This Transit Authority is a Model of Bike-Friendliness

The Utah Transit Authority wants riders to try biking rather than driving to rail and transit stations, so they are offering $60 in giveaways to people that choose not to do so. Some stations come equipped with air pumps and repair stands.

2 minute read

July 17, 2015, 1:00 PM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Salt Lake City Trax and Bike

vxla / Flickr

"UTA is giving $40 worth of free bike safety gear and $20 gift cards for electronic bike lockers at transit stations for free as part of an ongoing effort to encourage people to bike to transit stations instead of driving," writes Katie Larsen of Deseret News. "The safety kit giveaways started July 10 and will continue 'as long as supplies last,' said UTA spokesman Remi Barron, and contain a safety vest, two LED bike lights and a bike map."

Unlike the conventional bike lockers that UTA rents for $70 annually, BikeLink lockers rent for a nickel an hour. The fee is deducted from the card which must first be activated. The electronic lockers "were added to six FrontRunner and TRAX stations" last November, according to UTA. Four stations have "air pumps and bike repair stands."

The transit authority is also "in the process of installing 100 vertical bike racks on TRAX trains," adds UTA, for those who want to bring their bikes aboard the light rail trains. 

"The kits also are a nod to a 25-year plan to build 1,600 miles of bike lanes, including a trail from Provo to Ogden along FrontRunner (commuter rail) stations, offering alternative forms of travel than just driving to transit stations," writes Larsen.

"The trail helps target the 60 percent of people 'interested but concerned' who want to ride bicycles more often, but are concerned with safety," said Scott Hess, the Wasatch Front Regional Council active transportation planner, referring to a Portland State University cycling study.

Live in the area? Get your kit and cards while they last at the Downtown Salt Lake City Customer Service Office, Ogden Transit Center, or Timpanogos Transit Center in Orem. 

Hat tip to AASHTO Daily Transportation Update.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015 in Deseret News

Aerial view of snowy single-family homes in suburban Long Island, New York

New York Governor Advances Housing Plan Amid Stiff Suburban Opposition

Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious proposal to create more housing has once again run into a brick wall of opposition in New York’s enormous suburbs, especially on Long Island. This year, however, the wall may have some cracks.

March 20, 2023 - Mark H. McNulty

Empty parking garage at night with yellow lines marking spots and fluorescent lighting

Rethinking the Role of Parking in the American City

In cities big and small, the tide is turning against sprawling parking lots, car-centric development, and minimum parking mandates.

March 16, 2023 - The New York Times

A futuristic version of New York City, with plants growing neatly on top of modern skycrapers.

Friday Eye Candy: 20 AI-Generated Cityscapes

AI-generated images are creating new landscapes and cityscapes, capable of inspiring awe or fear.

March 17, 2023 - Chris Steins via Medium

A group of wetsuit-clad swimmers gathers to talk in shallow water near the shore of the San Francisco Bay.

Proposed Pool Would Make an Olympic-Sized Play Area in the San Francisco Bay

The San Francisco Bay is usually an undesirable place to swim, except for a hearty few. A development proposal seeking assistance at the state level would add a pool to the Bay’s waters to make the idea of going for a swim more appealing.

March 24 - The Mercury News

Chicago elevated train over busy city street surrounded by high-rise buildings

Chicagoland Transit Agencies Call for State Funding as Budget Shortfall Looms

Illinois transit agencies want to see changes to a law requiring them to collect half of their revenue from transit fares, arguing that low ridership and staffing shortages will lead to a massive budget gap without intervention.

March 24 - Crain's Chicago Business

Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge

Panel: Minneapolis Zoning Updates Should Reflect Mixed-Use Future

A discussion of post-pandemic changes in work and commuting concluded that the city’s overhaul of its zoning code should be less restrictive with land uses.

March 24 - MinnPost

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

HUD’s 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.