[sustran] Re: BBRT - Bikes on BRT

[Carlos F. Pardo]

Todd,

Your idea sounds pretty good. Regarding folding bikes, I wouldn't really 
think this is feasible. The cheapest folding bicycle I've seen is 60 
euro (in Beijing, almost straight from the dealer), and it didn't seem 
to be really good quality. Mine was 200 euro and was the cheapest good 
one. So I think this would be out.

However, I would actually encourage the system to buy bikes for the city 
as a whole, which shoul be given to citizens on a suscription basis 
(many cities have done this, and Paris has just started a huge project). 
These bikes can be made locally (you can do a cheap one in Bogotá for 
around 25 euro, single gear), and will not have the problem of taking up 
space from inside the bus. If you convince the PT system that this will 
really increase their catchment area (e.g. the distance from which 
people will arrive at the station), they may actually pay for the bikes 
and possibly take care of the operation of the bike-lending... and build 
safe bicycle parking areas. Other small companies could also take the 
job of operating the bike-lending.

Best regards,

Carlos F. Pardo
Coordinador de Proyecto- Project Coordinator
GTZ - Proyecto de Transporte Sostenible (SUTP, SUTP-LAC)
Cl 93A # 14-17 of 708
Bogotá D.C., Colombia
Tel/fax:  +57 (1) 236 2309  Mobile: +57 (3) 15 296 0662
carlos.pardo at sutp.org   www.sutp.org 



Todd Edelman, Green Idea Factory wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I think it is clear to most of us that combining BRT with bicycles 
> creates a better replacement for cars than either by itself, and there 
> are of course other advantages besides replacement mobility. While the 
> biggest piece of pubic transport and bicycle intermodality is bicycle 
> parking, and it is good if shared bicycles are also considered, the 
> ability to take one's own bike on PT is also useful.
>
> The bicycle on bus front rack is used in hundreds of systems in the USA 
> and Canada....
>
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Translink-B8017.jpg>
> <http://www.thunderheadalliance.org/site/images/uploads/Bikes_on_Buses_Facts_Sheet.doc>
> *From Hampton Roads Transit, Virginia (Flash): 
> *<http://www.hrtransit.com/BikesOnRacks/BikeRackMain.htm>*
>  From the Port Authority of Allegheny County *(*Windows Media Player;* 
> Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and surroundings): 
> <http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/Portals/0/Rack_30_7.avi> *
>  From Charlotte, North Carolina (Real Player, click on “view demo”): 
> *<http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Riding+CATS/Bike+Racks.htm>
>
> ... and each rack costs less than one bus tyre, but this would not work 
> on Transmillenio-type BRT as the front of the bus is not accessible.
>
> SO, it seems like it would be good to be able to take bikes inside the 
> buses (or light rail, metro, etc.) but there could be a problem with space.
>
> How about if when a city implements a BRT system (meaning dozens or more 
> new buses, infrastructure, expanded depot, etc) it also buys thousands 
> of FOLDING bikes all at the same time - taking advantage of economies of 
> scale - and then sells to these bikes to its riders at or near cost? (Or 
> less than cost with subsidies). There could also be payment plans, where 
> technologically possible.
>
> What do people think? Could you all let me know what prices would be 
> acceptable to purchase bikes in various cities?
>
> Thanks,
> T
>
> --------------------------------------------
>
> Todd Edelman
> Director
> Green Idea Factory
>
> Korunní 72
> CZ-10100 Praha 10
> Czech Republic
>
> ++420 605 915 970
> ++420 222 517 832
> Skype: toddedelman
>
> edelman at greenidea.info
>
> Green Idea Factory,
> a member of World Carfree Network
> www.worldcarfree.net
>
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