Hastings, New Zealand- 2 Walk and Cycle conference. Presentation on implementation factors for the Bike on Bus system in New Zealand.

1. Cycling and Public
Transport Integration
Implementing Bikes on Buses
beyond the business case
Jonathan Slason
jonathan.slason@beca.com
23 February 2012

2. Bus and Bike
Research Basics - History
Cycle-PT Research:
NZ Research Report 418 published data on
Bike and Ride (BaR):
estimated demand and costs of system wide ‘bike This is where a cyclist uses a bike to reach
on bus’ roll out. the public transport facilities and
Research included Bike and Ride, locker demand,
then parks the bike there
and an extensive literature review. (parking on either end of trip)
The research provided a comprehensive review of
Bike on Board and Bike and Ride programmes
worldwide.
Bike on Board (BoB):
This is where a cyclist uses a bike to reach
the public transport facilities and then carries
the bike onto the public transport service.
The bike can then be used at the latter end of
the service to reach the final destination.
www.beca.com

3. Bus and Bike
Bikes increase the net
catchment per bus / rail / ferry
stop.
Tables and images from Research
www.beca.com Report 418

4. Growth in Bike and Bus in USA
Creating liveable Cities
http://vimeo.com/20052198
Bike bus tour: Basic
Info
Streetfilms
www.beca.com

5. Implementation
Identify Drivers and Champions for Project
Stakeholder engagement and financing
A successful implementation
of the Bike and Bus system
Roll-Out Planning should be staged to take
advantage of planning and
Market preparation building incremental support
Pre-roll out
4 E’s
Management and Evaluation
www.beca.com

6. Partial Implementation - Challenges
• Partial or trial approaches won’t work as well – and won’t capture the
excitement necessary to create meaningful behaviour change and may
take a long time to build support and generate demand for system.
• Risk is great – use analytical approach to maximise efficiency and
benefits of the investment
• The Cycle-PT Research combined an extensive literature review and
exposure to international systems allows NZ the opportunity to learn
from others –
• Opportunity to take the best from worldwide examples to create a truly
exciting and successful Cycle and Public Transport system
www.beca.com

7. Fully Integrated Bike on Bus System Rollout
The 4 E’s
Environment Education Engineering Encouragement
Create a Liveable City Create a Learning Create a Quality System Create a Culture
Environment
World Class Transport Practice racks at key Bus bike racks Advertising &
locations Branding
Active and Healthy City Bike locker and bike
Bike on Bus events - rack (bike parking) TravelWise
Sustainable transport Rolling Bus Tour establishment
modes Incentive programme
Cycle Education Improve local cycle
Integration with other access (key routes, Key performance
Regional Initiatives Teaming up with cycle lanes, signal monitoring system
(regional cycle ways, CAN/CAA and other priority for buses and
rental cycle scheme) advocate networks cycles, etc.) to stations Events
and heavily used local
Removal of Printed materials, bus stops Key public figures get
Impediments such as videos, combine with on board
Tunnels and Harbours branding Identify space
restrictions and turning
Maximise use of the bus turning radii
integrated Bike & PT conflicts (route audits)
system (i.e. lockers,
bike on board, bike Cycle signage to major
rentals, etc.) destinations and bus
www.beca.com stops

8. Education
Training
practice racks
Practice racks at busy stops as well as
general education about the rack
system.
The practice racks can reduce the fear
and hesitation – for that first time that is
always a bit scary
left: Example here is a travelling practice rack.
below: bike rack on bus tour
Travelling bus bike rack
Source:
Philly, PA, USA. Philly Bike Coalition
http://www.flickr.com/photos/philly_bike_coalition/4344509174/in/photostream/
www.beca.com

9. Education
Popular Training and ‘cool factor’
Internet video
Seattle General User Introduction to Bike Bus Rack Video
video:
mms://winmedia.kingcounty.gov/transit/metrobikeracks.wmv
Video with lots of examples of people loading and unloading their bicycles from the bus racks.
Provides clear and easy to understand directions for users.
Example videos on public
education on the concept of
putting your bike on the bus
Will need a NZ specific version!
Bike Rap Video: Louisville
Encouragement and Education
video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoFFg0W9UME
Rappers and bus drivers dance with a catchy tune advertising and educating
people on the new bus racks. Highlights the benefits of the bike and transit
combination.
www.beca.com

10. Engineering
Quality Equipment
Proven equipment.
Solid recent results on
Waiheke using the 3-
bike version
http://www.sportworks.com/bike-racks-for-buses.aspx
Sportworks Product Video
http://www.sportworks.com/bus-racks/video.aspx
www.beca.com

11. Engineering
Fixing the Constraints
Route Audit for Bike on Bus and Bike and Ride systems
- Bus geometric limitations: Buses will need to navigate with
another ~1 metre length. Route assessments to determine
where stop lines and parking may be affected by turning
buses (especially at signals)
- Bike and ride locker demand and placement: Efficient
placement at places of demand to minimise cost of
implementation.
- Access: Review cycle routes to and from the bus route or
facility to the sources of the demand (homes, businesses,
etc.)
www.beca.com

12. Engineering – bike parking
Locker supply and management
Craft a business or organisation model
which can manage the bicycle racks and
bicycle lockers
The lockers will become a pivotal part of a
integrated Cycle-PT system. Especially on
high volume PT routes such as the
Northern Busway (Auckland)
Incentives to use lockers can increase
locker utilisation and PT patronage
Technology, good positioning, marketing
and partnerships can enable a successful
locker system
Left top: Northern bus way locker. $2 deposit and
return system. (ARTA website)
Right top: Wellington bike lockers (CAN website)
Left bottom: Bike Link is a technology driven locker
www.beca.com system used along the CalTrain (and elsewhere)
system.

13. Encouragement
Culture & Behaviour Change
TravelWise and
Bikewise month
Develop flyers,
brochures to
encourage
additional riders
Build culture Examples found in
Chicago, Illinois,USA
around the
activity
How to create a
culture!
Influence Behaviour
Riding mentors: a Change
person to person
coach for cycling
www.beca.com

14. Implementation
Getting it Right
NZ has the advantage to learn from the rest of the world
And build a high quality complete system
Allow cyclists to reach the bus system with improved cycle facilities and
cycle parking at major stops and stations.
As overall cycle demand and facilities grow – PT Trips will follow.
The key is to build an integrated solution – all modes, all routes, on
board and lockers.
www.beca.com

15. Case Study - Waiheke
www.beca.com

16. Monitoring and Evaluation: users
 The Bike on Bus System on Waiheke island is likely to
experience a wide variety of users – especially those that:
─ Have more leisure time (sight seeing, wine tasting, exercise)
─ Will have families and large groups
─ A higher proportion of non-commuters and non-work business
─ Overall less consistent rider base
This will lead to users potentially with larger needs and interests in the
Bike on Bus system as well as users with more flexibility in time and less
focused on bus timetable efficiency.
www.beca.com

17. Fullers: Waiheke Bus Company
 Fullers arranged for the bike racks to be purchased as an
added value for their current and anticipated future patrons.
 Initial pilot – 3 racks were purchased.
─ The 3 racks were tested with real bikes for a few days while driving
over the roads and bus route
─ Opened to the public on 25 January 2012
 Success has lead to Fullers planning to purchase the
remaining racks for their bus fleet.
www.beca.com

18. Activities Undertaken
 Pre-implementation survey with bus drivers. This provided
the drivers to comment and add thoughts/reactions to about
the racks.
 Provided to Fullers Marketing, legal advice on liability,
instructions to users, and opportunities for making a ‘bike
loading video’
 Visually confirmed racks on buses and discussed system in
an informal follow-up with drivers
www.beca.com

19. Initial Findings
 Racks work extremely well, even given the rough road
conditions on Waiheke.
 A diverse user base of the racks
─ Tourists who may not anticipate the hilly terrain
─ Recreational users plan on half of trip by bus
─ Commuters, bus in, bike back (and vice versa)
─ Bike Commuters when time is tight, the bus offers a quicker alterative
─ Cyclists when Weather changes (rain and wind)
www.beca.com

20. Driver perspectives
 Initially:
─ Fearful of bike risks of falling off
─ Timetable issues of slow loading/unloading
─ Extra work to assist users
─ Tight geometry of roads around the island cause some concern of
safety
─ Didn’t see the point
www.beca.com

21. Driver perspectives
 Currently:
─ Already clear that the racks have added value to a few users
─ No impact on timetable
─ Have had to assist a few times
─ A few confused users unsure how to operate the rack
─ Bus ‘pulse’ configuration timetables for Ferry’s has resulted in
insufficient capacity to meet demand (more people on a specific ferry
want to use the limited rack space)
─ Drivers have become aware of tight spots. Some safety education
around stops may have to be undertaken (due to swing of a loaded
rack)
www.beca.com

22. Monitoring and Evaluation:
 On-board surveys will be carried out a few months that can
document changes from Pre- and Post- :
─ Demographics
─ Time of loading, unloading
─ Ease of use
─ Information that users had of the system
─ Driver’s impression of system
www.beca.com

23. Next Steps
 Refine the Waiheke approach
─ Ensure equipment is acceptable
─ Record driver information and feedback
─ Understand ‘growing’ pains of the first regional implementation
─ Provide better information to users of the system
 Wider roll-out application
─ Understand if any physical constraints
─ Document how different uses use the system and what information
can be better presented to maximise efficient use of the racks
www.beca.com

24. Case Study - Waiheke
Install permanent
Bike on Bus rack
at the Ferry
Station.
Practice rack for
those new to the
system
www.beca.com

25. Monitoring and Evaluation: usage
www.beca.com

26. Monitoring and Evaluation: usage
www.beca.com