Attaching your bike to a Chicago bus - help!

It always happens on the rare occurrence that I attach my bike to the front of the bus that I feel like an alien from another planet.  To make matters worse, there are two key ways to attach the bike, which makes it even more stressful for me - I sweat with nervousness on those rare days (impossible downpour, too far from home and knackered, inner tube blew and I have no resources to fix it) that I am waiting for the bus.  One means of affixing the bike is easy - the one where you turn the clamp around and onto the wheel.  Of course, several times with my 2 U-Locks on the bike I have found the bike too heavy - so I have had to remove them and put them in my backpack sitting on the sidewalk while I do the Olympic weight lifting exercise of attaching my bike.  Meanwhile, people on the bus are getting a great view of my humiliation - what could be more entertaining?  They might even be cussing under their breath because they are in a hurry and I am holding them up.   "Silence all that thinking, man, and just get the job done!" - it requires expert precision as well to lift the bike AND get both wheels into the groove without the front wheel deciding to jiggle around in excitement.  "Focus, focus, this is a Zen moment!"  But the means of attaching the bike with the yellow grip on the end of the pulled out cable terrifies me even more - twice so far I couldn't even get it out at all or far enough to actually hook it onto the wheel, and the driver, irritated as hell, had to come out to assist me whose IQ just dropped 50 points.  Wow, this is more embarrassing than an occasional male problem of attempting sex but being too nervous to get it up!   Are Chicago bus employees taping us and then watching the videos later during coffee break?  Don't worry, I am not really that nervous and I am not about to start another conspiracy theory, but am I the only person on the planet who has struggled with those bloody yellow Dragon's Claws that I must wrestle with to stabilize my poor bike?

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Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on August 7, 2013 at 2:35am

The first problem is that you do not need to put locks on your bicycle when you put it on the bus.  Instead, when you reach the stop, strip off everything that you can reasonably carry into the bus with you (locks, panier bags primarily).    I have my bag prepared.  When the bus comes, I put the bag on the sidewalk, pull down the rack, grab the bicycle and put it on the rack.   Bicycles are not "regularly" stolen off of bicycles.   Its an Urban legend like the guy who gets in the back seat of your car while you are filing the car with gas. 

The second problem is that you do not appear to be a single trial learner.   Concentrate the next few times that you use these racks and you will see how easy they are to use.  And then use this learning in the future.  If an old, weak fuddy duddy like me can use them, anyone can use them. 

Permalink Reply by SlowCoachOnTheRoad on August 7, 2013 at 2:43am

Thanks for the support, Crazy David.  By the way I was not implying that I had to lock my bike to the bus using my own locks - I was referring to the clamps the bus has on the front of the bus that are used to stabilize the bike in its groove- and which are required by bus policy.

Crazy David 84 Furlongs said:

The first problem is that you do not need to put locks on your bicycle when you put it on the bus.  Instead, when you reach the stop, strip off everything that you can reasonably carry into the bus with you (locks, panier bags primarily).    I have my bag prepared.  When the bus comes, I put the bag on the sidewalk, pull down the rack, grab the bicycle and put it on the rack.   Bicycles are not "regularly" stolen off of bicycles.   Its an Urban legend like the guy who gets in the back seat of your car while you are filing the car with gas. 

The second problem is that you do not appear to be a single trial learner.   Concentrate the next few times that you use these racks and you will see how easy they are to use.  And then use this learning in the future.  If an old, weak fuddy duddy like me can use them, anyone can use them. 

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on August 7, 2013 at 3:56am

I second!

There's also this video:

And this instruction for the other type:

http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/how_to_guides/bikebus.aspx


Cameron 7.5 mi said:

There's a mock at CTA headquarters where you can practice.

Permalink Reply by SlowCoachOnTheRoad on August 7, 2013 at 4:20am

Ha, that cracked me up! I'll have to go by that way some time soon and try it out... especially the yellow beastie



Cameron 7.5 mi said:

There's a mock at CTA headquarters where you can practice.

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on August 7, 2013 at 4:23am

> It always happens on the rare occurrence that I attach my bike to the front of the bus that

>I feel like an alien from another planet.

Sort of like this?

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on August 7, 2013 at 4:26am

We were just going to post that video too, very helpful! We always advise that you should take your time and don't worry about the driver and other people. It actually takes less time than you think.

We've done several news segments about this over the years and feel it's an important opportunity for people with bikes to know how to do.

Thanks,

Ethan Spotts, Active Trans

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on August 7, 2013 at 4:47am

That is super heavy! Not sure how you are positioning yourself but I'd recommend bending knees/squatting a bit and grabbing bike at mid-seat tube (the frame tube below your seat) and on the mid-front fork. That way you are low, ready to lift with legs and have a wide grip across the bike.

Gripping the front fork also helps keep the bike aligned with the slot instead of your front wheel tipping left or right.

My bike isn't that heavy but I started using this approach when I would have my baby boy strapped to my chest. It made the lift easier and also kept him upright. I understand it's not cool to drop a baby in the street.

Ethan, Active Trans

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on August 7, 2013 at 5:01am

I don't think I'll be trying that...wow!

Ethan, Active Trans

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on August 7, 2013 at 5:03am

LOL LOL

Hello Scarlett said:

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on August 7, 2013 at 6:27am

Totally agree.... and for those of us with little upper body strength it's super hard.... and I also don't know where to put my bag when I'm doing it.  I've started putting my pannier under the rack so it doesn't get stolen when I'm trying to lift the bike up and lock it.   Often people see my struggling (esp with my commuter) and offer to help. 

I love the fact we have this option and I use almost once a week, but do wonder if there is better technology out there.

And here was a recent experience of someone messing with my bike.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on August 7, 2013 at 6:40am

For those of us with little upper body strength AND short arms and legs, it is really super hard. Putting the bag under the rack until getting the bike on it is a good idea!
 
Julie Hochstadter said:

Totally agree.... and for those of us with little upper body strength it's super hard.... and I also don't know where to put my bag when I'm doing it.  I've started putting my pannier under the rack so it doesn't get stolen when I'm trying to lift the bike up and lock it.   Often people see my struggling (esp with my commuter) and offer to help. 

I love the fact we have this option and I use almost once a week, but do wonder if there is better technology out there.

And here was a recent experience of someone messing with my bike.

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth M. on August 7, 2013 at 6:42am

Is there really a place you can practice? I am completely intimidated by these things and have biked home from Hyde Park to Logan Square in some nasty weather because I didn't want try this. The video is helpful but my bike is heavy and I would love to try it first in a stress free environment to see if I can even manage to heft the thing up there. 

Cameron 7.5 mi said:

There's a mock at CTA headquarters where you can practice.

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