Bicycle and Public Transport

Linking bicycle and public transport journeys can be an effective way to cover distances or elevations too great to be completed by bicycle alone. Combining bicycles with public transport has been popular for decades in a number of countries. For instance, in the Netherlands, some 30% of train trips start or finish with the bicycle journey. Many Australians are starting to appreciate the benefits of combining cycling with public transport and the following offers an outline of the various combinations possible:

Bicycle and train travel: Bicycles can either be parked at the station or taken on board some trains.
Bicycle racks on buses: In Canberra and Brisbane, some bus routes allow bicycles to be carried on specially fitted racks, located on the front of the bus. This particular combination is offered in over 30 cities across the United States of America.

The following resources offer a description of current Australian programs to encourage the combination of bicycles and public transport, as well as international examples of successful programs:

Bicycling Access and Egress to Transit: Informing the Possibilities (USA)

28th Apr 2011

This research report by Mineta Transportation Institute was published in April 2011. The report looks at cost effective ways of encouraging cyclists onto public transport. Intergrating bicycles with public transport increases the efficiency of both transport modes and brings a range of benefits to communites.

Forecasting the benefits from providing an interface between cycling and public transport (NZ)

27th Apr 2011

This research report was published in September 2010 by the New Zealand Transport Agency. The research examines the introduction of secure storage at public transport stations/stops (bike and ride) and racks on board buses, carriages or ferries (bike on board). Cycle-PT enhances and expands public transport patronage by catering to a wider array of users, both those for whom it is too far to walk to public transport as well as those who prefer to use a bicycle as part of their trip.

Houston METRO: Making Room for Bikes (USA)

25th Mar 2011

This case study from the US Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) website examines how BikeHouston worked with METRO officials and other city staff to develop improved accessibility measures for bicycles on light rail.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center - case studies

21st Sep 2010

In communities across the world, there is a growing need and responsibility to provide options that give people the opportunity to bike—to bike more often, to bike to more places, and to feel safe while doing so. The benefits of riding a bicycle-whether for utilitarian or recreational purposes—can be expressed in terms of improved environmental and personal health, reduced traffic congestion, enhanced quality of life, economic rewards, as well as others. This section provides an overview on why it is important to bike and what we can do to make it easier to bike more often.

Bus-Bike Interaction with the Road Network