Articles

Bikes + Transit: Beat the Gas Guzzlers

By Bill Thorness, BikingPugetSound.com

Do gas prices have you cycling more? Many people are considering mass transit rather than driving. As cyclists, we can take our bikes on any of our mass-transit vehicles, making transit an even more attractive option for errands, meetings, events or recreation.

Here are some tips to make mass-transit work better for you.

Bus:

The bus is our most convenient system to use; it’s probably running pretty close to your neighborhood, and it has quite a regular schedule. There is no extra charge for taking your bike on the bus in any Seattle metro-area county.

King County’s Metro Transit, Pierce Transit and Snohomish County’s Community Transit all have bike racks on the front of their buses that are easy to use. Most hold two bikes, but some hold three. Simply pull the rack down, set your bike tires into the tracks, and pull the hold-down bar over the front tire. If a bike is already on the rack, use the other open slot. Always tell the driver when you’re going to put a bike on the bus or take one off.

In downtown Seattle, you can’t load or unload your bike in the “ride-free area” between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., so you must do that on the edge of downtown. On Pierce and Community Transit, you may be able to bring your bike on board when the rack is full; this is at the driver’s discretion, and passengers have priority.

Rail:

People are commuting by Sound Transit’s “Sounder” train, and by Amtrak, and each system can be useful for cyclists.

Each Sounder car is equipped with tie-downs for two bikes – look for the car with the bike symbol by the door. Also, there is space for four additional bicycles in the vestibule of the car, immediately inside the door. You must stay with your bike if loading in this area. Tacoma’s “Link” light rail train that travels 1.6 miles through downtown Tacoma, also allows bikes. There is no extra fee to bring a bike on Sounder trains, and Tacoma’s Link is entirely free.

Amtrak “Cascades” trains are equipped with racks for six bikes. There is an extra $5 charge to bring a bike, and reservations must be made in advance.

Finally, the new South Lake Union Streetcar will allow bicycles, in the low floor section only.

Washington State Ferries:

Bicyclists load with the cars at most ferry docks. Enter the dock area with cars and pay at the vehicle toll plaza, unless instructed otherwise. Bikes queue up in front of cars in a signed waiting area, and are generally allowed to board before cars. Wait for a verbal signal from ferry loading personnel.

Once onboard, cycle to the bow of the ferry and tie up with provided ropes attached to rails along the edge of the car deck. Cyclists should remember that exposed cleats are not allowed on the passenger deck. Currently, cycling onto the ferry costs an extra dollar above the passenger fee, or you can purchase a $20 annual bicycle permit.

When departing the ferry, be ready with your bike, because you’re generally let off first too. Again, wait for the verbal signal. After riding off the ferry, it’s safest to pull to the side of the road and wait for the car traffic to disembark.

Elliott Bay Water Taxi:

Another way to get on the water with your bike is to take the “water taxi,” which is operated by the new King County Ferry District from Pier 55 at foot of Spring Street in downtown Seattle to the Seacrest dock in West Seattle. It’s a 12-minute crossing. Bicycles are welcome, as space permits, at no additional fee.