BART embracing big bikes, rolling out improvements for all cyclists
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is working on new ways to make it easier to bring bikes on its system.
Bike enthusiasts have organized monthly East Bay Bike Parties that start at BART stations on the second Friday of the month. BART says it is excited to see such events that combine bikes and transit, and wants to do all it can to promote life on two wheels.
Elevator dimension guide
BART understands that bikes these days are big. Over the past decade, longer and heavier bicycles, such as e-bikes and cargo bikes, have grown in popularity. BART has created an elevator dimension guide to assist cyclists in navigating BART elevators. It outlines the dimensions of each elevator in the system including measurements of the door, width, length and diagonal space across the floor. Riders should use their best judgment when utilizing system elevators because individual bikes and elevators vary in size.
Bike stair channels
New bike stair channels are in the works for eight stations: 19th Street/Oakland, 12th Street/Oakland, Lake Merritt, Coliseum, Walnut Creek, Embarcadero, Civic Center and 24th Street Mission. These channels will make it easy to roll bike up and down stairs. New wayfinding signs will be installed at the stations to guide riders to entrances and exits with the channels. The 19th Street Station will be the first station to get the bike channels and BART says it plans to do extensive user experience testing to ensure the design works for larger bikes before we move forward with the other stations.
Fare gate design
As BART rolls out next generation fare gates and prepare to purchase new gates, it plans to improve the experience for those bringing bikes through the gates. Some of the prototypes have not been bike-friendly and BART adds it wants to make it clear this is not the direction it is heading. BART plans to offer wide gates with a door style that allows proper time and space to bring a bike through the gate without stress.
Bike racks on board
BART's new Fleet of the Future cars include two bike areas at each end of the car, creating a predictable boarding location for bicyclists. Each bike area will have a horizontal leaning bar and straps that bicyclists can use to stabilize their bikes. Some new cars still have bike racks, but these will be removed and replaced with the lean bar.
Safe routes to BART
BART’s Measure RR infrastructure bond is helping pay for projects that improve bike connectivity to stations. Funding has been awarded for the Iron Horse Trail Bridge near Dublin Station, the city of Fremont’s Walnut Ave. protected intersection project near the Fremont Station, the city of Pittsburg’s bikeway project near the Pittsburg Center Station, and the city of San Francisco’s 5th Street improvement project serving Powell Street Station.
Trip ideas
BARTable offers detailed bike routes from stations that make it easy to explore new areas and trails. From an adventurous ride to the top of Mt. Diablo to casual cruises around fun neighborhoods, a guide has riders covered.
BART’s Trip Planner on the website and official app lets riders select bicycling as a segment of a trip and offers end-to-end directions including how long the trip will take. Under options, turn on “bicycle transport.” Riders can select various cycling speed to adjust travel time predictions.
