Addressing Bicycle Capacity Issues on Public Transportation Advanced Transportation Technologies Clean Transportation Solutions SM Whitney Pitkanen Project Manager
MISSION STATEMENT CALSTART is dedicated to supporting and accelerating the growth of the advanced transportation technologies industry and its related markets, with the goals of: Cleaning the air; Improving energy efficiency; and Creating high-quality jobs.
CALSTART Focus Areas (current programs) Vehicles and Technologies Hybrid Truck Users Forum National Fuel Cell Bus Tech Initiative LNG and Hybrid Electric Yard Hostlers Innovative Mobility (First Mile) Bus Rapid Transit First Mile MyGo-Pasadena Bikestation Seattle Consulting Services Fleet AFV Choices Strategic Partnering Market Analysis 5-Year Goal: To Develop Vehicles, Fuels and Systems that Can Reduce Petroleum Use 20% by 2020 Industry Support Participant Program Technical Advisory Committee Conferences Publications New Fuels CA E85 Network Biomethane Task Force Hydrogen Biofuels Policy California Secure Transportation Energy Partnership 2020 Conference
National Economic Drivers Canadian Oil Shock Analyst Predicts $7 Gas, Mass Exodus from Cars Forecast suggests 10 million fewer vehicles on American roadways over next 4 years a decline that dwarfs all previous adjustments including those during the two OPEC oil shocks. Source: CIBC US Vehicle Miles Traveled down by 1.8% in April 08 and US auto sales hit 15-year low. Higher gas prices = increase in bike and transit usage
National Economic Drivers CERA forecasts significant transportation energy shift: US gasoline demand has peaked and will fall in 2008; and that oil has reached a break point Drivers Turn the Corner says if fuel prices stay high, 2007 will have been gasoline s peak demand year Predicts pain point of $4.20/gallon as trigger Efficient cars, less driving are long term trend Cambridge Energy Research Associates Oil at the Break Point Report
Rise in Gas Price Increases Transit Ridership High gas prices move people towards mass transit Source: American Transportation Assn Report, June, 2008 Biggest gains in light rail (10.3%), commuter rail (5.7%); bus ridership up 2.2% Seattle commuter rail systems sees greatest national gain in ridership in first quarter of 2008.
Local Barriers arise for Bike/Transit Users Transit Operators feel the Squeeze Ridership Crunch Los Angeles County MTA Rising gas prices push ridership up 12.8% from one year ago (up 7.13% from April to June alone) Most of these riders are discretionary (out of their cars for first time) Peak hour bike bans now enforced Cyclists being bumped as ridership increases Peak hour towards typical commute directions e.g. to central business district - Morning 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM - Evening 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM Only 3 racks per bus, no racks on light rail
Local Barriers for Transit Agencies Car parking at capacity at transit stations Transit agencies struggle to meet demand in business as usual manner $25,000 per parking space $42 million total for above-ground structure 75% of BART riders either walk, ride bikes, get dropped off or take the bus, carpools or vanpools to BART stations "We are looking to expand our parking availability, but if you look at our bigger, long-range goals, we are interested in reducing the reliance on automobiles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," - Linton Johnson, BART chief spokesperson Newly-constructed BART parking garage located in Pleasanton, CA
Possible Solutions 1 2 3 4 Start a bike-sharing program Free up space for bikes by removing more seats or adding more vehicles or service. Encourage first mile connections by adding more bike parking at transit stations Implement a folding bike program
1 Bike Sharing Programs Begin Slow Roll-out Across U.S. Two Velib bicycles locked at a station in Paris are part of a fleet of 10,000 self-service bicycles launched in 2007 in the city SmartBike in Washington DC, launched in May 2008, has 120 bicycles available at 10 spots in central locations in the city To offset costs to the public, bike-sharing may become a public service subsidized by exclusive outdoor advertising rights in and around City JCDecaux sponsors Paris Velib program Clear Channel Outdoor sponsors and administers DC program similar deal reached with San Francisco, CA. Other U.S. programs in planning stages: Chicago, IL: Seattle, WA; Philadelphia, PA. Portland, OR s proposal for a fleet of 500 bicycles put on hold in June 2008 citing concerns about funding and logistical issues.
2 Make room for bikes on existing transit capacity Caltrain is one of the only commuter rail systems in the United States that has designated bike cars with capacity for either 16 or 32 bikes, free of extra charges Cyclists make up an estimated 8 % of Caltrain's weekday riders - reportedly the highest number of bicycle boardings in U.S. With recent ridership increases, Caltrain forced to start bumping cyclists Mountain View Caltrain Station Caltrain bike car
2 Make room for bikes on existing transit capacity The RFTA Bike Express bus in Colorado will have four outside racks and 12 interior racks, making it capable of hauling 16 bikes first come, first served regular fare plus $2 for bike. But does this make sense from an economic perspective for all transit agencies?
3 Add bicycle parking at transit stations The Los Angeles County transit system will spend about $100,000 in each of the next five years to build 100 bike lockers at three Red Line and five Orange Line stations, including 32 to replace 12 old ones in North Hollywood. North Hollywood Metro Station
CALSTART Case Example: MyGo-Pasadena MyGo-Pasadena provides significant rebates and cash rewards to transit commuters to purchase/use a two-wheel electric bicycle/scooter to connect to their neighborhood transit stations. Seeks current & future Gold Line riders to drive a 2-wheel EV (vs. a single occupancy vehicle) to one of three stations. Sierra Madre Villa, Memorial Park or Del Mar will be the origin stations, while Union Station in downtown LA will be the most common destination station for participant commuters.
The MyGo-Getters!
Shared Locker System at Pasadena Light Rail Station Low-tech solution Chit key vault Before MyGo Lockers represent a lasting contribution to the LACMTA and Pasadena residents After MyGo
4 Implement a Folding Bike Program
4 Benefits of using Folding Bikes with Transit Increases bike carrying capacity of transit without additional expense Relieves parking congestion at transit stations (for bikes and cars) Promotes healthier communities Improves transit access Reduces air pollution and GHG emissions
Folding Bikes in Action
Clean Transportation Solutions SM Advanced Transportation Technologies SM www.calstart.org