Multimodal bicycle/transit trips

Multimodal bicycle/transit trips expand the capture area of rail stations without the large expense and space requirements of automobile parking. Over longer distances, using the bicycle as a feeder mode for public transit can result in shorter trip times than a point-to-point bicycle trip, despite the delay while waiting for a train to arrive. If the public transit system transports bicycles, then a passenger's bicycle may be used at both ends of a trip.

The St. Louis MetroLink system transports bicycles at all hours, not only at off-peak hours as some other regional rail systems do. This is a valuable service which encourages both bicycle use and transit use, particularly where it provides a crossing of the Mississippi River. However, transporting bicycles can become expensive if the MetroLink trains become crowded and bicycles displace potential passengers. Therefore, MetroLink needs to plan to accommodate bicycles efficiently.

Seven bus lines in the St. Louis area have bicycle racks on buses; however, it is my understanding that the buses with these carriers are not always available, and so service is unreliable.

Illinois operates the free Brussels Ferry, which takes bicycles, across the Illinois River near Pere Marquette State Park.

The Golden Eagle Ferry is a private toll ferry that crosses the Mississippi River from Calhoun County, Illinois to St. Charles County, Missouri near Route B east of Route C.

Recommendations:

• Maintain bicycle access to MetroLink and expand it to lines planned for the future.

• Consider purchase or modification of rolling stock to accommodate bicycles efficiently and to minimize the risk of contact with passengers' clothing. Common solutions are to provide hooks to hang bicycles vertically, or separate compartments with fold-down benches for passengers with bicycles, baby strollers or large baggage items.

• Provide bicycle access to station platforms. Generally, wheelchair access provisions also work for bicycles except where a small elevator is used for wheelchair access. Access is especially important at stations which allow transfer to other transit modes or lines (airport, Amtrak, future MetroLink lines). When stations are closely spaced (less than approximately 2 miles apart), bicycle access is not necessary at every station.

• Provide secure bicycle parking at MetroLink stations for commuters who need to use a bicycle at only one end of a trip. A high level of security is necessary for commuters to leave their bicycles parked at a station all day, every day. Secure parking may be of three types: bicycle lockers rented by the month; bicycle racks constantly within view of a parking garage attendant, ticket booth attendant or security guard; or an attended parking service possibly combined with a bicycle repair shop. The attended parking service has higher overhead, but can be workable at stations which attract large numbers of commuters who arrive by bicycle. This service may be run as a concession, operated by a private entrepreneur. Parking should be sheltered to avoid deterioration of bicycles by weather.

• Improve access to stations where it is a problem. Access from the street is usually not a problem, but an alternate route for bicyclists may be required if a station is otherwise accessible only from a limited access highway. If part of a station's service area is accessible only by circuitous routes, multimodal trips may be encouraged by providing a more direct and faster bicycle route.

• Upgrade bus service with bicycle racks, and target it to river crossings where other means of crossing are not available.

• Any commuter ferry service should accept bicycles. This service is generally convenient for ferry operators to provide, and can be a source of added revenue.