The Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) train is projected to start service between San Rafael and Sonoma County Airport north of Santa Rosa in late spring although the exact date will depend upon final federal safety approvals. Initially, rides will be free. The free period will run through the July 4 holiday. SMART will then offer 50 percent discounted rates through the September 4 Labor Day holiday. Regular fares will go into effect on September 5. For more information click here
Bart’s new extension to Warm Springs near San Jose opens up new possibilities for rail excursions from the South Bay Area. Coupled with the Larkspur Golden Gate Ferry and the soon-to-be-opened SMART train in Marin and Sonoma Counties, you won’t have to tolerate Highway 101 traffic to visit the North Bay. Bring your bicycle and visit the outback. There are many multi-use trails and little-traveled rural roads that connect you to forest, ocean and wine tasting.
Read more at http://mtc.ca.gov/whats-happening/news/bart-celebration-marks-completion-long-route-warm-springs
Read more about Berlin’s Bicycle Superhighway.
When different modes of transportation intersect, there can be tradeoffs for either mode. In the case of bikes and buses, however, there are solutions that avoid compromise and are advantageous to all users. Enter the transit boarding island. Read more at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition site: http://www.sfbike.org/news/boarding-islands-a-solution-for-bikes-and-buses/.