Tulsa World: Bus commuters may shift gears

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Bus commuters may shift gears
Tulsa Transit riders now can complete their journeys by bicycle.

Tulsa Transit General Manager Bill Cartwright announces a new program to allow people to check out free bicycles to make their commutes easier. SHERRY BROWN/TulsaWorld

By LEE LOGAN World Staff Writer
Published: 6/20/2008 2:07 AM
Last Modified: 6/20/2008 2:50 AM

Tulsa Transit riders now can complete their journeys by bicycle.

In an effort to encourage more bus riders, Tulsa Transit announced a pilot program Thursday that will allow people to borrow a bicycle to make their commutes easier.

Dubbed "Rack-N-Roll," the program lets people borrow a bicycle for as long as 24 hours. Bicycles must be checked out and returned at the Denver Avenue bus station downtown.

Tulsa Transit General Manager Bill Cartwright said the program is intended for people who live a short distance from the end of a bus route.

"This allows them to check out one of our bikes and make that last leg of their trip on a bicycle instead of on foot," he said. "All we ask is that they return their bike on their way back through."

The program will start with 10 bicycles, including three teal-colored women's bikes and seven silver men's bikes. Cartwright said the transit system picked that ratio because women usually are more comfortable riding a men's bicycle than vice versa.

Mayor Kathy Taylor, who attended the announcement, said riding the bus is cheaper than commuting by car.

"Gas prices are out of control," she said. "We're going to do everything we can to make it as easy as possible to ride the bus."

Each bus can carry two bicycles on racks in the front. If there's room, people also can take their bicycles on the bus.

Bicycles can't be reserved and will be checked out on a first come, first-served basis. If demand is

high enough, the program could be expanded to place bicycles at the Memorial Midtown Station, near Memorial Drive and 33rd Street.

"We want to start small and see how it goes," said Cynthia Staab, assistant general manager for Tulsa Transit. "Hopefully we're not going to have problems with bikes disappearing."

The bicycles' distinctive red tires will help transit officials track down any stolen bikes, Cartwright said.

Last year, River Parks rolled out a fleet of 75 pink bicycles that people can rent for free after swiping a credit card.

That program is not associated with the Tulsa Transit program.

Riders in the bus program do not need a deposit or credit card to check out a bicycle. Staab said this will allow more low-income people to rent the bikes.

Cartwright said the transit system bought the custom-made bicycles for $3,000 from Tom's Bicycles, which also will do any repairs.

"It's a low-cost way to expand our routes," he said. "What we really need to do in Tulsa is expand the bus system. Our system is too small for a city this size."

Participants must be at least 18 and have an Oklahoma identification card and proof of employment. After submitting an application, they will be issued a Rack-N-Roll ID card, which they can use to check out a bicycle.

Riders who don't return the bicycles within 24 hours will be fined $25 per day.

Lee Logan 732-8113
lee.logan@tulsaworld.com
By LEE LOGAN World Staff Writer

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OKLA, (6/20/2008 8:18:15 AM)

That's their problem. Bike locks are cheap.

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