Bus-then-Bike Shelter Program

About the Program

Category: Transportation (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

A robust transit system is available for residents throughout Boulder County which links major activity centers in the county and the region. Many jobs and offices were within easy walking distance of bus stops when they were first built, but now, most of the job growth in Boulder County in the last few decades has been in areas which are lower-density and beyond a comfortable walking distance to transit. In order to complete the “final mile” of their trip, increasing numbers of transit patrons bring their bikes with them on regional bus routes to reach their destination. Buses typically have room for two bikes on the front, and on regional buses, there is room for a few more in the cargo bays beneath the bus. In order to manage demand for on-board bike capacity, Boulder County created the Bus-then-Bike program. This program provides free, weather-protected, secure, key-card-accessed bike parking facilities at transit centers to allow bus riders to store bikes during the day or overnight. This service allows riders to complete the first or final mile of transit trips by bicycle, thus greatly expanding transit’s reach. Users can either bike to their bus stop and lock up in a shelter for a first-mile solution, or leave a bike in a shelter at the end of their transit trip and use it for a final mile solution. Both are fully encouraged.