CHAPTER 8 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC BIKE SHARE MULTI-MODAL TRIPS: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Most transit trips – bus and rail – in Cambridge The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority begin or end with a walk or bike ride. Improving (MBTA) is the transit agency serving Cambridge links between biking and transit benefits people and Greater Boston, operating five rapid-transit who use both modes and progresses the City’s lines, commuter rail, commuter ferry, and many bus transportation and sustainability goals in a number routes throughout the region. of ways: The City also works to improve bicycle and transit + Bicycling increases the distance people can integration, such as improving roads for biking, travel to transit stations, so better bicycle providing additional bike parking on public property connections expand the number of people near transit stations, and siting bike share stations in who have access to and from transit—a close proximity to transit stations. solution to the so-called “first and last mile problems.” + Bicycle-on-transit services give people who bike the option to take transit for part of their trip to avoid riding after dark or in areas that are not comfortable to bike. Being able to take a bike on transit can also serve as a contingency plan in the event of poor weather, mechanical issues, or needing to get home quickly in an emergency. 1 + Integrating bicycling and transit supports the Bikes loaded onto MBTA buses. goals of increasing sustainable transportation options, decreasing single-occupancy vehicle use, and reducing negative impacts of climate change emissions, air pollution, and congestion. These benefits help communities support sustainable travel and make transportation systems work more efficiently. As a result, bicycle and transit integration has become increasingly common. Transit agencies can support integration in a number of ways, including having bicycle racks on buses, allowing bicycles on trains and boats, installing secure bicycle racks and lockers Bike CharlieCards allow users to access Pedal & Park stations. at transit stations, and providing space for bike share (Bluebikes) stations and valet services (bike share valet services are provided during peak travel periods, to ensure that people can drop off or pick up a bike at key destinations). Cambridge Bicycle Plan, 2020 Chapter 8 Public Transportation and Public Bike Share 8 - 2 BICYCLES ON THE MBTA PARKING AT TRANSIT STATIONS The MBTA provides some form of bike transport on In Cambridge, outdoor bicycle racks are located most of its vehicles: at all MBTA subway stations. At select high-traffic stations the MBTA provides “Pedal and Park” + Folding bikes are allowed on all transit facilities, which are secure, enclosed parking areas behicles when folded. for 50-150 bikes. The Pedal and Park facilities are monitored by surveillance cameras and have + Almost all MBTA buses have racks to carry controlled door access. In Cambridge, Alewife two or three bicycles on the front of the bus. Station at the end of the Red Line has three Pedal and Park facilities, each accommodating up to 150 + Bikes are allowed on the Red, Orange, and bikes. As part of the construction of the Green Line Blue Lines, except during peak commuting Extension to Somerville and Medford, the future hours. Bikes are not allowed on the platforms Lechmere Station on the Green Line will also have a of the Park Street, Government Center, and Pedal and Park facility. Downtown Crossing stations. CharlieCard holders can use the Pedal and Park + Bikes are allowed on the Commuter Rail facilities for free by registering their CharlieCard most of the time, except when noted on the online at https://www.mbta.com/bikes. The schedule. The Newburyport/Rockport and CharlieCard is the reusable fare card for MBTA Cape Flyer lines have bike storage cars on buses and subways, and they are available at certain trains during the summer. select subway and bus stations. In Cambridge, + Bikes are allowed on commuter ferries at all CharlieCards are available at the Alewife and times. Harvard Stations. For more information about CharlieCards and where to get one, visit https:// For full rules and tips for bringing bikes on the www.mbta.com/fares/charliecard. MBTA, visit https://www.mbta.com/bikes. Pedal & Park at Alewife MBTA Station Cambridge Bicycle Plan, 2020 Chapter 8 Public Transportation and Public Bike Share 8 - 3 IMPROVING BIKE ACCESS TO BIKE SHARE TRANSIT Bike share is a public transportation system for As the MBTA makes changes and improvements bikes and enables people to borrow a bike for the to their public transit vehicles and facilities, the City length of time that they need it. Nationwide, most of Cambridge will continue to pursue opportunities bike share systems are station-based, with stations to make the system friendlier to people with located throughout the service region. People can bicycles. Future infrastructure improvements borrow a bike from one station and return to it any could include better bike storage on vehicles, low- station in the system. There are several options for floor buses, more widespread elevator access, using bike share: typically, memberships may be and stair channels, which are grooves along the annual or monthly and those riding infrequently or edge of a stairway for rolling bikes up and down. using a system as a visitor or tourist may be able to Policy changes, such as expanding the hours when buy a single ride or a time-limited multi-ride pass. bikes can be brought on transit, can complement infrastructure improvements and further enhance Bike share is great for different kinds of bike access. transportation needs, including commutes and point-to-point trips, one-way bike trips, and exploration for locals and visitors. One of the many advantages of bike share compared to transit systems is the relative ease and flexibility of placing new stations in areas of high demand, as well as near transit stations. This flexibility makes bike share an effective way to connect people to a bus or train for longer trips. Stair channels allow people to easily roll their bicycles Bluebikes stations are located near key destinations up and down stairs. such as parks and in convenient places for people to access from their homes. Cambridge Bicycle Plan, 2020 Chapter 8 Public Transportation and Public Bike Share 8 - 4 Another advantage of bike share is that it eliminates many of the barriers associated with bike ownership, At my house, there’s no storage. Well there’s making biking more accessible and encouraging storage for bikes, but it’s outside. So, the new riders. Below are some of the benefits of bike Bluebikes is super convenient for us... share. – Cambridge Bicycle Conversations Participant + Low-cost option for those who don’t own a bike or can’t afford a bike. The value of bike share systems is evidenced by + Eliminates the need for bike maintenance and their growing popularity. In 2019, approximately repair. 50 million bike share trips were taken in the United States, up from 22 million in 2015 and 321,000 in + Eliminates the need for bike storage. 2010.2 + No worrying about bike theft or damage. + Bikes come equipped with safety and comfort features, like lights, bells, baskets, and fenders. + More return-trip flexibility in the event of bad weather or change of plans. + Convenient and flexible way to explore and make spontaneous trips. Cambridge Bicycle Plan, 2020 Chapter 8 Public Transportation and Public Bike Share 8 - 5 BLUEBIKES: GREATER BOSTON’S BIKE SHARE As a senior citizen and Cambridge resident, I am a daily user of the Bluebikes…I rely on Bluebikes is the regional bike share system the bikes for my activities of daily living: for Greater Boston, providing service in 11 errands, shopping, medical appointments, municipalities and approximately 400 stations. and frequent visits with my 91-year-old Established in 2011 as Hubway, the original system mother who lives 3 miles from my Central Square apartment. I get plenty of exercise had stations throughout Boston, Cambridge, this way…I love the feeling when my leg Somerville, and Brookline. The system was renamed muscles reach that threshold of being in Bluebikes in 2018 when Blue Cross Blue Shield “bike shape” and I am able to manage hills (BCBS) of Massachusetts became the title sponsor, and inclines without getting winded…I am supporting system growth and accessibility, grateful for the program, as owning a bike including system upgrades and marketing. Since would be problematic for me in terms of then, the system has continued to grow the number storage issues and bike maintenance costs, of stations in the original four municipalities and which I can’t afford, together with my lack of expanded to Everett, Arlington, Chelsea, Revere, mechanical aptitude…I love that the program Newton, and Watertown. In the summer of 2021, keeps my stats, and I was pleased to learn Bluebikes will launch in Salem, and there are that I have made 545 trips, traveled a total additional municipalities in negotiation. Bluebikes distance of more than 1,500 miles, and is owned by the municipalities it operates within, saved 66 gallons of gas and 1,290 lbs. of and they contract with an operator to manage CO2 emissions. operations. The system is fully integrated amongst – Paul, Healthy Aging and Cycling program the participating municipalities, so users can borrow participant and return bikes across municipal boundaries. In addition to sponsorship from BCBS of MA, funding for Bluebikes is provided through a combination of municipal funds, developer mitigation, and private sponsorships and donations (the initial launch of the system in 2011-2012 also included federal and state grants). In Cambridge, a number of organizations have donated stations, including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), CambridgeSide, Museum of Science/Barr Foundation, BioMed Realty, Biogen, Verizon, EF/Education First, and Alexandria Real Estate, and many other stations have been added as part of development projects.