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How to Run a BikeBus

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About this Document

This document is intended to provide a set of guidelines for the establishment and operation of a BikeBus along a major traffic corridor. Some minor departures from the guidelines may be needed on particular routes.

At the time of writing the North Shore BikeBus had been operating successfully once a week along the Pacific Hwy from Hornsby to the Harbour Bridge Cycleway entrance at Milsons Point for a period of six months. The recommendations contained herein are a reflection of the experience gained by the regular members of that BikeBus.

The Aims of BikeBus

The guiding principle is to encourage more cyclists to commute by providing a safer method of cycling on major routes in peak periods. This must be done in the spirit of sharing the road with other users. Generally a BikeBus is intended only for major multi-lane commuter routes as these are the most direct with the best grades.

In addition to creating a safer cycling envorinment the BikeBus is intended as a positive move to reduce car useage and to promote cycling as a healthy and efficient means of commuting.

Recommendations

1. BikeBus Structure and Operation

At all times the BikeBus will obey the road rules and will cooperate with other road users.

A BikeBus consists of a driver, and conductor and a number of passengers. The group rides 2 abreast with the driver front right and the conductor rear right. A minimum of four cyclists (driver, conductor and 2 passengers) is recommended.

The BikeBus uses one lane, riders being 2 abreast and no less than one bike length back from a preceeding rider.

The Driver's Responsibilities:

To regulate the pace, by use of hand signals and calls, in order to keep the BikeBus together
To make all operational decisions such as stopping at lights, avoiding parked vehicles, changing lanes (merging), overtaking slower vehicles etc.

The Conductor's Responsibilities:

To respond to the driver's request for a merge, signal the merge to following traffic and make the lane change thus allowing the rest of the BikeBus to merge in front.
To stay at the rear of the BikeBus in order to avoid the group being fragmented.

The passengers choose any other position in the BikeBus, but it is recommended that the least experienced riders use a kerbside position and that the slowest rider occupies the position next to the driver. In this way the pace of the BikeBus is most easily regulated by the driver and the more experienced riders create a shield around the less experienced.

Should a BikeBus exceed 12 riders it may be necessary to re-assess the operation. The largest group we have run to date is 10 riders which we found manageable on our route, but in some cases it may be adviseable to divide into 2 smaller buses.

Bus Stops

Passengers may be picked up and alight from the bus at various predetermined points along the route. These points should be publicised so riders can join at the point most convenient. There a 2 ways to pick up a passenger:

The BikeBus pulls off the road to some convenient location where passengers are waiting. The BikeBus then reforms and enters the traffic on the driver's signal.
A moving pickup can be achieved with experienced riders if the intending passenger pulls into the traffic ahead of the approaching BikeBus (which has created a distance of empty lane in front of it). The passenger then rides slowly enough for the BikeBus to catch up and assimilate him/her into the group.

Some good ideas

BikeBus vests should be worn by at least the driver, conductor and the riders next to them.
Mirrors have proved to be a useful addition to a bike or helmet.
Air-horns may prove useful as most other 'bicycle bells' are inaudible to motorists and pedestrians.

A few simple Don'ts

Don't run a BikeBus in wet conditions (even if it is not raining a wet road can create problems). A close formation of riders can be dangerous on slippery roads, communication is more difficult and visibility may be poor.
Don't antogonise motorists.
Don't allow riders with poor bike skills or low fitness levels to ride in the BikeBus. While the aim is to encourage riders to join, the safety and efficiency of the group must be weighed against this.

Dealing with Emergency Vehicles

This situation has not yet been faced by the North Shore BikeBus, so recommending any definitive action is not easy. However in order to minimise danger to the BikeBus riders, and to make sure that the BikeBus allows unhindered passage of an emergency vehicle we recommend the following:

If the emergency vehicle is travelling in the oppostie direction, the BikeBus may not need to take any action, but should be ready to move to the left lane or off teh road altogether should the EV need to cross to the wrong side of the road.
If the emergency Vehilce is in a side street the BikeBus may not need to take any action, but should be ready to move to the left or off the ride in case the EV enters the same road os the BikeBus
If the EV is travelling in the same direction as the BikeBus, the riders, at the discretion of the BikeBus driver, should pull off to the left lane and stop or slow down. This may prove difficult as motorists also must react and may do so without taking much notice of cyclists. If neccesary the BikeBus should leave the road entirely and wait on the footpath until the EV has passed.

Dealing with Aggressive or Abusive Road users

Only on a few occasions has the North Shore BikeBus experienced any abuse or aggressive behaviour from other road users. There would appear to be a correlation between the size of the BikeBus and the likelihood of a problem with a motorist or pedestrian - bigger groups are less likely to be targetted.

To stay calm and collected can be difficult in the heat of the moment should an incident occur. We are all human and get angry. The aim is to practice responsible and polite road use even in the face of stupidity from other road users.

Abusive road users can, and should be ingored by the BikeBus. They are just making a lot of noise, often using strong language, and do not usually pose any safety risk to the BikeBus. A smile and "Have a nice day" would be an appropriate response if one is made at all.

Aggressive drivers or pedestrians can be a threat to the safety of the BikeBus and should be avoided - where possible allow an aggressive driver to pass and get clear of the group even if this seems to be acquiescing to a moron. Should a motorist act in a dangerous way it may be appropriate for someone in the BikeBus to record the vehicle registration and other details and report the incident to the police. Such reports will be taken more serioiusly if witnesses can be provided.

The use of bicycle air-horns should also be considered. Again it is probably only appropriate to use the horn in a situation where safety is the issue. A motorist who is just being offensive or stupid should be ignored.

What action to take (if any) is very much dependant on the circumstances.

In case of mechanical breakdown or accident

Each passenger is responsible for his/her own repairs including punctures. Should a rider sustain a puncture or other mechanical problem the driver will decide if the bus should continue or wait for the repair to be completed.

Should an accident occur ocassioning injury to a rider or other road user the BikeBus will stop and take whatever action is required by the situation. This may involve calling the police and/or ambulance.

2. About the Driver

The driver:

must have extensive experience cycling in peak hour traffic, excellent bike skills and know the route intimately. In addition a new driver should have riden as passenger in a BikeBus and on at least 2 occasions co-driven with an experienced driver.
should carry or organise for someone else to carry a simple first aid kit.
The driver should carry emergency contact phone numbers for all the riders in case of accident or other emergency.
should have at least a right hand mirror fitted.
must be able to set (and adjust as necessary) the pace of the ride to cater for the abilities of the passengers, without compromising the safety of the bus or causing undue delay to other road users.
should brief all new passengers about the operation of the bus including the route details, expected traffic and road surface conditions, the usual pace and any special points peculiar to the route.
wear a BikeBus vest
should be a member of BNSW.

3. About the Conductor

The conductor:

must have extensive experience cycling in peak hour traffic and have excellent bike skills. In addition a new conductor should have riden as passenger in a BikeBus and on at least 2 occasions co-conducted with an experienced conductor.
be an assertive rider.
be able to judge when a lane change is safe for the whole BikeBus.
have mirrors fitted to the bike.
wear a BikeBus vest
should be a member of BNSW.

4. About the passengers

A passenger:

should have been briefed by the driver on the operation of the bus including the general pace of the commute.
should be able to ride in close formation
should understand the common hand signals
should provide the driver with an emergency contact number.
will follow all directions given by the BikeBus driver or Conductor.
must have the equipment and know-how to effect minor repairs incuding punctures.
will wear an approved helmet.
will have a well maintined bike.
should wear bright clothing, reflective if riding early morning or at night.
should have appropriate lights if riding at night or early morning.
In some cases the driver may ask the new passenger to undertake training. This will most commonly mean participation in weekend organised rides with a BNSW ride leader.

info@bikenorth.org.au