NJ Racks Up Bike Friendly Buses

In May, NJ Transit fitted 350 buses in southern NJ with bike racks. The success of the pilot program will determine whether all 1,200 of NJT's buses are equipped with racks. The buses with racks can carry two bikes each, and travel routes in Trenton, Princeton, Atlantic City and all points south. So far the program has been a tremendous success -- over the past month and a half the racks were used over 350 times, with no incidents reported. Better yet, the rack program has attracted new bus riders. Additionally, all large "cruiser" type buses can carry bikes in the cargo space at no extra charge. The program will be reviewed this fall, and NJT will decide whether to expand it.

Either way, NJT deserves kudos for making traveling with a bike easier in New Jersey. In recognition of their effort, T.A. presented them with our Bike Friendly Business award for this prominent encouragement for area cyclists. T.A. urges NJT to improve on a strong start and provide racks on all of their buses. NYC Transit should emulate its neighbor across the Hudson and provide bike racks on buses, especially those crossing bridges without bike access such as the Verrazano, the Throgs Neck, Outerbridge and the Goethals. Currently, only one bus route, the QBX1, provides bike access.

Write to Lawrence Reuter the President of NYC Transit, to tell him about NJ Transit's progress. Urge him to follow their lead.

Lawrence Reuter
President
MTA New York City Transit
370 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

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