Benefits: Replacing seats and bike racks with bicycle trainers will allow better use of train bike cars. Cyclists will get a better user experience and will be more likely to take public transportation when cycling only is not practical instead of driving on long commutes.
A trainer like CycleOps wouldn't need more room for a person and a bike than a full seat + bike rack. Nicer fluid or magnetic trainers would be great. Wind trainers' noise shouldn't be that big of a deal on a train, especially if everyone is using one. When the train is moving we can reroute some external wind for a more realistic biking experience.
Idea history:
On the annual MIT bike ride to Tiburon yesterday, someone in great cycling shape was riding a not too fancy bike.
He explained he took his cheap bike on CalTrain. (Use of bike locks is prohibited on board Caltrain)
I also wouldn't take my race bike on CalTrain if I can't be on top of it. I might put my race bike on a trainer occasionally. If he uses the indoor trainer on Caltrain every day, Leon may still want to use a cheaper bike, but he will keep his fantastic shape.
Bonus extensions:
- Generate electricity instead of just waste it for magnetic resistance trainer
I've got to keep 300W output to get a $1 discount on the roundtrip
While we'll have to get a really good workout out of the cyclists to get any real electricity,
but if this is sold back at premium to PG&E clean electricity
- Provide spinning classes
I have to catch the 8:12 train for Melissa's spinning class.
After we get occasional bike commuters in great shape they will ride to work every day. Maybe I will start riding CalTrain more regularly even if I don't have to :)
Business model: A real usability study is needed to decide on the space needed and economics of this solution. Must experiment with pricing and whether CalTrain should provide this for free for all, should it be premium service, or would users get a discount.
