The instability of the world oil market and concerns about the environmental impact of car use have led some Americans to think about alternative transportation systems. Several American cities, sometimes following European examples, are implementing “mixed mode” transportation systems. This includes any system that combines multiple modes of transportation: bus and bike, train and bus, and so on.
Even away from the coasts, many mid-American cities have bus systems. Unfortunately these systems are often inadequate due to urban sprawl and ubiquitous car ownership, but they can be made much more useful with a bicycle. By combining biking with riding the bus, you can effectively extend the range of the bus system and get around much more efficiently than by bus and foot alone.
Many cities have train systems as well, which can either be extensive in their own right, like New York's subway system, or combined with bus systems. In cities like New York, where only 40% of residents take a car to work, train systems often operate alongside bus systems. In cities with less extensive train systems, commuters often take routes that combine buses and trains.
It can be difficult to combine biking with trains. Although some train systems permit bicycles, in many cases having a bike keeps you on the bus. To open the trains back up to cyclists, some companies produce foldable bicycles that can be easily carried on the train. These are still quite rare, however.
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If you are a dedicated cyclist, you might find that your local public transportation infrastructure, combined with your bike, provides all you need to get around. For this to work, however, you need to keep your bike safe. The most important addition to any bicycle is a strong lock. For help finding the right bike lock, contact A&Js’ Bike Locks today at 708-460-2999.
