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"
The RTS May 18, 2011 12:25 PM
May 18, 2011 12:29 PM
Izzatso May 18, 2011 12:38 PM
redesigns, even in the light of DECREASED traffic patterns happening.
I've mounted my bike a fair number of times and seen bikes even more,
just on the 3 routes that I use. Peering at busses during your commute
tells you very little about what has happened on that route (even during
that run.)
I've spent about $100 on gas since Sept 2010 on in-and-around-town
use. And, about double that on bus tickets.
All the rest is bike.....
I'm very thankful that the county put them on there. Thank you,
supporters on the County Board, and thank you Bicycle Federation who
help promote these kind of things for me as a bicyclist. :)
MKE4ever May 18, 2011 12:41 PM
bikes per day verified math from page 1 comments, so a bike every 3.48
days, or 2 bikes in 7)
I was in Phoenix not long ago, empty bike racks there as well.
And less than a handful of light rail users. Light rail really takes up a lot of
road real estate people, and is often using about 2 lanes between the
tracks and sidewalks. Fun to negotiate the roads that have them for
turning etc
Mad Myche May 18, 2011 12:43 PM
He is obviously not driving along KK on the 15 or on the 11 lines. I rarely see a bus without a bike on it here. Other areas, I would not be surprised if rarely used, but go to the east side and bayview and you will see many, many bikes on these buses. They have proven valuable to me, personally, as I had many flats over the winter and was able to just hop on the bus and get home without the bike.
Convinced of the Hex May 18, 2011 12:44 PM
also then possible that they are not recording instances of use to deflate
the numbers.
RY19 May 18, 2011 12:47 PM
The trend is people want to be healthier, this promotes a healthier lifestyle & is more environmentally friendly than driving everywhere.
Most people complaining are probably out of shape and don't even own a bike.
Thank you MCTS & Bike Federation for the bike racks! It's a great investment in our city!
mkegurl May 18, 2011 12:58 PM
even the Route 21, waiting to make a right turn while a bus passenger either
put their bikes on or took them off one of the racks. People do utilizes them,
maybe not to the tune of 100,000 users a year, but they do use them.
URKMe IV A New Hope May 18, 2011 12:59 PM
beadhead May 18, 2011 1:03 PM
eastsideB May 18, 2011 1:03 PM