Bikes on Big Blue Buses Make the Big Blue Bus even Better!

According to a press release by Big Blue Bus

A celebration is planned for Sunday October 14, from 11am-4pm on the 3rd Street Promenade.Buses equipped with the bike racks will be available to view and a wheel of fortune will give people chances to win everything from free bus passes to a brand new bike from Helen's Cycles.

In addition to the prizes, free food and drink, a bike workshop, biking information, bike trail and route maps, and city officials will all be part of the event. "With many of our bus routes traveling within blocks of the beach bike path and miles to of dedicated bike lanes, the bike racks are an amenity that has been anxiously awaited. These racks will enable cyclists thoughout our service area to enjoy greater mobility. We're glad to be able to provide this convenience for our customers," said Big Blue Bus Maintenance Manager Ralph Merced.

These Light-weight racks will be places on the front of the buses and other recreational bikers and bike commuters new environmentally friendly way to travel the city. The bike racks make it easy for passengers to load and unload their bikes. Manufactured by Washington-based Sportsworks, the stainless steel bike racks will accommodate two bikes per bus. Bikes are secured by a support arm ensuring that only the tires come into contact with the rack, minimizing any potential damage to the bike. According to the manufacturer, bicycles can be loaded and unloaded in approximately 15 seconds, causing no delay in bus service.

The bus bike racks are just part of an overall plan to make Santa Monica a bike friendly city. In addition to the existing 38 miles of bike trails, lanes and routes. Santa Moinca is installing new bike parking throughout the city and in creating new bike maps showing routes available to bikers. "Santa Monica has taken a key step to make our city even more bike friendly," says Barbar Filet a member of Cycle Santa Monica!, a chapter of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. "the Big Blue Bus just got even better with bikes"