AC Transit’s unions and officials were able to negotiate a deal last night at 10pm to avoid a strike (Full story via SF Gate). If this week’s two strike scares made you want to explore options other than transit, here are some tips to get your bike commute started! 

•Tips for New Bike Commuters

•Secure Bike Parking

•East Bay Transit

•Transbay Travel

 

 Get more info from 511.org’s Strike Feed here as it becomes available.

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Get Started:

If you don’t regularly commute by bike, here are some resources to get you rolling quickly: 

Secure Bike Parking Options:

Make sure your bike is still there for your commute home at the end of the day with these parking tips:

 

  • Ask if you can bring your bike inside your workplace. Your employer may even provide a bike room for extra secure parking.

  • If you do lock up outside make sure you do so securely. Use a quality U-lock and cable, and follow these instructions on our website.
  • Sign up for a BikeLink card to get access to all the secure bike lockers and bike rooms all around the East Bay for just 3-5¢ per hour! The BikeLink secure bike rooms at the Ashby and Embarcadero stations, as well as the Bike Stations in Downtown Berkeley and Fruitvale BART will still be open throughout the strike.

 

 

 

 

 

East Bay Bike/Transit Options:

A combination of biking and transit is a great option for longer commutes.
 

Transbay Bike/Transit Options:

  • Oakland/Alameda/SF Ferry. This ferry allows passengers with bikes on board for no additional fee beyond the normal ticket price. Carry a bungee cord to secure your bike to the rear railing as the racks are likely to be jam-packed. Ferry terminals are in Alameda at Harbor Bay and Main Street, in Oakland at Jack London Square, and in SF at Pier 41, the Ferry Building, AT&T Park, and South San Francisco. Valet bike parking will be provided 7am-7pm at Alameda’s Main Street Ferry Terminal, and the ferries will be making additional stops around Alameda Island and Bay Farm Island during commute hours. Additional transbay ferry service will be provided throughout the strike, beyond the normal schedule.
  • BART: Bikes are alllowed at all times on BART. During rush hour, use common sense in entering BART cars. Bikes are not allowed in the first three cars during rush hour, and in the first car during non-peak hours. 
  • Caltrans Bay Bridge Bicycle Shuttle: This shuttle takes 16 riders and bikes at a time between MacArthur BART to the Transbay Terminal in San Francisco for just $1 each way. The shuttle runs both directions during commute hours only, is first-come first-served, and is only available to passengers with bikes.
  • Amtrak Capitol Corridor Transbay Buses: Amtrak provides service from the Emeryville Station into San Francisco by charter bus. Bikes can be locked up at station racks or stowed in the bus luggage compartment (no charge) if there is room available. Buy your ticket in advance to avoid crowds at the station. Please note: State law requires that trips booked on Amtrak include at least one segment where you travel by train (rather than just by bus), so you must also select at least one other segment of your trip where you travel by train, even if you do not use it. (Cheapest ticket is from Berkeley to SF).
  • WestCAT Transbay Bus: This line runs from Hercules to the Transbay Terminal in San Francisco. Buses can accomodate two bikes each on the front racks.
  • Greyhound Bus: Greyhound has East Bay stops in Antioch, Hayward, Oakland, Pittsburg, and San Francisco. Purchase tickets online in advance as they are not available at many stops. Taking your bike with you is not recommended as bicycles can only be brought on as oversize luggage and must be packed in a substantial, securely fastened container, and an additional $30-40 fee might be applied.

More:

Visit alert.511.org for more great alternatives to commuting solo by car, as well as updates on local transit services. Send questions to our Education Director Robert Prinz at [email protected].

 

 

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