MTA tests bike rack on Staten Island bus
A bike rack was tested for one day on a lone Staten Island bus last week as part of a city pilot program targeting routes over crossings like the Verrazano Bridge.
The rack was fixed to the front of an S53 bus where customers could load and unload their own bikes.
Concern over the bus racks has been focused on the time it would take for riders to stow and remove their bikes, which would affect commutes.
Right now only folding bicycles are permitted aboard local and limited city buses, and even those aren't allowed on express lines.Source: Staten Island Advance [link to www.silive.com]
I do like the idea, particularly on the s53. As we know, there is no pedestrian or bicycle route over the Verrazano Bridge. This would be good for folks like me who enjoy bicycle riding, but have no car. I'd love to bicycle from Staten Island via Bay Ridge to the Rockaways (and beyond) when the weather gets nice.
Designating certain bus stops to accept bicycle customers, particularly at terminals, major intersections and the SIR at Grasmere should have a negligible effect on dwell times. I remember using a bus bicycle rack somewhere (either on NJT or somewhere out west) and loading and unloading was really quick.
Are there any other routes in the city that should be considered for this program?