Cyclists get bus bike racks

Palmerston North cyclists can now catch a bus and bring their bike with them.

Bike racks are being installed on the city’s fleet of 25 buses, with all expected to be in place by the end of the week.

Feilding had racks installed on their buses at the start of the year and the city is following suit.

Horizons Regional Council transport manager Phillip Hindrup said the racks were installed in Feilding first because it had a change of operator.

The city got its turn with funding from the 2016-2017 annual plan.

He said the racks would allow people to catch a bus if they had biked somewhere and the weather had turned.

To use the new additions, cyclists must lower the rack from the front of the bus, lift their bike onto it and then secure it by raising a support arm over the front tyre.

Tranzit urban manager Stephen Du Plessis said racks would give people more options and he hoped they would mean more people started taking the bus.

He agreed the racks could help cyclists if rain or wind became an issue.

‘‘If the weather turns bad you can jump on the bus.’’

Bike-rack usage was on a first come, first served basis, with the racks able to carry two at a time.

Horizons passenger transport committee chairwoman Rachel Keedwell said the racks were a step toward making Palmerston North a more bike-friendly city.

‘‘For bus users to be able to ride their bike between bus stops and their final destinations is a fantastic and environmentally conscious option.

‘‘We’re always looking for ways to make catching the bus easier.’’