Bike rack use increases on Milwaukee County buses
Recent blog posts about bikers on the Hoan Bridge and a cut in state money for bike and pedestrian projects generated several comments questioning the use of bike racks on Milwaukee County Transit System buses.
To a number of readers, the racks installed in 2009 remain a boondoggle: seldom-used and a waste of the $405,000 it cost to install them on more than 460 buses.
One reader asserted that “virtually no one” uses the racks.
I promised to produce figures to address that point, and here they are.
According to the Milwaukee County Transit System, bus drivers recorded 47,995 instances where bus passengers used the racks in 2010.
That fell short of the 100,000 projected by the transit system, and the 200,000 estimated by the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, during the debate that preceded the purchase of the racks.
Use has increased significantly so far in 2011.
Through the first four months of the year, MCTS drivers counted 12,695 bikes on buses.
That’s double the number – 6,184 - in the first four months of 2010. The monthly average so far in 2011 is 3,173, compared to 1,546 through April 2010.
In month-to-month comparisons, the usage this year has been roughly double the 2010 figures, a trend that could put the total for 2011 close to the 100,000 figure estimated by MCTS.
Last year, the usage peaked in August and September.
Milwaukee County Supervisor Mark Borkowski, a steadfast critic of the bike racks, remains skeptical.
“My cursory view of eyeballing buses throughout the days and every now and then I see a bike on a rack.” Borkowski said. “I guess I'm not driving in the right places. Maybe it's time for your paper to do a PolitiFact.”'
Jacqueline Janz, spokeswoman for MCTS, sent this statement:
"We have received a lot of positive feedback from customers who appreciate this program so it is not surprising to see the bike rack usage numbers doubling. This program extends MCTS's reach to additional customers at a time when gas prices are soaring, giving the community an economical alternative."
Janz also pointed out that the usage projection of 100,000 was based on annual bus ridership of 51 million. Ridership on MCTS routes dropped to about 37.5 million in 2010.
Janz also noted that the county used federal grants totaling $384,750 for the racks and MCTS contributed $20,250.
Here are the usage numbers from MCTS:
| 2010 | 2011 | |
| January | 869 | 2,180 |
| February | 889 | 1,804 |
| March | 1,746 | 3,419 |
| April | 2,680 | 5,292 |
| Total | 6,184 | 12,695 |
71 Comments for "Bike rack use increases on Milwaukee County buses"
"Milwaukee County bus ridership sinks further
Milwaukee County drops faster than U.S."
So the majority of bus riders are bike riders? Then again the Journal wrote that Doyle balanced the budget the last time he ran. Believe what you want from this rag..LOL
I work downtown and hardly ever see the bikes on buses. If only we could get the clowns in spandex to obey the traffic laws. They always run stop signs and act like they own the road. I almost hit one after he cut me off and ran a red light, and he acted like he had the right away!
I have to believe these numbers are inflated!
Addios WI May 18, 2011 6:41 PM
OrangeCoat May 18, 2011 9:40 PM
TransitRider May 18, 2011 10:02 PM
Since when does 48,000 (number of 2010 bike rack uses) constitute a majority of 37.5 million (number of 2010 bus riders)?
TransitRider May 18, 2011 10:16 PM
racks will recoup their original costs and supply riders to our buses, folks
who pay their own way. Sure, not at the original estimate but by making
sure people cut off from bus service can find their way to a bus stop on a
bike and spend $4.50 apiece to ride the rest of the way and back. As we
approach 100,000 riders we approach $450,000.
Now, tell me: how do we recoup the cost of the privatization of security
that came out of County Executive's privatization scheme? That will run
into the millions. And there is no payback; it's totally wasted money.
SocratesChildren May 18, 2011 10:37 PM
got a flat. For the first time in history I had an option other than walking this
precious 1985 gem home while it was hobbled, or locking it to an uncertain
fate in a neighborhood that would terrify most of you cosseted commenters.
Instead, I waited at the bus stop, loaded Fuji onto the carrier of the arriving
bus and took my "other ride" home. Later that year, while condemned for a
month to a spare room at a family member's home on Range Line Road while
my Brady Street apartment was readied, I was able to bike to the end of the
bus line and get to my job in the civilized Historic Third Ward. The cost of the
racks is a fraction of what just a few of your commenters unnecessarily spend
on gasoline daily. Thumbs Up!
Michael J Horne May 18, 2011 11:29 PM
While you're at it, why don't you also work on the issue of DRIVERS not obeying the rules of the road as well. At least once every 2 or 3 weeks I almost get hit while crossing the street (walking mind you) with the signal. It's either someone making a right turn just as the light turns green (and the walk signal illuminates) right in front of me, someone making a left turn in front of me while I'm in the crosswalk or the people who just flat out blow red lights. So drop this holier than thou attitude and address the real problem that it's cyclists AND drivers alike that need to learn and obey the rules of the road. And why don't you drop the name calling while you're at it, it just makes you look foolish.
Frylock May 19, 2011 7:57 AM
DarrellG May 19, 2011 8:20 AM
carpediem1003 May 19, 2011 11:34 AM