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Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Fold ‘N’
Go Metro
Folding Bikes on Transit A Personal Pilot Project
Dave Sotero
Sr. Public Information Officer
Transportation Demand Management Technology & Innovation SymposiumFebruary 5, 2009
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The Problem
Transit Vehicles•
Record ridership
on all lines•
New capacity constraints
•
Bus bike racks full•
Peak hour bike restrictions
Metrolink
bike usage exceeds capacity
Page 3
The Problem
Transit Stations•
Insufficient bike racks/lockers at stations
•
Waiting list for bike lockers
•
Full park & ride lots
Bike rack at North Hollywood
Metro Red Line Station
Page 4
The Solution
•
Adds capacity to system without additional operating costs
•
Solves First Mile/Last Mile problem•
No lost seats
•
No bikes sent to lost and found•
Folds in 30 seconds or less
•
Increases safety –
no flying bike projectiles•
No dedicated bike trains needed
•
Promotes urban livability
Innovative demand management strategy
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Metro Objective
Strike a delicate balance between encouraging increased bicycle use on the Metro system while accommodating increased passenger ridership.
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The New Space Premium
Small footprint•
Typically a quarter the size of full-
sized bikes•
Easy cubicle storage creates new definition for “bike to work”
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Regular-Sized Bikes on Transit
•
Bikes block aisle ways
•
Create safety hazards
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The Benefit of the 16”
Wheel
•
‘Our 16" wheel folding bikes are designed to be light and ultra compact when folded. That makes them ideal for commuters who use public transport
because they need to fold and carry
their bikes several times a day. Choose a 16" model if compact folded size is your primary concern.’
--
Dahon
web site
16”
Wheel 20”
Wheel 26”
Wheel Source: Dahon
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Bike Placement Options: Red Line
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Bike Placement Options: Gold/Green Line
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Bike Placement Options: Bus
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Bike Placement Options: Orange Line
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Bike Placement Options: Metrolink
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Bike Placement Options: LADOT
Commuter Express DASH
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When All Else Fails…
•
Fits on lap when transit vehicles are at standing room-only loads.
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Folding Bike Adoption Barriers
•
Represent 1% of current bicycle market
•
Higher cost than regular bikes
•
Less gears than regular 10-speed bike
•
Perceived performance limitations
•
Limited but growing public visibility
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Folding Bike Prices
•
Low-End: $164 “Tokyo”
Citizen
Bike•
Mid-End: $529 Dahon
Curve
•
High-End: $1200 Brompton
M6L
A product for every price range
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Implementation Concepts
•
Bike purchase subsidy
•
Trade-up program swaps out regular bikes used for transit
•
Demonstration Program
•
Marketing campaigns
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Recommended Folding Bike Specification
•
Must be able to serve diverse commute profiles
•
Lightest weight
•
16”
Wheel
•
Front and rear mudguards, rear rack
•
High and Low gearing
•
Less than 30 seconds to fold/unfold
•
Ability to fit Pannier bag
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Growing Transit Agency Support
•
Santa Cruz County
•
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
•
Toronto Go Transit
•
Caltrain
•
Metro
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Metro Folding Bike Implementation Plan
•
$85,000 Caltrans
Grant, requires 20% match
•
Countywide Program
•
Partnership with Weststart/CALSTART
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Growing Public Acceptance
Fold ‘N’ Go Metro!