Re: [Ebbc-Talk] BART Bikes ONBoard web page up: please help end BART blackouts

Jennifer,

Why should cyclists wait until some mythical future day to correct what is already a forty-year-old injustice?
Bicyclists are the only class of BART riders who are discriminated against as a class.

BART capacity is constrained by not enough rolling stock, stations designed before ADA standards existed, a system that is 
under-engineered and under-designed for current needs, and a host of other shortcomings. And it will be for a while.

The 775 new cars that will start coming in 2015-2016 will certainly help, but there is never going to be a
 "convenient" time to make all BART trains and all BART stations accessible to bikes. It just needs to happen.

Ending the blackouts, permitting bikes on escalators, and otherwise giving cyclists full and equal access to the BART system--
just like every other BART passenger--is long past due. On principle. As a matter of justice and transportation equity.

And there is no evidence that a complete system failure will result, despite years of widespread campaigns to the contrary. 
All we have to do for Bikes ONBoard BART to be successful is for all BART patrons to get along with everyone else--
wheelchair users, shoppers, airline passengers with luggage, dads with strollers--on the trains.

And I know we can do this.

Jon


 
On May 8, 2012, at 8:00 PM, Jennifer Stanley wrote:

> There are a plethora of projects and planning efforts underway in the Bay Area to increase housing near BART stations to meet all sorts of regional and state goals (mostly related to reducing car trips and emissions). Some of these projects are already underway. These projects will increase the number of people taking BART--a good thing if it replaces car trips. However, an increase in BART ridership will make any near-term end to the blackout period short lived, IMHO. Add in planned BART extensions to Livermore and San Jose--and then: good luck getting a seat at inner stations (with our without a bike) during commute hours in the not too distant future.
> -Jennifer
> 
> 
> On May 8, 2012, at 11:17 AM, Robert Prinz wrote:
> 
>> Hi Richard,
>> 
>> That's what this process is about, developing a plan. There are a number of
>> ideas on the table both short and long term, but people are needed to help
>> put the pieces together and garner support. If you are interested you
>> should get involved.
>> 
>> -Robert
>> 
>> On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 11:11 AM, Richard Levenberg <[email protected]> wrote:
>> 
>>> What is the plan of record for actually getting bikes on a very crowded
>>> commute hour train?
>>> 
>>> Although I platonically like the idea I don't really see how it's feasible.
>>> 
>>> r
>>> 
>>> On May 8, 2012, at 9:51 AM, Jon Spangler <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Cyclists,
>>>> 
>>>> The BART Bikes ONBoard project page is live:
>>>> 
>>>> http://www.sfbike.org/?bobart
>>>> 
>>>> This project's foremost goal is to end the blackout periods now
>>> restricting transbay bike commuters.
>>>> 
>>>> Permitting bikes to use BART escalators and gaining better station
>>> access at stations like 12th and 19th Streets
>>>> are closely related priorities for BART BikesONBoard, which is supported
>>> by EBC, SFBC, SVBC, and other groups.
>>>> 
>>>> BART's just-released draft bicycle plan is also available through this
>>> link.
>>>> 
>>>> The EBBC cut its proverbial chainring teeth on BART-related access
>>> issues almost four decades ago and there are
>>>> signs that BART may be close to changing its policies that have
>>> discriminated against cyclists for decades.
>>>> 
>>>> Please sign up now: help us end the blackouts and improve station access
>>> for all BART cyclists!
>>>> 
>>>> http://www.sfbike.org/?bobart
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> 
>>>> Jon
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Jon Spangler
>>>> Writer/editor
>>>> Linda Hudson Writing
>>>> TEL  510-864-2144
>>>> CEL 510-846-5356
>>>> [email protected]
>>>> www.linkedin.com/in/jonmspangler
>>>> www.twitter.com/jonmspangler
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> "She who succeeds in gaining the mastery of the bicycle will gain the
>>> mastery of life."
>>>> —Frances E. Willard, in A Wheel Within a Wheel: How I Learned to Ride
>>> the Bicycle (1895)
>>>> 
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Jon Spangler
Writer/editor
Linda Hudson Writing
TEL  510-864-2144
CEL 510-846-5356
[email protected] 
www.linkedin.com/in/jonmspangler
www.twitter.com/jonmspangler


"She who succeeds in gaining the mastery of the bicycle will gain the mastery of life."
  —Frances E. Willard, in A Wheel Within a Wheel: How I Learned to Ride the Bicycle (1895)

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