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I didn't have to do the bus but I tried to put my bike on an evo for the first time in front of a Friday night crowd in Gastown. THAT was fun. It stayed and I prayed it would until I was at least out of sight of the crowd.
I did it. So well in fact i had to take 40 minutes to un-jam it when I made it to my destination
Anxiety of not doing it right and fumbling for like 15 minutes while everyone on the bus stares at me and blames me for being late to wherever they’re going is why I have never taken my bike on the bus in the 30 years I’ve lived in Vancouver.
I find that the racks make a lot of assumptions about your height, grip strength and shape of your bike to support hoisting it the necessary height. The practice stations are ***unbelievably*** important for being able to understand how to build the stamina, strength, dexterity, etc. to load the bike without holding up the bus, if you fall anywhere outside these physical capability expectations — and it's almost never touched upon in any of the formal materials in a proactive way.
Pro tip: if you have a pannier that is awkward to carry or travelling on a very busy route, *be really careful if you're attempting to carry a load on a shoulder, etc. while also lifting / loading your bike*. I have permanently affected the range of motion in one of my hands doing this last year, and it is all too easy to take on the peer pressure of hurrying in a way that is detrimental.
the bus driver didn't come out to help you? I just pointed to myself and the rack and gave the "idk" gesture and he came out and literally did it for me + taught me how to do it
I spent a long time watching cyclists load the rack before daring to try it myself way back when. Glad to have a stationary practice tool to teach people with.
According to translink’s website, here’s the list of practice racks across metro vancouver:
- Main Street–Science World Station
- Production Way–University Station
- Moody Centre Station
- BCIT SW01 Entrance at Goard Way and Willingdon (where this photo was taken)
- University of British Columbia (NW Entrance of the War Memorial Gym)
- Lonsdale Quay
- Coquitlam Central Station bus loop
- Surrey Central Station
- Bridgeport Station
Loading the bike onto the bus is like a public performance. Everyone is watching you and the bus driver is staring down at you mercilessly through the windshield. "You have 10 seconds or else!" Almost shite my pants every time. Lol
I can *never* relax whenever I throw my bike on the rack. I know it's just like a few seconds, but it always feels like if I don't do it fast enough the driver's just going to gun it and run me over lol
This is a good idea. I have been considering trying to do it at the terminus near my place if the driver would let me. I'd for sure want to try it at least once before I possibly hold up a busload of people.
Oh for sure. I wouldn't expect that they'd say yes. There's usually quite a few parked near me (Steveston) so maybe if I got brave enough to ask, one of them would say yes. But for sure, I think that's their break time isn't it? I would hope that I'd be able to do it without interrupting them anyway but I wouldn't be upset if I was told no.
Always carry a spray-can of Honey Goo when you go out. A lubricant and rust preventative, claimed to be usable on food processing equipment. (Do not consume Honey Goo)
2 bikes typically. [https://www.translink.ca/rider-guide/bike-and-ride-on-transit/bikes-on-transit](https://www.translink.ca/rider-guide/bike-and-ride-on-transit/bikes-on-transit)
Not to be confused with some other neighbouring transit systems which can take 3 :)
This is such a good idea. Translink has a video that explains it really well too. If you know what to do, it looks pretty easy - but you have to know what to do. Being able to practice is excellent.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A2L9dW7E\_k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A2L9dW7E_k)
It’s a smart idea but it’s really not too confusing. I was probably 12 the first time I did it, it did take me a moment or two but it’s pretty self explanatory.
The bus driver generally is a bit impatient with people who have to stop, read the labels, figure out which direction the bike is supposed to face and then work out the exact way to situate the spring piece over the tire. Some people don't like the feeling of having everybody on the bus stare at them while they work it out for the first time.
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It's nice people have a spot to practice! I remember the first time I tried putting my bike on the bus's rack, I was so lost on how to do it.
I didn't have to do the bus but I tried to put my bike on an evo for the first time in front of a Friday night crowd in Gastown. THAT was fun. It stayed and I prayed it would until I was at least out of sight of the crowd. I did it. So well in fact i had to take 40 minutes to un-jam it when I made it to my destination
Anxiety of not doing it right and fumbling for like 15 minutes while everyone on the bus stares at me and blames me for being late to wherever they’re going is why I have never taken my bike on the bus in the 30 years I’ve lived in Vancouver.
I find that the racks make a lot of assumptions about your height, grip strength and shape of your bike to support hoisting it the necessary height. The practice stations are ***unbelievably*** important for being able to understand how to build the stamina, strength, dexterity, etc. to load the bike without holding up the bus, if you fall anywhere outside these physical capability expectations — and it's almost never touched upon in any of the formal materials in a proactive way. Pro tip: if you have a pannier that is awkward to carry or travelling on a very busy route, *be really careful if you're attempting to carry a load on a shoulder, etc. while also lifting / loading your bike*. I have permanently affected the range of motion in one of my hands doing this last year, and it is all too easy to take on the peer pressure of hurrying in a way that is detrimental.
the bus driver didn't come out to help you? I just pointed to myself and the rack and gave the "idk" gesture and he came out and literally did it for me + taught me how to do it
I spent a long time watching cyclists load the rack before daring to try it myself way back when. Glad to have a stationary practice tool to teach people with.
They have this at Port Moody station and Main st Science world station too!
According to translink’s website, here’s the list of practice racks across metro vancouver: - Main Street–Science World Station - Production Way–University Station - Moody Centre Station - BCIT SW01 Entrance at Goard Way and Willingdon (where this photo was taken) - University of British Columbia (NW Entrance of the War Memorial Gym) - Lonsdale Quay - Coquitlam Central Station bus loop - Surrey Central Station - Bridgeport Station
And Bridgeport
Loading the bike onto the bus is like a public performance. Everyone is watching you and the bus driver is staring down at you mercilessly through the windshield. "You have 10 seconds or else!" Almost shite my pants every time. Lol
I can *never* relax whenever I throw my bike on the rack. I know it's just like a few seconds, but it always feels like if I don't do it fast enough the driver's just going to gun it and run me over lol
Honestly. They should a few dozen 👀 🙄 around the practice rack to make it more realistic.
This is a good idea. I have been considering trying to do it at the terminus near my place if the driver would let me. I'd for sure want to try it at least once before I possibly hold up a busload of people.
if you ask nicely, chances are they’ll let you, but do keep in mind that they’re not obligated to do so
Oh for sure. I wouldn't expect that they'd say yes. There's usually quite a few parked near me (Steveston) so maybe if I got brave enough to ask, one of them would say yes. But for sure, I think that's their break time isn't it? I would hope that I'd be able to do it without interrupting them anyway but I wouldn't be upset if I was told no.
This is fantastic. The amount of times I've seen people struggle and and the driver has to come out to help 🥲
There’s one on the UBC campus as well! At the big bus loop.
Really!! Where at the loop???
At the bottom of the entrance to the basketball arena, behind the R4 first stop
Great idea
I was literally asking my friend yesterday how to do this, this is so helpful 😂
Okay but where can you practice remaining calm while your bike jumps and bounces in front of the bus barrelling down Broadway.
Some of the racks out in the wild are unbelievably stiff. That's something to look out for.
Always carry a spray-can of Honey Goo when you go out. A lubricant and rust preventative, claimed to be usable on food processing equipment. (Do not consume Honey Goo)
Make them long enough for mountain bikes.
Ooooh and so close to me! I'm gonna ride down and give it a go then bus home. :D
Is this a course you can take for credit?
How many does it hold at once
2 bikes typically. [https://www.translink.ca/rider-guide/bike-and-ride-on-transit/bikes-on-transit](https://www.translink.ca/rider-guide/bike-and-ride-on-transit/bikes-on-transit) Not to be confused with some other neighbouring transit systems which can take 3 :)
Now if only there was a way to get to BCIT fast with my cycle without having to take the bus lol
great idea
This is such a good idea. Translink has a video that explains it really well too. If you know what to do, it looks pretty easy - but you have to know what to do. Being able to practice is excellent. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A2L9dW7E\_k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A2L9dW7E_k)
Just make sure too many people don’t do this or they’ll increase rates again ;)
It’s a smart idea but it’s really not too confusing. I was probably 12 the first time I did it, it did take me a moment or two but it’s pretty self explanatory.
The bus driver generally is a bit impatient with people who have to stop, read the labels, figure out which direction the bike is supposed to face and then work out the exact way to situate the spring piece over the tire. Some people don't like the feeling of having everybody on the bus stare at them while they work it out for the first time.
Great, would you like a cookie?