I don't think I'll be taking my bike on BART anymore
I've done it twice, and the afternoon commute home has been a nightmare. I can't maneuver, the many other bikes on the car are in the way, and I always end up bumping into people with the bike.
By the way, these are all "bike ok" routes.
Fortunately, I can bike my bark at Fruitvale Bike Station for free, I just can't ride to work on the other end.
Any Bike-Barters have some advice? Maybe I can salvage something from all this.
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I envision a car design that
I envision a car design that omits some more seats to make room for bicycles and luggage. I would also love to see them relax the commute-hour rules in such a way that bikes would be allowed in the last 2 cars for example. I'd love to be able to take my bike on the train, but like you, I'm not about to do it if it inconveniences other commuters or gets in the way.
Try sitting in the seat where
Try sitting in the seat where you can tilt your bike a bit, have it stable, and still leave room for another person. That way you take up one seat only, and as long as no one in a wheelchair comes on the train, you're golden -- out of the way and seated to rest your tired legs.
What other problems are you having?
Thanks for the comments.
Thanks for the comments.
2ndshiftcommuter:
The problem with the seats that meet those criteria is that they are (at least to my recollection) all seats that must be vacated for seniors and persons with disabilities. On my commute home on the Fremont-bound line from about the MacArthur station onwards, these seats are occupied entirely by people that fit the "senior or persons with disabilities" label and a disappointingly high number of anti-social miscreants who refuse to read. I'll look and see if there are some seats that will accommodate the bike without being in a restricted seat.
johnson78483:
I'm always in the last car. the MacArthur and Downtown Oakland stations pack the cars so tight, there's no room on any of the cars. The last car is usually littered with bikes from about Berkeley on down the line.
all good ideas, and thanks again.
Which car are you riding in?
Which car are you riding in? I am a non-bike rider, but I'd think (and gave this advice to someone who needed to take her bike with her during rush hour) that the last two cars would be a lot less crowded to have your bike on very comfortably.
I really appreciate your courtesy. Although people are inconsiderate in general, I really hate it the cyclists who insist on taking their bikes on BART during rush hour into the middle cars.
I've been using bart with a
I've been using bart with a bike for about 3 years. It works pretty well for me. I only ride between Dublin and the Coliseum. I also shift my days so that I ride bart after the morning and afternoon crush. There are only two ideal spots for a bike and that is where there are no seats to accommodate wheelchairs. Another place is in front of the doors. If I'm in that area, I jump off the train at each station and allow other passengers to exit, then jump back on. (Off topic rant, why do people lean against the wall near the doors, but refuse to get out of the way when people are exiting/boarding? They reduce the doorway from a two person door to one or less. Jerks.)
Should my situation change and I have to venture into the more congested stations/lines, I'll probably acquire a decent folding bike. There are some models that are very compact, yet still efficient. This also has the benefit of no commute hour restrictions.
Dahon
Bike Friday
Did I poke you with my
Did I poke you with my handlebars in your ass? ha ha ha ha..I feel sorry for the bike commuters. There's never enough room. They tend to take up the spot where the wheelchairs have to go and then when a wheeler gets on board, they have to move. Then the handle bars get jammed into some persons ass. It's always "excuse me, pardon me, I'm sorry, oops! Did I poke you in the ass again?"
-Chrystal Flanders
http://www.damnyouchrystal.com
I only apologize if she's
I only apologize if she's cute. jk
I know by heart which side
I know by heart which side the station platforms will be. If there's room I flip-flop from side to side, if not then my ride becomes real icky. I then step outside so others can get off.
I used to ride from Fremont to 19th St in the mornings. Those were fun times.