MBTA bike racks

[okkra]

So I have been using the bike racks on the buses. And 7 out 10 times I get some (un)kind of comment from the bus driver. Ranging from "That is how you do it" to "MBTA never trained us how to use the racks!” Usually I just smile and walk in.

Anywhoo, today as I am getting on the driver is talking to a passenger and I hear "...falls of then they are up ****'s creek!” I ignored it and walked in. But then the driver lays into me -

BD: "You know you are responsible for anything that happens with the bike."
Me: "Yes I am responsible for securing the bike"
BD: "Well you are responsible if the bike falls off and hits a car. You are responsible for any damage to the car. And if the bike falls off and I drive over it then I will just drop you at the next stop and you go grab it. There will be no Police report or anything. I am not waiting around."
Me:” How am I responsible for damage to other cars? What if you break really hard and if flies off even if secured it according the instructions? Or if you run into something?"
BD:"you are"
Me: "I don't think so"
BD:"It is written on the side of the bus. And if you do not agree then I cannot let you on the bus." (Opens the door and looks at me)
Me:” I am going to read the sign"...


Anyways I read the sign and it said that I am responsible for loading and unloading the bike securely. I got on the bus and said I am responsible for loading it securely and that is it.


My question is what is the biker's liability in using the rack?

(Sorry for the long post)

[C.P.]

http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/bikes/

http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/documents/Bikes_on_T_Brochure_20061107.pdf

Massbike has a press release since they lobbied to get the bike racks on the buses in the first place. Maybe contact them first bikeinfo@massbike.org

If you get no-where, you may have to call the MBTA, I'd try Joseph Cosgrove at (617) 222-4400 (this name & tel number was noted on their website at the bottom of the first link above).

To me this is more of a customer service issue (the 7/10 drivers) than anything.

[errollthin]

I myself have had a bad expereiance with a T employee and my bike. I tried to bring it on a train on a saturday non rush hour and recieved a long lecture from the conductor about the hazards of having bikes onboard and I quote "Keep it out of the aisles so it doesn't hurt anybody" . So I just stared him down for the next 35 mins.

[lobolator]

The bus drivers will get over it in time. They are probably not happy because you might throw their schedule off (I don't know why that would be a problem since now they have an excuse for being late). The T worker's have a pretty tough union (I think) and probably are worried that drivers will get blamed for bike damage.

On the bright side, until the racks catch on, you won't have to wait for a bus without bikes on it. In Tucson (they also have the racks) it often takes time or strategy to get a bus without bikes on it already. Which just means you should be riding!!!!

And bikes are not allowed on the T without a special pass (or that used to be so), I too have been given a lecture on how to hold on to my dangerous vehicle on the train. Made me want to pull the E-brake! But I didn't.

Maybe the MBTA should have "classes" for learning how to use the rack.
That might make everyone "happy".