INTERMODAL ACCESS

But what if your workplace is farther away than you want or are able to ride? Perhaps you can combine bicycling with transit to complete your trip.

My former wife used to work in San Mateo, about 20 miles away from our home in San Francisco. She would travel to work using a combination of bicycling and transit. She would ride about 2.5 miles to the Caltrain station at 4th and Townsend Streets in San Francisco, board the train, and get off at Burlingame. Another two-mile ride completed her journey to work. Most days it would take her about an hour, which is about the time it would have taken if she had driven.

Many transit systems are developing better intermodal access for cyclists. Caltrain, which runs from San Francisco to San Jose, is a national leader in bike access. This has proven enormously popular among the technical types who reside in the city and work in Silicon Valley. MUNI, San Francisco's bus and trolley service, has now installed bike racks on most routes. Most ferry services in the Bay Area provide bike access. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), allows bikes on all cars, except during certain peak commute hours (just when you need it).

While many transit agencies are slowly getting enlightened, we're not there yet. Even the Bay Area, a pioneering leader in intermodal access, blocks much bike access. For instance, cyclists who work across the Bay continue to be discouraged by BART's rush-hour freeze. Yet many cyclists who are frustrated with their local transit agency's resistance to bikes still find ways to combine cycling and transit.

Most transit agencies allow people with folding bikes aboard their vehicles. Popular models include folders made by Breezer, Bike Friday, and Brompton. Some people even use two bikes--one to get to the nearest transit stop, and one at their destination stop. And there is an encouraging trend toward the creation of dedicated Bike Stations at transit hubs, creating facilities that support intermodal travel by providing secure bike parking and other services.

So even if your office or workplace seems far away, with a little consideration, you can find a way to combine bicycling and transit to reach your destination.

Resources:
BikesOnTransit.org Database
Bicycling on transit in Sacramento - Bike Commute Tips Blog
Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips
How to Live Well Without Owning a Car
Divorce Your Car! Ending the Love Affair with the Automobile

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