Bike Racks on Buses a Huge Success. Would it work in Ireland?

Run_to_da_hills

I have seen these in Seattle over 15 years ago and it is only now that other cities across the US and Canada are taking up the idea. Bike racks can hold up to two bikes. The racks, designed for easy loading and unloading, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You pay your regular fare, but your bike rides for free.

http://images.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://www.raisethehammer.org/images/bus_with_bicycle.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.raisethehammer.org/blog/1121/&usg=__x6lCvWuGpmybi8xLfRKe2neY1CE=&h=300&w=400&sz=61&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=z8qp0s7ZN3aetM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbicycle%2Bracks%2Bbus%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG





http://images.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/images/bike_rack_on_bus.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/bike_racks.htm&usg=__ZVebQ1I3wja8lsw1DHZiWQbzJyw=&h=279&w=350&sz=23&hl=en&start=6&um=1&tbnid=P0qrsTHOnME49M:&tbnh=96&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbicycle%2Bracks%2Bbus%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

lord lucan

seen these on the lynx buses in orlando a few years ago. they were very handy,didn't hold up the bus unduly but tbh they'd never work here,they'd be wrecked in no time.:rolleyes:

Euro_Kraut

lord lucan wrote: »

seen these on the lynx buses in orlando a few years ago. they were very handy,didn't hold up the bus unduly but tbh they'd never work here,they'd be wrecked in no time.:rolleyes:

How do you know what? I hate this Irish sense of defeatism. Perhaps its lack of national self confidence arising from post-colonialism.

I cannot stand this 'it would never work here' sh:te, this 'sure were only a shower of muck savages' attitude.

This country has adapted very well to progressive change in the past e.g. Smoking ban, introduction of the euro, plastic bag tax, electing a female president etc.

So, rant aside, yes of course Ireland can handle bikes on buses. We are not that thick.

My first thought on this is that the first thing that'd be bent during a head-on collision would be be the bikes, so I'm sure this is enough of a reason for this not to happen.

Would like it to though.

Lennoxschips

The solution is to have two bikes, one at each end of the bus journey. Less CO2 emissions as well, as the bus doesn't need to carry the extra weight.

Run_to_da_hills

Myth wrote: »

My first thought on this is that the first thing that'd be bent during a head-on collision would be be the bikes, so I'm sure this is enough of a reason for this not to happen. Would like it to though.

I would be more concerned about the bus hitting a pothole and the two bikes going for a hop out of the rack. :eek:

lostexpectation

wouldn't like to that bike after a fender bender with the bus

mikemac

lord lucan wrote: »

t tbh they'd never work here,they'd be wrecked in no time.:rolleyes:

Why state that?
Sure when they were building the Luas they were claiming it'd never work and it'd be stoned every evening out in Fatima Mansions (or is that Herbeton ). Hasn't happened afaik, give it a chance

IIMII

Euro_Kraut wrote: »

This country has adapted very well to progressive change in the past e.g. Smoking ban, introduction of the euro, plastic bag tax, electing a female president etc

And the station in Broombridge, the Orange march in O'Connell Street and the new liffey board walk

Lennoxschips

The plastic bag tax, a cornerstone in Irish history.

corktina

its a good idea surely, but the bike would surely be a hazzrd to pedestrians in an accident if front mounted

Run_to_da_hills

corktina wrote: »

its a good idea surely, but the bike would surely be a hazzrd to pedestrians in an accident if front mounted

Yhey could get around this by having a some kind of a buffer up front.

corktina

a cow-catcher perahps?

snubbleste

I used this service in Boston and it's a fantastic innovation. The first time i did it i had to practice on an out-of-service bus at the depot putting the bike onto the rack properly and securing it. I was afraid I'd hold up the bus or if the bus braked suddenly my bike would go flying from the rack!

I don't think it would work here though for a number of reasons.

Run_to_da_hills

snubbleste wrote: »

I used this service in Boston and it's a fantastic innovation. The first time i did it i had to practice on an out-of-service bus at the depot putting the bike onto the rack properly and securing it. I was afraid I'd hold up the bus or if the bus braked suddenly my bike would go flying from the rack!

I don't think it would work here though for a number of reasons.

Maybe if some of the independent competitors introduced it, that would soon get DB started.:)

markpb

snubbleste wrote: »

I don't think it would work here though for a number of reasons.

This is a discussion forum, not a psycics forum. Could you tell us what those reasons are instead of dismissing it out of hand?

Me, I'd love to see it happen but I think DB have enough dwell delays and problems with traffic caused realibility. Those would have to be sorted out before it woud be feasible.

GreeBo

Argument for - If we already have these delays then someone adding/removing a bike wont add to them as it can be done during the regular delays
Argument against - Bikes would be stolen when bus stops and/or damaged during accidents. Liability issues abound.

Should they also be allowed on the luas? I know the dart takes them outside of rush hour.

snubbleste

markpb wrote: »

This is a discussion forum, not a psycics forum. Could you tell us what those reasons are instead of dismissing it out of hand?
Me, I'd love to see it happen but I think DB have enough dwell delays and problems with traffic caused realibility. Those would have to be sorted out before it woud be feasible.

Well, roads in the US are wider than here so less chance of pedestrians walking near a bus and more space on the road for cyclists..
and motorists comply with the law unlike here, where a car will swing in front of a bus - note the amount of motor incidents with the Luas so far.

There is a serious claims culture here
There are bus unions who'll want extra money for driving a 'non-standard' bus
and finally it would never work here because it is a sensible notion.

Buffman

I'd imagine the extensive health and safety laws in this country could make this a non-runner.
Having passengers moving around in front of busses on busy roads, and having passengers operating equipment on the bus (a bike rack), would not be considered safe.

Also, insurance would be a major issue. Who is liable if the passenger doesn't secure the bike, it falls off , gets run over by bus, punctures the fuel tank and all the rest, or does damage to any third party.

Can the driver get out and put the bike on? No, because he/she can't leave the bus.

I think the only way for this to work here, is for passengers to recieve training, then get an ID card saying they are trained to use the bike rack, as well as sign a disclamer accepting responsibilty for the bike and any damage it causes. Or they may even have to have some sort of bike insurance.

I think that this is H & S and legal minefield which would be hard to overcome, but not impossible, if the will and €'s were there.

GreeBo

GreeBo wrote: »

Should they also be allowed on the luas? I know the dart takes them outside of rush hour.

Unless I've missed something...

Q. Can I bring my bicycle onto the train?

A. Bicycles can not be conveyed on DART or Commuter trains unless folded and suitably covered. On Intercity trains bicycles not folded and covered can be conveyed in the guards' compartment or the special cycle racks where provided. For a list of Intercity services that can accomodate bicycles click here. A valid ticket for the bicycle must be obtained before travelling. Please check at your local station before travelling.

http://www.irishrail.ie/home/faq.asp?faq_id=31#31

Run_to_da_hills

The max number of bicycles on the 22'000 is just 6 and probably less on suberban DMU's. In Holland I have seen a complete double decker carriage designated for push bikes on the Amsterdam route. The Government may have to do a bit more if they intend to reach their deadline of 150.000.

Current CIE Tarrifs for Bicycles carried on Intercity. I think any charge is scandalous considering one can carry a cycle anywhere in the UK for free. The Government should force CIE should drop these charges to encourage passengers particularly students to use bicycles at their destinations.

up to 56km A-E €2.50 €5.00
up to 108km F-H €4.00 €8.00
up to 137km J-K €5.50 €10.50
137km + L-U €8.00 €16.00

lord lucan

Euro_Kraut wrote: »

How do you know what? I hate this Irish sense of defeatism. Perhaps its lack of national self confidence arising from post-colonialism.

I cannot stand this 'it would never work here' sh:te, this 'sure were only a shower of muck savages' attitude.

This country has adapted very well to progressive change in the past e.g. Smoking ban, introduction of the euro, plastic bag tax, electing a female president etc.

So, rant aside, yes of course Ireland can handle bikes on buses. We are not that thick.

given the lack of ability of a lot of the travelling public to form an orderly que at the bus stop and have exact fare ready i can only imagine the carry on if they had to mount a bike on the front of a bus!!

it's not defeatist,it's just being realistic.

HonalD

Can I ask - why would we need buses to carry bikes....is this only for lazy cyclists? David Cameron etc......................:)