Month: May 2011

Bikes on BART’s Escalators

Bicycles are currently not permitted on escalators in BART stations. It’s always been a “safety issue.” This may soon change. Denis Cuff reported on this last Friday in the Contra Costa Times.

In the cyclists’ corner, BART board members Robert Raburn and Tom Radulovich are working to reverse the ban. BART did its own study on the “safety issue” years ago and concluded that escalators and stairs were equally safe for cyclists to use in BART stations. Despite that, the escalator ban continues. BART officials say they want to encourage people to bike to BART stations because it can increase train ridership without adding expensive parking lots, and it reduces pollution and traffic congestion.

BART, kindly put your money where your mouth is. End the escalator ban. Thank you.

Stage 2 Tour start moved to Nevada City

Due to continued inclement weather in the Sierra Mountains, the second stage start for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California has been moved from Squaw Valley to Nevada City.

Riders will begin the race at 12:15 and race 61 miles to Sacramento, where they will complete three circuit laps before finishing in front of the Capital Dome sometime after about 3:30 PM.

Nevada City hosted the first stage last year and local organizers were able to mobilize quickly to accommodate the change in plans.