BikeHouston members recently sent a letter to Jennifer Dorn, Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), documenting Metro’s inability to initiate the bike racks on buses program. Since June 2000, Metro has had access to federal money that provides an 80% match. Despite the federal funding, local Metro officials have been unable and unwilling to install the bike racks on buses. To view the FTA letter and documentary on Metro’s ineffectiveness please click on the links below.

FTA Letter 8-15-2005.pdf

Documents Part 1.pdf (704.26 KB) Includes:

• Exhibit 01 (July 13, 2000) Houston Chronicle article. Metro announces that all buses will be equipped with bike racks by October 2001. Announce plans for a new transit center by 2005. The new multi-million dollar transit center opened in 2005.
• Exhibit 02 (October 15, 2000) Metro applies for federal funding of $1.2MM from the 2000 TIP.
• Exhibit 03 (May 25, 2001) Letter to Regina Garcia. After local volunteer cyclists spend 100 hours training 1,200 METRO drivers on cycling safety for the bike rack implementation, President & CEO, Shirley DeLibero kills the bike rack project due to funding concerns. Local funding is constrained as Metro is planning on spending $240MM to develop a non- FTA approved light rail line.
• Exhibit 04 (July 5, 2002) Houston Chronicle article. Three hundred cyclists take to the streets to protest METRO’s treatment to cyclists as well as METRO’s decision to drop the bike racks.
• Exhibit 05 (February 3, 2003) Houston Chronicle article. Local cyclists appeal to Metro’s board regarding Metro’s failure to install bike racks on buses.
• Exhibit 06 (April 25, 2003) Houston Chronicle. Metro solicits support from cyclists by advertising “Bike racks on all METRO buses” for the upcoming November 2003 “Metro Solutions” election
• Exhibit 07 (May 15, 2003) Houston Chronicle article. Metro spokes person Steve Beard reiterates Metro’s promise to install bike racks on all buses with the passage of Metro Solutions.

Documents Part 2.pdf (556.64 KB) Includes:

• Exhibit 08 (June 27, 2003) Letter to Tom Bailey. Metro’s, Vice-President, John M. Sedlak informs Bailey that, “With a successful approval of this transit system plan, the bike racks on buses program will be implemented.”
• Exhibit 09 (December 12, 2003) Letter to Tom Bailey. Metro’s, Vice-President, John M. Sedlak informs Bailey that, “In early to mid 2004 METRO will be refining the schedule for the Bus Component projects of the METRO Solutions Plan, which includes the bike racks on buses”.
• Exhibit 10 (April 14, 2004) Letter to Tom Bailey. Metro’s, Vice-President, John M. Sedlak informs Bailey, “There are Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) funds in the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) of the Regional Transportation Plan (RPT). We are exploring opportunities to take advantage of these funds and expedite the installation of the racks.”
• Exhibit 11 (July 2, 2004) Letter from Woody Speer to John Sedlak and Metro’s Board regarding Metro’s failure to implement the bike racks on buses.
• Exhibit 12 (August 10, 2004) Letter from Woody Speer to David Wolff, Chairmen of Metro’s Board reiterating funding options as well as an economic analysis of why the bike racks would be beneficial. Copies of the letter were sent to Mayor Bill White and Metro’s Board of Directors.
• Exhibit 13 (June 14, 2005) Letter to Woody Speer. Metro President & CEO, Frank Wilson, states that “METRO will continue to assess available funding sources and take advantage of those resources as opportunity presents”. Wilson made no further commitment regarding an installation time table for the bike racks on buses.