Bikes, Buses, Trolleys and Trains: A quick guide to Multi-Modal Commuting!

Bikes, Buses, Trolleys and Trains: A quick guide to multimodal commuting.

Multimodal commuting is an excellent way to gain many of the benefits of bicycle commuting without committing to biking long distances. In multimodal commuting, commuters split their time between biking and riding on a bus, train or trolley to get to and from work. This daily physical activity can help boost concentration and productivity in the workplace while improving both psychological and physical health.

In many cities, commuters can bring their bikes with them on public transportation, allowing them to use their bicycles at both ends of their trips. Newer systems even feature dedicated bike racks on all public transit vehicles. While SEPTA encourages its riders to bring their bikes with them during many hours of the day, it strongly limits bicycles on trains during the times most vital to commuters: 6am to 9am, and 3pm to 6pm Monday through Friday.

This limitation is largely due to the fact that SEPTA’s older trains and subway cars require bicyclists to place bikes in wheelchair accessible spaces, as they do not have dedicated racks that move bikes out of the way of other commuters. As SEPTA upgrades and replaces its existing rolling stock, new trolleys and trains can be made more accommodating to bicyclists, but for now, multimodal commuters must use buses or be content with leaving their bicycle at the transit station or stop. A few basic tips can make your commute easier and ensure that your bike remains safe.

Buses

All SEPTA buses have bicycle racks mounted to the front that can accommodate two bikes at a time. These racks are designed to be quick and easy to use and can be operated by people of many age groups and levels of physical fitness. However, it is good to follow a few precautions and recommendations when using the rack:
• Take off any loose items. – Bags, panniers and unsecured locks and lights can fall off when the bus hits potholes. For everyone’s safety, it is best to remove these items before using the bus rack.
• Communicate with the driver! – Operating the bike rack requires standing in front of the bus. Make sure to communicate visually and audibly with the diver to ensure he or she knows what you are doing.
• Stand with the bike between you and the bus – you are going to have to lift the bike into the rack and don’t want to have to turn around when carrying the weight.
• Use the rack closest to the front of the bus. – The bike rack will be more stable and your bike more secure if you use the inside slot. Also, this makes it easier for other bicyclists to load their bikes.
• If another bike is in your way, remove your bike from the side. – The bike racks are set up so you can easily remove the stabilizing arm and pull your bike out while standing on the curb. The curb is the safest place to stand and prevents you from disturbing someone else’s bike.
• Non-folding bikes are not allowed on the bus. – You will have to wait for the next bus if both bike slots are currently filled, as you cannot bring a bicycle on a SEPTA bus.

Trolleys

SEPTA’s current generation of trolleys is incapable of carrying bicycles due to steep stairs and narrow interior spaces. Trolleys do not feature exterior bike racks either, as these would present problems for both trolleys and cyclists when the trolleys are underground. Until SEPTA purchases new trolleys that feature flat floors and are ADA compliant, bicyclists will have to be content with locking their bikes in a secure location near the transit station. Folding bicycles are allowed on trolleys as luggage, but must be fully collapsed prior to getting on the trolley.

Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines

Both of SEPTA’s subway lines, the MFL and BSL, allow riders to bring bicycles on the trains, except during peak hours, from 6-9 am and 3 to 6 pm Monday through Friday. SEPTA limits bicycles during these peak hours because of the large amount of space they take up and a lack of appropriate storage racks. Folding bicycles are allowed during all times of the day, as long as they are fully collapsed. If your commute happens outside these hours, a few tips can make your experience smoother.
• Make sure you can easily carry your bike. – Many MFL and BSL stations are not ADA accessible, meaning there are no elevators or ramps for bicyclists, and stations do not have bicycle ramps on staircases. Bicyclists should be prepared to carry their bikes up and down the stairs.
• Use the emergency or swing-door gates rather than the turnstiles. – Talk to the SEPTA attendants and have them buzz you through a gate. Don’t try to lift your bike over the turn-style.
• Stay near the doors on the subway. – Getting on and off the subway with a bike can be a hassle if people hem you in. Stay near the doors to make an easy exit, but make sure not to block other passengers!

Norristown High-Speed Line

The NHSL offers a great way to get to and from Norristown quickly, and it has a large amount of space in the rear of the car where bicyclists can store their bikes. However, as with its subway lines, SEPTA limits bicycles during commuting hours, from 6 to 9 am and from 3 to 6 pm Monday through Friday. The rapid acceleration and deceleration of the train can also present problems for cyclists trying to exit through the front of the rail car. A few tips can make this a quick and valuable resource for multi-modal transport.
• Talk to the driver! – Ask the driver to wait to start moving till you get to the back of the vehicle. This precaution will prevent you and your bike from falling over onto your fellow passengers.
• Ask to open the rear door. – Entering and exiting via the rear door is much easier for cyclists! Pay your fare up front, but ask the driver if he or she could open the back door to facilitate entry and exit.
• Sit with the regular passengers. – Standing with your bike can be difficult due to the motion of the train. Instead, sit with the other passengers. The back door does not open frequently at stations, ensuring that anyone trying to make off with your bike has to walk past you first!
• Tell the driver when you need to get off. – Notifying the driver that you need to retrieve your bike will give you more time to move your bike up the aisle at the station. Alternatively, you can ask the driver to open the back door, making your exit quick and easy.

Regional Rail

SEPTA’s Regional Rail system offers an excellent opportunity for multi-modal transportation across the metro region, as it frequently intersects local and regional bicycle routes. However, SEPTA limits the Regional Rail system’s usability for multi-modal commuting by restricting bicycles from 6:30 to 9:30 am and 3:30 to 6:30 pm. Neither existing cars nor the new Silverliner V cars that SEPTA is introducing onto Regional Rail routes have bicycle racks, but many regional rail stations do offer secure places to lock bicycles. Off-peak and recreational users should follow a few tips, rules and suggestions before boarding the regional rail.
• Be able to lift your bike! – Many regional rail stations are not level with the train entrances, requiring bicyclists to lift their bikes up into and down out of the train cars unassisted.
• Wait until other passengers have boarded the train. – Bicycles can take time to load and maneuver through train corridors. Wait until other passengers are on the train before entering.
• Store your bike in the handicapped-accessible seats. – The wider space between handicapped-accessible seating is the designated storage spot for bicycles. Up to two bicycles can be accommodated in these areas; however, be aware that bicyclists will have to vacate the train if handicapped passengers are in need of the seats!
• Wait until all the other passengers have exited the train. – As with boarding, bicyclists should wait until other passengers have exited before carrying their bicycles off the train. Make sure both the conductor and the passengers entering the train know that you are bringing your bicycle off so they can give you adequate room to exit!

For official policies, information and updates, go to:
http://www.septa.org/policy/bike.html