Connecting Bikes, Trains, Buses

Studies show that people ride bikes more frequently if they can easily transfer to public transit to cover long distances or to dodge inclement weather. That’s why the Dutch have invested heavily in providing secure bike parking close to train stations across the country.

Many American cities have now installed bike racks on the front of buses, and also make it easier to bring them on trains. In Minneapolis-St. Paul, for example, all buses, light rail and commuter trains will carry your bike.

(left) Combining bike trips with transit is a key function of a successful transportation system, and many American cities have made improvements for carrying bikes on public transit, like this light rail line in Minneapolis.

Solving the ‘last mile’ problem

Public transit doesn’t always get you exactly where you need to go, but it can almost always get you close. To help passengers travel that last mile from where the train or bus stops to where they need to be, the Dutch national rail transit agency launched its own bike sharing program. For a low daily or hourly fee, you can pick up a bike at a station to ride to your destination and back, then return it before catching the next train home.






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