BART Commute Period Bike Pilot First Day

August 3rd was the first of 4 Fridays where commuters could bring their bike aboard BART trains during peak commute hours. BART staff was on hand to pass out surveys to find out from customers how they feel about the program. To submit your own survey go to www.bart.gov/bikes.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Lyle Hiroshi Saxon]

The system in Tokyo is that you can only carry on collapsible bikes, and they have to be within a proper cover. Then it's basically the same as someone with a suitcase, and the bikes being in bags protect people's clothing if they end up rubbing against one. Even so though, on the smash-'em-in high-pressure morning trains, carrying any large object onto the train is not a good idea. Just having a backpack can generate evil eye beams. (Resident of Tokyo - former resident of San Francisco.)

[MrStevenjv]

On nearly every morning rush hour trip into the City from El Cerrito I see at least one biker on my car. Even though the schedule says "no bikes" on this train they come on anyway. Sometimes 2 or 3 will be on a packed train. BART doesn't seem to be able to control this.

[mikedude2000]

Fridays are always really light on BART. Try this on a Monday or Tuesday when trains during rush hour are (incredibly cramped) standing room only and see how people feel about bike riders on the trains...

[Chef Alida]

The trains were basically empty this morning - of course it worked out. A BART article tries to compare their program with NYC's subway program but they forget they chose Bechtel's ridiculous "custom" train whose width is 6" less than a standard train; there is no extra room. During prime hours, it's people in aisles back-to-back + shifting for entering/exiting + the constant wanderers that go from train to train "just because"-no room for bike&rider. Already tough on strollers/handicap/elderly.