Bike Racks Debut on Buses Across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

New Yorkers are finally getting to try out a multi-modal transportation option that's old hat to residents of other major American cities -- bike racks on buses. Sunday marked the debut of front-mounted bike racks on the S53 and S93 buses across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

The MTA purchased 38 bike racks at a cost of $42,000 and installed them on 31 buses as part of a one-year pilot program. The agency will evaluate three different models: Byk-Rak 2 Position, Sportworks Veloporter 2, and Sportworks DL2. If successful, the MTA may expand the program, starting with other bus routes across bridges.

The racks have carried bikes on 12 trips so far, including two this morning, the MTA said.

Streetsblog reader Meredith Sladek used the racks on a Sunday trip to Bay Ridge from Staten Island. It was a cinch, even for a newbie, she says.

"I have never used a bus rack before -- hard to believe but true -- and it took me about five seconds, tops. The instructions were printed on the rack itself," she wrote in an email. "The drivers were great ambassadors: Both were really genial, helpful, patient, and informative."

The MTA has also released an instructional video on how to use the racks. Sadly, it does not feature lyrics by Mr. Theo -- but Stephen Colbert's smiling face does make an appearance.