Bicycle-Rail integration

[#Metro]

I was going to post this into the port of brisbane bus thread, but it could be rolled out all over the network.
Bicycle-Rail and bicycle-bus integration isn't something that has the spotlight on it.

I think it has huge potential because cycling can be done on almost all streets and footpaths, whereas a bus can only go down some streets. There are the blue bike bins, but I think this isn't very successful due to the forms, the keys etc. Simple covered bicycle areas or go-card activated communal bike shelters are an idea. Even major BUZ stops- the back of the shelter could have a bar you could tie your bike up to. The back of the CityGlider bus stops are almost good enough for this...

Marker signs on street posts below street signs, similar to those for buses in the suburbs to direct cyclists to the rail station.

It is not good enough to just have bike routes on a map on some website separate from the TransLink website. TransLink has walking integrated into the Journey planner, but not cycling! Nobody expects car drivers to exclusively use a map, there are street signs, even in the age of GPS.

[Golliwog]

If they're going to put in bike racks, I'd go for more than just a pole. The newer bike racks at UQ next to/under the maths building (probably won't mean much to you unless you go to UQ  ) have it set up so every second bikes front wheel is raised so that where usually the handle bars of the two bikes would get in each others way, the 2nd bikes are up above and easily out of the way. Last I heard UQ is also putting in some showers and change rooms in a few buildings close to where bike storage areas like this are so that people are less smelly.

But I agree, it doesn't take much to put something in, and you have then opened up a whole new market of people who can use PT.

[#Metro]

Not familiar, but I agree, some proper bike racks that don't look like something horrible.
And a map of the station surrounds at the station like the busway has! 
The racks outside Brisbane Square are good. And simple.


http://www.titanfab.net/images/bicycle-racks.JPG


http://www.jpkbollards.com.au/Bike%20Rack%202.jpg


http://www.wechealthunit.org/healthy-living/physical-activity/images/bike-rack.jpg


http://bostonbiker.org/files/2008/03/bike-rack-480.jpg


http://www.cycle-safe.com/UserFiles/Image/Rack-GRLibLg.jpg

[Golliwog]

Don't know what the Brisbane square ones look like, but the ones in your 2nd picture are what I was talking about

[longboi]

Not sure if it was mentioned here but there were some QUT students who came up with a very efficent 'end of trip' facility complete with showers and room for 28 bikes (and only the size of a car parking space  )

http://www.pushbikeparking.com/green-pod

Would be relatively easy to roll out at major stops/interchanges.

[Golliwog]

Yeah, Ozbob mentioned those in another thread somewhere. I like those, but the way they are designed is to cater for those who would be riding longer distances and would need a shower afterwards. There are many who could ride a short distance to a station and all they need is a convenient place to secure their bike. I'm not opposed to the greenpod, but I think in a way it would be a waste of space to put just those out to cater for cyclists as IMO not everyone would be using the shower facilities so they would be taking up space which could be used for more bikes.

[#Metro]

Simple is good. There could be a level of services.
Normal suburban stations could get a bicycle rack. A proper, decent looking one!!! The blue boxes aren't that effective IMHO.
But for larger stations, I would support strongly the idea of the green pod
(or better still the larger one they have, the bike shower and locker unit) which is bigger and can take 28 bicycles.

Bike-Rail interchanges! Things like this could at major stations on the network:
Northgate
Caboolture
Bowen Hills
Enoggera
Park Road
Buranda TOD
etc...

On the other hand, many of these improvements are going to be next to useless
- the train frequency is too low for people to want to go to the train station in the first place!

[#Metro]

Well, after suggesting bicycle cages... guess what I've stumbled upon? Perth Again!!!
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/images/cycling_bikehubs2.jpg

Bike hubs are secure compounds that are locked to the public between 9am and 3pm. Bike hubs can be found at the following suburban train stations:

   * Armadale

   * Greenwood

   * Murdoch

   * Bull Creek

   * Cockburn

   * Kwinana

   * Wellard

   * Rockingham

   * Warnbro

   * Mandurah

People who wish to use these facilities must also use a good quality lock to secure their bicycles in the compound area.

[Golliwog]

I think thats a bit ridiculous. What happens if I want to get my bike out between 9am and 3pm when its locked up? I kinda like the structure, but you can fit more bikes in an area that size.

[#Metro]

I kinda like the structure, but you can fit more bikes in an area that size.

You could, if it were open air. But that has to be balanced against many people hesitating to park their bike because it might be vandalised. Using different bike racks than the U-pole, you might be able to fit more bikes in.

I think thats a bit ridiculous. What happens if I want to get my bike out between 9am and 3pm when its locked up?

Good question. I too have a problem with the 9-3 thing.
It should just be registered go card holders who can access it. Swipe and Bike!!!
Put the entrance under CCTV and voila!

Bikes have good potential to become feeders to rail. In Amsterdam, the have had to build a multi-story bicycle park...

[justanotheruser]

Well, after suggesting bicycle cages... guess what I've stumbled upon? Perth Again!!!
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/images/cycling_bikehubs2.jpg

they have something like this at the west end citycat wharf and bus stop. Has been there for years. It is accessed by a swipe card/key. It is the only one I am aware of. Guess it was designed for west end residents who wanted to jump on the citycat and go to uni at St Lucia I think. Of course there is more of a cycling culture at west end. This may not have been taken up further because of poor patronage or some other reason. I don't actually know.

[#Metro]

They don't use it because it is not integrated properly.
Nobody is going to bother filling out forms just to access a bike cage or pay fees.

[p858snake]

Well, after suggesting bicycle cages... guess what I've stumbled upon? Perth Again!!!
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/images/cycling_bikehubs2.jpg

they have something like this at the west end citycat wharf and bus stop. Has been there for years. It is accessed by a swipe card/key. It is the only one I am aware of. Guess it was designed for west end residents who wanted to jump on the citycat and go to uni at St Lucia I think. Of course there is more of a cycling culture at west end. This may not have been taken up further because of poor patronage or some other reason. I don't actually know.

Chermside interchange also has one.

[justanotheruser]

I kinda like the structure, but you can fit more bikes in an area that size.

You could, if it were open air. But that has to be balanced against many people hesitating to park their bike because it might be vandalised. Using different bike racks than the U-pole, you might be able to fit more bikes in.

I think thats a bit ridiculous. What happens if I want to get my bike out between 9am and 3pm when its locked up?

Good question. I too have a problem with the 9-3 thing.
It should just be registered go card holders who can access it. Swipe and Bike!!!
Put the entrance under CCTV and voila!

whu registered go card users? Why not any go card user?

[ButFli]

I kinda like the structure, but you can fit more bikes in an area that size.

You could, if it were open air. But that has to be balanced against many people hesitating to park their bike because it might be vandalised. Using different bike racks than the U-pole, you might be able to fit more bikes in.

I think thats a bit ridiculous. What happens if I want to get my bike out between 9am and 3pm when its locked up?

Good question. I too have a problem with the 9-3 thing.
It should just be registered go card holders who can access it. Swipe and Bike!!!
Put the entrance under CCTV and voila!

whu registered go card users? Why not any go card user?

The idea behind registered-Go Card- users-only is that if a bike is damaged or stolen, CCTV footage can be reviewed to determine what time it occurred and this can be matched up with the records of which Go Cards were used to access the compound. Then the police could go and arrest the registered Go Card user. Of course that assumes the Police have the time or inclination to go to all that effort to apprehend and prosecute someone who vandalised a bike. It also assumes that the community will be comfortable with Police having access to Go Card records to investigate a stolen or damaged bike when the community have demonstrated that they are very uncomfortable with the Police using the same information to investigate a murder.

[justanotheruser]

I kinda like the structure, but you can fit more bikes in an area that size.

You could, if it were open air. But that has to be balanced against many people hesitating to park their bike because it might be vandalised. Using different bike racks than the U-pole, you might be able to fit more bikes in.

I think thats a bit ridiculous. What happens if I want to get my bike out between 9am and 3pm when its locked up?

Good question. I too have a problem with the 9-3 thing.
It should just be registered go card holders who can access it. Swipe and Bike!!!
Put the entrance under CCTV and voila!

whu registered go card users? Why not any go card user?

The idea behind registered-Go Card- users-only is that if a bike is damaged or stolen, CCTV footage can be reviewed to determine what time it occurred and this can be matched up with the records of which Go Cards were used to access the compound. Then the police could go and arrest the registered Go Card user. Of course that assumes the Police have the time or inclination to go to all that effort to apprehend and prosecute someone who vandalised a bike. It also assumes that the community will be comfortable with Police having access to Go Card records to investigate a stolen or damaged bike when the community have demonstrated that they are very uncomfortable with the Police using the same information to investigate a murder.

I didn't see the whole story but my understanding is that the police were using the information as a fishing trip rather than specific person. Same as a warrant needs to be served with specific details police should be asking for specific persons details not general. Thanks for the response though.

[Golliwog]

I disagree, I don't see whats wrong with them asking for a list of who got off at a certain stop or went through around a certain time to contact as possible witnesses. You also say they should be asking for specific people, but how often does the guy mugging you stop to give you his name and contact details? Yes it is a bit invasive, but the way I see it, its just a slightly more high-tech version of posting up a note saying "A person was mugged at this time and location, if you saw anything please contact Crimestoppers" instead they give those who they know where in the area at the right time a call.

[justanotheruser]

I disagree, I don't see whats wrong with them asking for a list of who got off at a certain stop or went through around a certain time to contact as possible witnesses. You also say they should be asking for specific people, but how often does the guy mugging you stop to give you his name and contact details? Yes it is a bit invasive, but the way I see it, its just a slightly more high-tech version of posting up a note saying "A person was mugged at this time and location, if you saw anything please contact Crimestoppers" instead they give those who they know where in the area at the right time a call.

I do realise muggers don't stop and give you their personal details. It is the same as in a mugging elsewhere they have methods of attempting to identify the person. Now if the person was seen on camera at a train station swiping a go card I have no problems with the police saying we want that persons name. However just saying we want the names of all 200 people who passed through this station in this time frame I can't agree with. One needs to remember one is not obliged to help the police as a witness. I have been in a place where the police asked if they could look at our cameras and from that discoverd the people went to the train station so they went to look at those cameras.

If I had a choice in registering my go card then I would see things a bit differently but you I was not given a choice as they will not transfer money from one card to another unless it is registered. I believe to get a refund the card must also be registered. So if you are overcharged through no fault of your own you have to get the card registered to get your money back.

[colinw]

Gold Coast Bulletin - Ride on time with Coast light rail - click here.

Main Gold Coast Light Rail Thread:
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=546.0

[justanotheruser]

They don't use it because it is not integrated properly.
Nobody is going to bother filling out forms just to access a bike cage or pay fees.

just had a further thought on this. People seem happy enough to fill out forms at the moment. So why would that be a reason that people wouldn't want to do that at the west end wharf?

[freman]

I'm sure I'm in the wrong place but...

A little back story: I've been waiting 12 months (to the day hehe) for a bike locker at Morayfield station.

QR have recently upgraded the Morayfield station carpark, it's now almost twice it's previous size. I've noticed that the carparks along the fence line aren't very popular with drivers... Perhaps it would be a good idea to upgrade those spots to bike lockers...

Question is, who do I call/write to, I have little to no faith in Translink...

[#Metro]

 

Your local Member
TransLink
The Minister for Transport
QR

(maybe best place to start is TL)

[Stillwater]

Write a letter to the Minister.  Letters to the Minister are answered usually within 4-5 weeks.

Ms Rachel Nolan MP
Queensland Minister for Transport
GPO Box 2644
Brisbane
Qld 4001

[longboi]

Talk to the station staff?

[johnnigh]

What station staff 
Even Corinda station's ticket window was locked late this morning when I walked past. Ditto on the weekend, but that might be more understandable.

[longboi]

Weird. Unless things have changed due to Richlands, Corinda has some managers working there which means its open first-last train 7 days a week.

[justanotheruser]

Weird. Unless things have changed due to Richlands, Corinda has some managers working there which means its open first-last train 7 days a week.

or it could have been a one off or somebody on holiday for a week and they have had trouble hgetting replacements. Apparently under terms of contract with translink they are only obligated to have someone there till 9:30am

[longboi]

True but generally there are 2-4 staff there during the day.

[Golliwog]

Just found this on the Translink website.

Bicycle facilities
We are making it easy to include cycling in your journey by installing safe, convenient and secure bicycle facilities at selected bus and train stations across our public transport network.

Bicycle facilities offer greater flexibility as you can cycle to a station and securely park your bicycle before continuing your journey on public transport.

New facilities being implemented at stations include:

•bicycle lockers and enclosures (bookings required)
•improved access to public transport services, such as pathways.

It goes on to list bus and rail stations that have bike facilities available, as well as future stations that will (mostly park n' rides). Something I find interesting is it only seems to take into account bike facilities that are provided by Translink/QR/etc. For example UQ Lakes isn't up there but there are racks provided at the Green Bridge end of the station by the university. Similarly IIRC theres an old bike rack at the Brookside interchange that I think was provided by the shopping center?

[#Metro]

TransLink has been listening! Good on them 

[#Metro]

Bicycle-PT integration
Feed me! :bi  :bi  :bi  :bi  :bi
Feed me! :bi  :bi  :bi  :bi  :bi

Integrating Bicycling and Public Transport in North America

This paper provides an overview of bike-transit integration in large American and Canadian cities. It begins with an analysis of national trends in bike-and-ride pro- grams such as the provision of bike racks on buses, accommodation of bikes on rail vehicles, and bike parking at rail stations and bus stops. Most of the paper, however, is devoted to case studies of bike-transit integration in six large American cities (San Francisco, Portland, Minneapolis, Chicago, Washington, and New York) and two Canadian cities (Vancouver and Toronto). Much progress has been made over the past decade in coordinating cycling with public transport, but the demand for bike- and-ride far exceeds the supply of facilities in some cities. More funding, in particular, is needed to provide more secure, sheltered bike parking at rail stations and to increase bike-carrying capacity on rail vehicles.

Look at the BART station picture on p86!

While there should be some space on vehicles for the odd bike, too many will require an entire new vehicle just to carry the
bikes- so best left at the stop/station.

http://policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/pucher/PUCHER_BUEHLER.pdf

[KCSHB]

Translink has put up 4 cages at Bray Park, Bald Hills, Ormiston and Morayfield I think. not sure if they are up and running yet. and is card access with security and lighting.

[#Metro]

Hello!

That's great news! Card access by GoCard or a separate swipecard?

Hopefully the frequent stations like Park road, Northgate, Coopers Plains, Bowen Hills etc can be selectively targeted.

[Stillwater]

Sunshine Coast Regional Council to trial carrying bicycles on buses.  See page 28
http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/addfiles/documents/opof/transport/sc_active_transport_plan_1113.pdf

[justanotheruser]

Hello!

That's great news! Card access by GoCard or a separate swipecard?

Hopefully the frequent stations like Park road, Northgate, Coopers Plains, Bowen Hills etc can be selectively targeted.

is there space at bowen hills? It has been a long time since i've been there but I don't remember much space to spare.

[KCSHB]

At the moment its a seperate QR fob. not the translink gocard. don't see why this cannot be a gocard as the technology is so simple and rfid smart cards have simple technology that can be used to validate easily. 

[nitramluap]

This is how you integrate cycling with trains!

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5836.0

Oh, I wish we had this sort of foresight here...

[#Metro]

http://www.transport.act.gov.au/bike_and_ride.html