Belleville buses helping cyclists travel with new bike racks

By Jack Carver

Belleville transit is giving cyclists a helping hand by outfitting buses with bike racks starting mid-July

“We’re waiting for a permit,” Hodgson said. “Should be sometime around the middle of the month,” said Peter Hodgson, manager of Belleville transit services.”

The racks are currently on four of the 15 Belleville city buses and all will be outfitted once the permit is obtained later in the month. The racks will support bikes with tires that are 16 inches to 29 inches large. It will be the owner’s responsibility to mount and take off the bike.

Hodgson said that trail users and people who experience bike malfunctions would benefit from the racks.

“We have an extensive trail system and plus people who for instance, if people wanted to ride their bikes down the trail, and then hop on the bus,” said Hodgson. “Also if people have a malfunction, you can just put your bike on the bus instead of walking it home.”

Hodgson said he isn’t worried that people using the racks will slow down route times.

“It’s not very likely,” said Hodgson.” It takes about 30 seconds to put the bike on. If it happens twice in a trip it’d only be taking up about a minute to put them both on there.”

But local bus drivers, who asked not to be identified, share some concerns about the bike racks.

“I really see this just becoming one more stress,” the driver said. “We have a bus route that is consistently late and I’m afraid the bike racks will slow it down even more.”

She rides a bike herself and is worried that passengers need more information before the buses are outfitted.

“People need to be informed about it,” the driver said. “The racks only take certain bikes, so a lot of smaller or larger bikes won’t fit properly on it. They’re pretty high up. I have a mountain bike and it’s pretty heavy, I don’t think I could even lift it up to put it in properly.”

Another bus driver is also concerned about what the racks could do to bus schedules.

“I’m worried that it’ll increase route times, with people putting bikes up and taking them off,” she said. “Also it’s hard to manoeuvre the buses with it. They’re already 40 feet long, with the rack it’s an extra three feet.”

But some people agree that if it works properly, getting people out of their cars more is a good idea.

Jeff Bentley, a daily bus rider, said he thinks that it could be a good thing.

“Looks like a good idea,” said Bentley. “Getting people onto the buses or bikes is always good.”

Mike Bugg, manager of Doug’s Bicycle, said he feels the same way.

“It’s a good idea if people are using it,” said Bugg. “If they have a mechanical problem or something it’d be easy to just hop on the bus with it. Anything that gets people out of their cars and on buses, their bikes, or commuting is a good idea.”

But there are concerns that the racks aren’t needed.

“I can’t see a lot of people using this,” Bentley said.“It’s easy enough to ride your bike in the city instead of taking the bus.”

Bugg said he would rather use his own means to get around town

“Personally I’d just ride my bike, “Bugg said. “It doesn’t take long to get around the city and it’s more reliable.”

Hodgson said he was interested to see what people think once they start equipping the buses with the racks.