# Presentation: 620862

## Bicycle and Pedestrian Connections to Transit

- Lesson 18

**Publication No. FHWA-HRT-****05-120**

**Notes:**
Lesson #: 18
Lesson Title: Bicycle and Pedestrian Connections to Transit
Learning Objectives: 
Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to:
Describe the problems related to the lack of pedestrian and bicycle connections to transit.
Cite examples of how pedestrians are being accommodated by transit services.
Cite examples of how bicyclists are being accommodated by transit services.
Describe the elements of programs in which pedestrian and bicycle travel has been successfully integrated with transit.

Preinstruction:
Ask the class to present the results of their inquiries into your local transit agency’s accommodation of pedestrians and bicyclists.

Student Participation:
Use either of the exercises presented at the end of the Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Student Workbook (Student Workbook).

Followup:
Assign reading for lesson 19.
Have the students locate information on biking and walking trails in the area. Ask them to consider both functional (i.e., home-based work, home-based shopping, nonhome-based shopping) travel and recreational (both home-based and nonhome-based) travel needs.

Session Time: 30–45 minutes

## Lesson Outline

- The importance of integrating pedestrian and bicycle transportation with transit.
- Pedestrian connections to transit services.
- Bike-on-bus programs.
- Bike-on-rail programs.

**Notes:**
Key Message: Provide the students with an overview of the lesson.
Est. Presentation Time: 1 minute
Suggested Comments:
This slide is optional.

## Significant amounts of the population live near transit stations in urban areas.
Improvements for pedestrian and bicycle access lead to increased transit ridership.
Providing bicycle accommodation on transit vehicles increases the catchment area for transit riders.
Vehicle and station modifications can be made at modest cost.

- Improvements for pedestrian and bicycle access lead to increased transit ridership.
- Providing bicycle accommodation on transit vehicles increases the catchment area for transit riders.
- Vehicle and station modifications can be made at modest cost.

- Why Integrate Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation with Transit?

**Notes:**
Key Message: Integration enhances travel potential for each of the pedestrian, bicycle, and transit modes of travel by offering a number of advantages that each mode alone cannot provide.
Est. Presentation Time: 2 minutes
Suggested Comments:
All transit riders are pedestrians at some point in their trip. Making pedestrian conditions better on the way to the bus stop or train station will make the overall transit experience more pleasant for existing riders and may encourage potential riders to try transit. Bike-on-transit service and pedestrian-accessible transit allow people to travel greater distances and overcome topographical barriers. Bike-on-transit services to recreational destinations during off-peak periods can increase overall transit ridership and increase efficient use of capacity. Bicycle facilities (trails, on-road bike lanes, and bike parking) enlarge transit’s catchment area by making it accessible to travelers who are beyond walking distances from transit stations. 

## Pedestrian Connections to Transit

- Pedestrian waiting for the bus

- Bus stop with sidewalk and bench

**Notes:**
Key Message: Providing good-quality pedestrian facilities so that riders can access bus stops and train stations comfortably is essential to increasing transit ridership and giving transit riders a pleasant experience for their entire journey.
Est. Presentation Time: 1–3 minutes 
Suggested Comments:
While U.S. transit authorities have expended considerable planning and engineering efforts to meet pedestrian needs in the interiors of transit stations, in many cases, little attention has been devoted to either the pedestrian or bicycling environment to and from stations. Poorly developed interjurisdictional and interagency cooperation often impedes consideration of the door-to-door experience of using public transportation. It is not unusual for several different agencies to maintain independent control over the various facilities that are used by someone walking or bicycling to and from a single transit stop.
OPTIONAL: Have students discuss some of their own experiences trying to walk to transit.

## How Bicycles Should Be Integrated with Transit

- Bike racks on buses.
- Transporting bikes on light and heavy rail, commuter rail, and intercity rail vehicles.
- Bike parking.
- Station design improvements.
- Links to transit stops.
- Bicycle-ferry programs.

**Notes:**
Key Message: There are many different ways that bicycles can be integrated into a transit system.
Est. Presentation Time: 1 minute
Suggested Comments:
The first two ways of integrating bicycles into a transit system are discussed in the following slides.

## Bicycle-on-Bus Programs

- Front-mounted racks.
- Inside bus.
- Successful programs.

**Notes:**
Key Message: Bicycle-on-bus programs have grown in popularity since the early 1990s.
Est. Presentation Time: 3 minutes
Suggested Comments:
There are two means of accommodating bicycles on buses—front-mounted racks, and allowing bikes inside the bus. See section 18.4 of the Student Workbook for examples of successful bike-on-bus programs.

## Transit Agency Concerns

- Schedule adherence.
- Safety and protection of transit property.
- Equipment procurement.

**Notes:**
Key Message: When considering bike-on-bus programs, agencies typically cite these concerns.
Est. Presentation Time: 1 minute 
Suggested Comments:
A 1994 study completed through the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) shows that most transit agencies are not experiencing problems with schedule delays; new bike-on-bus rack design has minimized dwell times for loading and removal. The study has also shown that the impact of bicycle-transit integration has been minimal on the personal safety of bicyclists, operators, or the public, and on transit agency property.

## Bicycle-on-Rail Programs

- Bring bike inside rail car.
- Time restrictions.
- Rail car design constraints.
- New rail car design to accommodate bikes: “California Car.”

**Notes:**
Key Message: Most light and heavy rail systems now provide some level of access to bicyclists and their bicycles. 
Est. Presentation Time: 2 minutes
Suggested Comments:
Bicyclists may need to stand with their bicycles in designated locations in rail cars, and may not be able to bring their bicycles on during peak hours for transit ridership. These limitations are being addressed by new rail car designs. Examples of successful bike-on-rail programs are listed in section 18.5 of the Student Workbook.

## Demonstration project.
Advisory committees.
Marketing and promotion.

- Advisory committees.
- Marketing and promotion.

- Elements of SuccessfulBike-Transit Programs

**Notes:**
Key Message: Successful bike-transit programs have used a demonstration phase before expanding to system-wide operation, involved advisory committees of nonagency organizations and individuals, and employed good marketing and promotion.
Est. Presentation Time: 1 minute
Suggested Comments:
More detail is found in section 18.9 in the Student Workbook.

## Lesson Summary

- Providing good links to transit for pedestrians and bicyclists is essential.
- Providing good facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists at transit stations is essential.
- Linking pedestrians and bicyclists with transit can increase transit ridership.

**Notes:**
Key Message: Summarize the lesson and discuss any questions or issues with students.
Est. Presentation Time: 3–5 minutes
Suggested Comments:
Summarize the lesson and discuss any questions or issues with students.