The Drive: Front-end bike racks arrive on Red Line buses

Metro Red Line buses are now equipped with front-end bike racks.

The racks were installed last week after customers asked for them, said Robin Selvig, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, which operates the new bus rapid transit line along Cedar Avenue.

The seven buses have interior bike racks, but customers said they are cumbersome to use.

Passengers asked for the racks on the front of the bus that will allow them to load their bicycles onto a flat rack instead of having to hang them up on a vertical rack.

The new racks mounted on the front of the buses are similar to those that are in use on Metro Transit buses.

For now, the interior racks will remain in use on Red Line buses, at least until a loading step is complete at the 147th Street Station.

The step will allow riders access from the platform to the front of the bus, where they can store their two wheelers.

The interior bike racks have not "been as successful as hoped," Selvig said, noting that they cause bicycles to stick out into the aisle, another problem with their use.

Not all riders want the interior bike racks removed, so Selvig said a bike committee will look at what is appropriate.

Selvig also said the interior racks could be retrofitted to make them less obtrusive and easier to use.

Buses on the Red Line, also known as the Cedar Avenue bus rapid transit line, began operating in June.

The buses shuttle riders between the Mall of America and four stations south of the Minnesota River in Eagan and Apple Valley.