DASH Equips All Buses With Bike Racks

All Alexandria DASH buses are now equipped with bike racks as part of the bus company’s Bike-N-Roll program.

Alexandria Transit Company mechanics and Sportworks contractors spent last weekend installing new bike racks on the 53 DASH buses that had not been equipped with them. Now, all DASH buses have front-mounted, two-position bike racks, and bikes can travel on the entire DASH fleet of 73 buses and five trolleys.

In 2008, Alexandria City Council passed the Eco-City Charter and adopted the Environmental Action Plan for fiscal years 2009-2030. Between 2008 and 2011, the transit company did not purchase any new buses due to the economic downturn. With the 10 new buses and five trolleys ordered in 2011, bike racks were included as part of the order.

“This is consistent with the city’s transportation goals and actions incorporated in the plan,” said Sandy Modell, ATC’s general manager, in a news release. “Retrofitting all existing DASH buses with bike racks and ordering all new buses with bike racks will encourage more people to Bike-N-Roll in Alexandria.”

The 53 bike racks made by Sportworks were purchased with a grant from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

ATC was recently recognized for its 2012 environmental achievements for the operation of its new hybrid buses and trolleys by the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, Office of Environmental Quality.

To learn how to safely travel with your bike on DASH, check out this downloadable brochure with tips and safety information.