biketocamp

Hey everyone. I thought I'd share my hack on how to use the NYC Metrocard and bicycle. It speeds things up a bit for me during commutes. I'm always on my bicycle so for this video I wanted to try and combine the two. No Uber or Taxi needed lol. Enjoy!

wheelreason

The F train runs to LI now? Also It would be good to mention to those not familiar with NYC that while bringing bikes onto the subway is legal, it's probably not a good idea on certain lines during rush hour or other peak times. Is this covered in the e book?

wayne310

i bought a bike so i never have to use MTA again..horrible horrible organisation..i got stuck in train middle of tunnel for 45 mins on a friday night and thats the night i decided i am done with subway

i love biking in nyc and can go in any corner of city on a bike as distances arent much.

look into new east river ferry services...they are bike friendly and can help u get across

screw commuting like a rat underground

prathmann

The SF version of this is to use BART (our local commuter rail system) for getting across the bay with your bike. They've gradually been improving access. Initially it was banned during rush commute times and restricted to the last car only. That last rule was scrapped after women were advised to avoid the last few train cars later at night for safety considerations. And recently they dropped the ban during peak commute times although there's still a general rule not to board already crowded train cars with a bicycle. They're also rolling out new train cars with improved rack space for bikes.

nycphotography

F train goes to Jamaica Queens.

You can change to the E train (or get off the F train two stops short of the end at Sutphin and walk a couple blocks south past Jamaica Ave to the LIRR station and catch a commuter train (time tables and rate cards) to Hempstead. Or the Air train to JFK (for $5).

Or you can ride east. Riding from Jamaica (last stop in Subway land) to Hempstead is about 9 miles, with a few routes to choose from.

My per[s]onal experience is that the F train from Midtown (say Rockefeller 50th and 6th ave) to last top in queens at 179th st and Hillside takes about 40-45 minutes. I ride from 50th and Park to 179th and Hillside in about..... 40-45 minutes. (Google says this ride takes 1h 20m. Granted I am...lets say less intimidated by traffic... than most, and I'm not noodling along a citi bike taking my time).

When I lived in Brooklyn (Myrtle and Broadway) the J train to the 6 train took about 35 minutes to midtown. I did the same on my bike in about....35 minutes.

I think for most people, OP is giving pretty good advice and expectations.

BillyD

Moved to Commuting from Road. Will probably get more hits there.

jnb22019

My point of commuting by bike is so I don't have to ride the subway.

For my commute both take about the same time, an hour or so, and I prefer the bike.

I agree with not taking a bike on the train during rush hour, I hate when others do it, the trains are usually packed enough that adding a bicycle is a pain in the a.

If you're going very far, then the video is indeed helpful but for shorter rides I wouldn't bother.

zacster

I've been mostly biking instead of the subway, to the point where I regret that I have to take a train due to weather on occasion, or sometimes after work events. It takes slightly longer by bike than train but it is well worth it. I only take the bike on the train on weekends, and then only if I've overdone it on a long ride and I don't want to ride the streets home in Brooklyn. My commute is 10 miles each way, and bike lanes most of the way too. I go through Prospect Park both directions, and the Manhattan Bridge. It is a nice ride mostly and I get a good workout.

cat0020

For the past four years my commute from Hoboken to Coney Isl. requires me to use the PATH or ferry to get across the Hudson.
On nice weather days, I can ride across the GWB which about doubles the distance.
On worse weather days I take my folding bike onto the B or Q and get off once in nicer area in Brooklyn to avoid crazy drivers.
I avoid rush hours on the subway, either get to work early to leave early or get to work mid-day and stay late.

JonathanGennick 

Nice! I've subscribed. I love that you have a video on using olive oil as chain lube.

noglider 

Good video. But you skipped the part of lifting your bike over the turnstile. I can do it, but it's not easy, especially for women.

nycphotography

You don't lift your bike at the turnstiles.

you tap on the station agent glass and point at the bike.. then you swipe, and advance the turnstile empty... then they buzz you in thru the exit door beside the turnstiles.

You also exit thru a similar exit door.

It helps to know how to avoid the "card only" entrances with the round turnstiles for your given stations.

Now for the bad news.... you still have to schlep your bike up and down the stairs once you're thru the turnstile.

cat0020

Luckily, I am slim enough and my folding bike is small enough to walk through the turnstile together.

I do wish they make a rear fender small enough that I can roll the bike down the stairs upright by the rear wheel; with both hands holding the grips of handlebar and not have to carry the bike with my shoulder to go down steps.

ds3000

RubeRad

Multi-modal is a 'hack'?

A lot of the other vids on that channel look more interesting.

(Am I the only one that wanted to see that ogre ride down the stairs?)

biketocamp

Haha yeah this actually works too. Nice one.

biketocamp

Thanks! haha yeah you know I do that when I'm out or low on chain lube. Works wonders.

Jim from Boston

How I Use The NYC Metrocard and Bike

Quote:

Originally Posted by biketocamp

Hey everyone. I thought I'd share my hack on how to use the NYC Metrocard and bicycle. It speeds things up a bit for me during commutes….

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne310

i bought a bike so i never have to use MTA again..horrible horrible organisation

Quote:

Originally Posted by prathmann

The SF version of this is to use BART (our local commuter rail system) for getting across the bay with your bike. They've gradually been improving access. Initially it was banned during rush commute times and restricted to the last car only...

And recently they dropped the ban during peak commute times although there's still a general rule not to board already crowded train cars with a bicycle. They're also rolling out new train cars with improved rack space for bikes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RubeRad

Multi-modal is a 'hack'?...

Of course, as a resident of NYC’s rival Northeast Metropolis, I just had to post about our "beloved" MBTA I still haven't used the MBTA ferry to get across Boston Harbor to the scenic South Shore.

Dahon.Steve

I thought the OP was going to Penn station and take the LIRR. The cost would have been $8.75. I use this form of multi-mode travel all the time but only for enjoyment. I would take the F Train to Jamica with my bike and ride to Coney Island just for kicks.

With a bike, you can cut the cost of MetroNorth and the LIRR a lot by using the Metocard and an bike.

1nterceptor

if a rider has to take the train a lot; I,dsuggest to get a folding bike.
Here I'm getting on the train(NY/NJ Path) and a standing room only bus(NJ Transit):

KraneXL

Tell them I said its about time they got with the program. What no handicapped entry/exist? You people have got to get with the times.

cat0020

Since SEP 2013, I've been commuting on the PATH at least 3 times a week with my folding bike.
I catch the PATH train between 6 and 6:30 AM before the rush, returning home I get on the PATH before 4PM or after 6:30PM.
Most or all of the time I don't bother folding my bike, there is plenty of room to sit when I ride the PATH train.
I think the folded up bike takes up more room than me sitting on the bike with lowered seat.
Even when the train is crowded, I'm more stable sitting on the bike than standing and taking up a post spot on the pole for standing passenger.
BTW, the PATH train ride is such a joke compare to commuter rails on the west coast or even China.
Trains are slow, inconsistent in service, bumpy jerky & noisy rides.
If you get on or off at the end stations, you are likely to get permanent hearing damage every time the train comes to a stop at the station.
For $2.75 each ride, it's such a ripoff, but besides ferries, there is no other alternative for bicycle rider to get across the Hudson without adding 6-10 miles to the commute.
Such BS.

Dahon.Steve

+100000000000000

I've been taking the Path train for over 20 years and it's the reason I take an express bus into Manhattan each day going into the city. The situation has actually gotten worse over the years as tremendous growth of downtown Jersey City created a sardine can experience. There are so many hi-rise buildings going up in Journal Square, Harrison and Hoboken and guess where all of these people are going to go? PATH! You better get used to it because it's going to get a lot worse in the future.

Too bad New York Waterway cost 3 times the price of Path.

KraneXL

You'd think that after a century of growth without planning for the future we'd no better by now. But apparently money still talks.

Jim from Boston

Sliding gates:



and escalators and elevators.