Carrying a new bike around on the bus in Seattle... safe?
#1
Just a person on bike
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Carrying a new bike around on the bus in Seattle... safe?
Hi.
I just bought a new Trek bike. I plan on taking it to trails and bike paths for some run rides, and I want to use metro buses as the means of transportation. Since I have a monthly pass (as I take the bus to work), taking my bike on the bus will cost me nothing more.
My question is, how safe is it? I have carried my old bike on the metro buses before (mainly short routes) without any problem, and I've personally never seen any bike stolen from the bus rack in the past few years. OTOH, my bike is brand new, and I don't want to take too much of a chance.
What's your take on it?
I just bought a new Trek bike. I plan on taking it to trails and bike paths for some run rides, and I want to use metro buses as the means of transportation. Since I have a monthly pass (as I take the bus to work), taking my bike on the bus will cost me nothing more.
My question is, how safe is it? I have carried my old bike on the metro buses before (mainly short routes) without any problem, and I've personally never seen any bike stolen from the bus rack in the past few years. OTOH, my bike is brand new, and I don't want to take too much of a chance.
What's your take on it?
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I'd say keep a keen eye on it. Sit near the front and don't take your eye off it. OR just HTFU and ride to the trails
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!DISCLAIMER!
Putting anything like a lock onto something owned by the department of transportation i.e. a bus, might not be within your lawful limits, so talk to them before you lock your bike in any way to the rack. I hope the info helps! cya on the streets!
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Unless someone actively watches you dive to the back of the bus and disappear into your phone it would take a really brazen criminal to pull a bike off the front of the bus. The drivers tend to track who the riders are or the thief would be worried they would but really to be honest it is almost always faster to ride a bike vs. take a bus in this area unless you are using the buses that use the freeways.
Even up hill, I kept waiting for the 67 to pass me today as it was behind me at the light to cross the University bridge but I kept hearing it half a block behind me all the way up to Ravenna where I turned right.
Even up hill, I kept waiting for the 67 to pass me today as it was behind me at the light to cross the University bridge but I kept hearing it half a block behind me all the way up to Ravenna where I turned right.
#6
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Unless someone actively watches you dive to the back of the bus and disappear into your phone it would take a really brazen criminal to pull a bike off the front of the bus. The drivers tend to track who the riders are or the thief would be worried they would but really to be honest it is almost always faster to ride a bike vs. take a bus in this area unless you are using the buses that use the freeways.
Even up hill, I kept waiting for the 67 to pass me today as it was behind me at the light to cross the University bridge but I kept hearing it half a block behind me all the way up to Ravenna where I turned right.
Even up hill, I kept waiting for the 67 to pass me today as it was behind me at the light to cross the University bridge but I kept hearing it half a block behind me all the way up to Ravenna where I turned right.
I did ride all the way from home to work in the morning, but chose to take the bus on the way back home because... well, I was lazy!
#7
Squeaky Wheel
The driver won't let you lock your bike to the rack. But you can put a U-Lock or cable lock around the wheels/frame so that if someone does grab it they won't be able to ride off with it. If they have to carry it odds are you can run them down
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I have been using the racks since they were first installed and have had no problems. You do want to enter and leave the bus from the front door. Try and sit toward the front. Under no circumstances do you lock your bike to the rack, it is unnecessary. I have never heard of anyone having their bike stolen off a bus, but if you are nervous just keep an eye on it at any stops.
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#9
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I have been using the racks since they were first installed and have had no problems. You do want to enter and leave the bus from the front door. Try and sit toward the front. Under no circumstances do you lock your bike to the rack, it is unnecessary. I have never heard of anyone having their bike stolen off a bus, but if you are nervous just keep an eye on it at any stops.
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I've carried my bike on the bus rack a few times by now - all without any incident. I do stand in front so I can keep an eye out on the bike. FYI, King County Metro now requires that you enter from the front door (and pay right there). The more I do it, the more I get used to it.
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#11
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I still kinda feel like that as I see my bike bounce up and down on the rack...
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#12
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I've had drivers who I swear are trying to shake the bike off, lol.
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What is your bike made out of?
I've never seen or heard of a bike being stolen from the racks on the bus. Seems like the potential is there because you can make a quick getaway on a bike, but as far as I know it just doesn't happen.
Because the bus has room for two bikes, I'd be concerned about a carbon frame. Somebody else puts their bike on the other rack, the bus hits a pothole, the bikes knock against each other. Eventually that will crack carbon tubing. That's the only thing I'd worry about.
The advice about staying near the front of the bus and keeping an eye on the bike is good.
I've never seen or heard of a bike being stolen from the racks on the bus. Seems like the potential is there because you can make a quick getaway on a bike, but as far as I know it just doesn't happen.
Because the bus has room for two bikes, I'd be concerned about a carbon frame. Somebody else puts their bike on the other rack, the bus hits a pothole, the bikes knock against each other. Eventually that will crack carbon tubing. That's the only thing I'd worry about.
The advice about staying near the front of the bus and keeping an eye on the bike is good.
#14
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What is your bike made out of?
I've never seen or heard of a bike being stolen from the racks on the bus. Seems like the potential is there because you can make a quick getaway on a bike, but as far as I know it just doesn't happen.
Because the bus has room for two bikes, I'd be concerned about a carbon frame. Somebody else puts their bike on the other rack, the bus hits a pothole, the bikes knock against each other. Eventually that will crack carbon tubing. That's the only thing I'd worry about.
The advice about staying near the front of the bus and keeping an eye on the bike is good.
I've never seen or heard of a bike being stolen from the racks on the bus. Seems like the potential is there because you can make a quick getaway on a bike, but as far as I know it just doesn't happen.
Because the bus has room for two bikes, I'd be concerned about a carbon frame. Somebody else puts their bike on the other rack, the bus hits a pothole, the bikes knock against each other. Eventually that will crack carbon tubing. That's the only thing I'd worry about.
The advice about staying near the front of the bus and keeping an eye on the bike is good.
Our buses can accommodate 3 bikes, and as far as I can see, there's enough room between the racks so the bikes don't hit one another - unless the bus slams into a wall.
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This question has been asked a few times, so I asked a driver if they had ever heard of a bike being stolen off the rack and the answer was no. Granted, that is one driver in a large fleet and whether Metro transmits that specific information to all its drivers is unknown.
#16
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This question has been asked a few times, so I asked a driver if they had ever heard of a bike being stolen off the rack and the answer was no. Granted, that is one driver in a large fleet and whether Metro transmits that specific information to all its drivers is unknown.
BTW, do you ride on the Interurban Trail? I love it there.
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The 301 if I'm commuting + bike and had a brutal day at work. The 331 if I rode past MaryMoor and don’t want to climb Perkins back to Shoreline. I'll grab a bus anywhere if I bonk. I wish they'd allow bikes on the 520 bridge. That's the only reason I grab a bus from that-a-way to this-a-way.
I ride the UIT when I commute. Hey did you notice they finally put stop signs for the cross traffic along the IUT from about 105th to about 83rd? Sweet. It makes a real difference when drivers actually stop to pause :-p
I ride the UIT when I commute. Hey did you notice they finally put stop signs for the cross traffic along the IUT from about 105th to about 83rd? Sweet. It makes a real difference when drivers actually stop to pause :-p
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The 301 if I'm commuting + bike and had a brutal day at work. The 331 if I rode past MaryMoor and don’t want to climb Perkins back to Shoreline. I'll grab a bus anywhere if I bonk. I wish they'd allow bikes on the 520 bridge. That's the only reason I grab a bus from that-a-way to this-a-way.
I ride the UIT when I commute. Hey did you notice they finally put stop signs for the cross traffic along the IUT from about 105th to about 83rd? Sweet. It makes a real difference when drivers actually stop to pause :-p
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#20
Squeaky Wheel
Not supposed to build - it's being built! They have nice drawings on the DOT website...it's got bike lanes! Now if they would just go faster...
#21
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Awesome! I'm so behind, it's not even funny.
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That's great news about the 520, Woodway! It will be nice to get my bridge on without having to go to I-90 or Hood Canal.
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My roommate swears that the light has been there since we moved here (July 2008) and the UIT became part of a regular route. Now what IS new are the ground activators. I'd say they are maybe a year or less. I could be wrong (happens all the time). A Gmaps street-view dated Oct 2012 shows the little activator sign on the ground, where the rider sits and trips the light.
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And now...speedbumps!
Saw them when I rode in on Saturday. I'd say they are <2 weeks old. From 103rd down to 83rd they are placed every 3 blocks. They are the bigger kind, not the short annoying ones, but the kinds that bikes ride over but cars must presumably still slow down a bit for. In my opinion, they are not high enough (cant get any air going over one) to make a driver want to slow down, but hey, I appreciate the effort. I think the locals are getting used to the new stop signs as well, for people are actually stopping. I made the entire run on the IUT from 103rd to 83rd without stopping once! Just slowing a bit at the roundabouts and for the occasional thril- seeking squirrel.
Saw them when I rode in on Saturday. I'd say they are <2 weeks old. From 103rd down to 83rd they are placed every 3 blocks. They are the bigger kind, not the short annoying ones, but the kinds that bikes ride over but cars must presumably still slow down a bit for. In my opinion, they are not high enough (cant get any air going over one) to make a driver want to slow down, but hey, I appreciate the effort. I think the locals are getting used to the new stop signs as well, for people are actually stopping. I made the entire run on the IUT from 103rd to 83rd without stopping once! Just slowing a bit at the roundabouts and for the occasional thril- seeking squirrel.
#25
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And now...speedbumps!
Saw them when I rode in on Saturday. I'd say they are <2 weeks old. From 103rd down to 83rd they are placed every 3 blocks. They are the bigger kind, not the short annoying ones, but the kinds that bikes ride over but cars must presumably still slow down a bit for. In my opinion, they are not high enough (cant get any air going over one) to make a driver want to slow down, but hey, I appreciate the effort. I think the locals are getting used to the new stop signs as well, for people are actually stopping. I made the entire run on the IUT from 103rd to 83rd without stopping once! Just slowing a bit at the roundabouts and for the occasional thril- seeking squirrel.
Saw them when I rode in on Saturday. I'd say they are <2 weeks old. From 103rd down to 83rd they are placed every 3 blocks. They are the bigger kind, not the short annoying ones, but the kinds that bikes ride over but cars must presumably still slow down a bit for. In my opinion, they are not high enough (cant get any air going over one) to make a driver want to slow down, but hey, I appreciate the effort. I think the locals are getting used to the new stop signs as well, for people are actually stopping. I made the entire run on the IUT from 103rd to 83rd without stopping once! Just slowing a bit at the roundabouts and for the occasional thril- seeking squirrel.
I rode there on Saturday as well. probably around 1 - 1:30 PM. We may have crossed paths.
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