How can public transit planners accurately address the needs of riders who combine bicycling with bus or rail?

Given that many bicyclists place a high value on the ability to blend transportation modes, the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) has published a free, peer-reviewed report that provides policy recommendations that respond to the needs of these riders.

The report, Perceptions of Bicycle-Friendly Policy Impacts on Accessibility to Transit Services: The First and Last Mile Bridge, recognizes recent efforts many public transit agencies have made to combine bicycles and transit, including installing bicycle racks on transit vehicles and implementing bicycles-on-trains ­policies.

Highlights include the following recom­mendations for public transit planners:

Make cycle-transit coordination a high and funded priority for local and regional planning organizations and transit agencies responsible for bicycle planning.

Plan for increased demand in cycle-transit use by providing more secure bicycle parking and higher-capacity bicycle facilities on transit vehicles.

Develop better materials to ­promote cycle-transit travel.

Study strategies for further facilitating physical access by bicycles to, from, and within transit stations and terminals.

Encourage the growth and expansion of bicycle share programs.

Download the 96-page report here.