TriMet ticketing non-hung bicyclists on MAX
TriMet just baffles me. First, they can’t figure out how to make their trains and stations safe and now they are blatantly kicking legitimate riders off. It has been reported on TriMetiquette that bike riders on the Blue Line around 185th were not being allowed on with their bikes as there were no hooks available. One rider reported actually getting ticketed for standing up to the MAX gestapo.
With ridership up across the network and that trend not changing anytime soon, instead of figuring out how to accommodate the changing demographic, TriMet just kicks people off. Some of those trains may have been too crowded to handle the bikes. I know I bristle sometimes a bike is trying to sandwich itself between peds, but come on, would TriMet rather have all those people in cars? If you are paying a fare, you should be able to ride.
Thanks Brewcaster for the tip.
So if they’re ticketing the non-hung, what about the well-hung cyclists?
I would totally be in favor of a fare based on how much space one takes up. I say this as someone who’s a bit overweight, knowing I’d pay a bit more than some skinny person. Got a giant baby stroller you don’t want to fold? It’ll cost you. Folding bike? Cheap. Big non-folding bike? Pay for it.
I wonder if the Portland unicyclists would back me on this…
As I tend to agree that it may seem unfair to exclude considerate cyclists who are doing their share to get more cars off the roads I can only imagine that the occupancy rules were established with the safety of both cyclists and pedestrian passengers.
Perhaps in light of the changing rider demographic, TriMet could take a look at adding more hooks to the existing lines.
*Tinymeat gets ready for the backlash from bike haters.
Aaron, you and I for once are on the same page. I want some fare inspector on MAX at Mississippi Station when the ladies get on - each with their hummer size strollers. I am not against parents riding with kids, but there just isn’t enough room for the huge strollers. And if you’re kicking off the bike, let’s do the same for the strollers.
Oh, wait. If we kick off the strollers I guess the terrorist may win.
If one has a folding bike perhaps they might ride for free. This benefits everyone but TriMet. Less cars on the road to and from the MAX station, more space in the train AND CleverCycles gets to sell buttloads of bikes. Yay! everybody wins!
*Tinymeat rushes off to invent an uber-small folding bike which can be carried on a passengers lap or under their seat.
@Tinymeat -
Rules? What are trimet’s rules? Well if you read them, they state that bicycles are allowed in the priority area off hook, if there are no priority needing riders. It also states that bikes are ok in areas that will not impede the movement of any passenger. SO the problem here really is and has been(read my linked article) that Trimet hires out their ticket checkers and security from a third party, whom seem to not be knowledgeable of said rules, and start making decisions they shouldn’t be. Some of the bikers kicked off and ticketed yesterday were in no way blocking anyone, they merely were not hanging on a hook. Foul.
Please read the linked article, it has more info.
@Aaron - “The well-hung cyclists?”
Beat me to it!
@brewcaster - Interesting stuff about the actual rules. Maybe it’d help to print out a copy and keep it with me, in case.