- Courtesy of MATA
The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) announced today that 2013 was a record year for cyclists taking the bus, with nearly 25,000 cyclists strapping their bikes on the front of buses all over the city.
Since introducing the bike racks in 2009, MATA has seen a steady increase in cyclists using the “Bike and Ride” option, with 24,096 cyclists taking advantage of the bus bike racks in 2013, a nearly eight percent increase from last year. Based on the high-numbers, MATA is considering purchasing higher-efficiency bike racks, for additional bike-carrying capacity. Each Fixed-Route MATA bus is currently equipped with a front bike rack that will hold two conventional bicycles.
“With more and more neighborhoods in Memphis adding bike lanes, biking is becoming a major transportation and cultural attribute of Memphis,” said Tom Fox, MATA’s Interim President and General Manager. “Bike and Rides make those investments by the city even more valuable.”