Transit is a critical element of the transportation system. Longer trips that cannot be made by bicycle or on foot can be made by bus or by rail. According to a recent study, approximately 20 percent of transit users acquire their daily recommended amount of physical activity simply by walking to and from transit stops. Not only that, transit is a relatively safe means of getting around, with one-tenth of the risk of fatal injury compared with car travel. Transportation and land use planners can facilitate use of transit by developing compact, walkable areas around transit stops and stations (often called “transit-oriented development”). Further, transportation planners and engineers can coordinate with transit service providers to design connected street networks that allow as many residents and visitors as possible to safely reach transit.

Bicycling, walking, and micromobility are complementary to transit and users must be able to get to transit stops on foot and by bike. An efficient and reliable transit system also provides bicyclists and pedestrians flexible travel modes, thus expanding the range of transportation options for those not traveling by car.

At some point, every transit rider is a pedestrian. Some riders have a short walk from a parking lot to a transit stop or station, and others have a longer walk from their home, office, or commercial center. A bicycle-to-transit trip typically extends the catchment area of a bus stop or train station to two or three miles. Thus, it is critical that transit stops and their surrounding areas are safe for all users. Transportation officials and advocates are increasingly attentive to the "first mile / last mile" problem and how to create safe and seamless connections for bicyclists and pedestrians using transit as a part of their journey.

Resources

NACTO Transit Street Design Guide
National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)
Provides guidelines on designing streets for transit while enhancing the overall utility of the street for all users, including those traveling by foot or by bicycle.

National Public Transportation Safety Plan
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Focuses on enhancing safety in public transportation.

Bicycle and Transit Integration Guide
American Public Transportation Association
Illustrates best practices for seamlessly integrating bicycle travel with transit at every point, and discusses the benefits of flexible mobility choices.

Pedestrian Safety Guide for Transit Agencies
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Aims to assist transit agency staff in improving pedestrian safety and access near transit stations, bus stops, and other transit locations.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety in Bus Rapid Transit and High-Priority Bus Corridors
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Provides information about policies, practices, and programs agencies have used to incorporate pedestrian and bicycle safety infrastructure within bus rapid transit projects.

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Examples

Bikes and Transit Campaign for King County, Washington Metro
King County Metro, Seattle, Washington
Provides tips for loading and unloading transit users’ bicycles, locating and using bicycle parking, including secure bicycle lockers, and videos demonstrating how to safely bicycle around buses.

Bicycle Sharing Programs in Relation to Urban Transit
Case Studies on Transport Policy
Studies the extent to which a bicycle sharing program is used in combination with urban transit or as a self-standing mode.

Interest in Shared-Use Mobility Services in Tribal Communities
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
Addresses the need to understand shared-use mobility services in tribal areas.

Montgomery County, MD: Increasing Transit Options by Improving Walkability
Brookings
Describes efforts to study pedestrian access to a new rail line in Montgomery County, MD.

The Connection between Investments in Bus Stops, Ridership, and ADA Accessibility
National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC), Portland State University (PSU)
Measures the impacts of bus stop improvements and provides an overview of stop improvement best practices of several transit agencies.

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