post Roger and love public transportation being available and bikes are conserving and fun ~ ^_^
This is a great combination – bus and bike.
My ABC WEDNESDAY
Complex travel, but a bike is always handy to have. I think wistfully of the days I used to ride a bike!!
The bus system here has finally figured out that once in a while a cyclist may need a lift. Still not a common sight, but it’s gratifying to see it at all.
when i lived in Boston I’d bike and bus all the time. best way to get around a city.
Now that bike riding will make you one healthy guy!!! We have bike lanes here in Kan/Mo but it has not takin off like the East. We have a Corporate Woods here too. Very cool to load your bike on the bus.
Ann
Your post gives me an idea to do a post of bike riding in Holland – they have many more privileges than here:) Thanks for your visit Roger!
Great way to add flexibility to a bike ride, neat integrated transport.
Always fun watching the driver waiting patiently while a bike rider loads or unloads his/her bike. Great invention. Great post Roger.
Lovely take on B
Click Here to see what Mrs. Dash Says
Lots of people have foldable bikes they take on bus or train here. Each year more and more !
It would be too long on a bike and buses are the safest.
Happy ABCW!
Years ago when I lived in San Francisco and worked across the Bay, I took my bike on Bart a couple times. I felt so smart and with it. And, free!
In Christchurch, the bus driver hung baby pushchairs at the front of the bus.
It’s so flat here and when I used to do 10K walks any hilly terrain was a killer for me. I can certainly understand why you would put the bike on the bus.
I prefer bikes! Good choice for B.