Project Clearinghouse

UCSC Vanpool - 2 Bike Racks

Sustainability Problem and Proposed Solution: 

This project provides an Increased number of students and staff who can bicycle to the Vanpool pick up point. We have at times more than 2 people needing/chosing to ride their bikes to the park and ride lot. This new rack configuration allows for up to 3 bikes to be front loaded. This reduces riders' average 7 mile round trip SOV travel. It optimizes TAPS' alternative transportation service.

Jump to: Contact | Project Description | Funding Sources | Metrics for Success | Results
Project Categories: 
Transportation
Project Status: 
Completed
Project End Date: 
03/31/2020
(estimated)
Campus Organization: 
Carbon Fund
Affiliated Department, Unit or College: 
Transportation and Parking Services
Project Location: 
Both on and off campus

On Vanpools traveling from either San Jose, Monterey, Aptos, or Watsonville


Stakeholder Contacts: 
Contact NameEmail AddressContact NumberDepartment
Julie Munnerlyn
jmunnerl@ucsc.edu
459-4289
Transportation and Parking Services
Funding Sources: 
Carbon Fund Micro grant

Project Description: 

TAPS seeks funds to purchase two 3-bike capacity racks for two vanpools. We currently have enough students and employees who ride to the vans to show a need for a 3-bike capacity rack versus our aging 2-bike capacity racks. TAPS and Fleet have researched racks that can easily be hitched to the new vans. Affiliates - students and staff, participating in the TAPS’ Vanpool program typically use a solo driver car to meet the vanpool at a park and ride lot. On average, riders who bicycle to the lot, live within a 2-5 mile radius of the pick up point. In the last couple of years, TAPS extended the Vanpool service to students. In that time, the Vanpool racks have been popular and in some cases are not enough for the bicycling/vanpool commuters. Not only do riders want to use bicycles to ride to the van, they also want to use the bikes to travel around campus throughout the day. The more students signing up for vanpool services, the more we see the need to provide for adequate bike rack spaces on our vanpool. Combining bicycling with transit or vanpool allows riders to complete a multi-modal, lower emission commute overall. One of the program coordinators for this project is a Student Intern who runs the day to day operations for the Vanpool Program. She will be overseeing the promotion of the racks and will monitor daily usage.

Metrics for Success: 

TAPS will include in its Vanpool monthly ridership log sheets a category on how the rack is used daily.

Next Steps: 
1. Purchase and Install bike racks 2. Promote Use 3. Encourage Vanpools to achieve goal to fully maximize bike rack use
Result Categories: 
Behavior Change
Results: 

This project will be completed on the purchase and installation of the bike racks. They will continue to be promoted and used throughout the racks' life, estimated between 8-10 years. This is a new design and technology and we will continue to provide input on its quality and success.

6/9/20 - staff has worked with the Carbon Fund Team to discuss issues on delayed project implementation due to COVID 19 conditions. TAPS is working with Fleet to define the proper model that will meet driver needs and police restrictions. This is now expected to be implemented late August 2020.

9/30/21 - we are at a hold with this project due to the manufacturer's backlog of orders. The pandemic created a huge split between increased orders and diminished supply. Hitches are installed on the vans and they are ready to go once we receive the racks.

1/1/22 - The rack was put on in early December. We are excited to see how it works and will pursue the purchase of a second one if all goes well. This is a One Up Rack and very sturdy and allows for the back doors to open with an easy tilt of the rack.

Resources
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