Me vs. SEPTA Bike Rack

I've been living and biking in Philadelphia for nearly six months now, and it wasn't until recently I had to utilize a bike rack on SEPTA's bus. I actually got an unexpected tire flat- are they ever expected really?- and was completely unprepared to fix the flat on my own (for tips to avoid this, check out the What You Got in That Bag? article). On to the nearest SEPTA stop I went to get me to my favorite bike shop, Breakaway Bikes in Center City. The closest and most convenient public transit ride was the Route 9 Bus towards Center City, thankfully only a quick walk to catch.

So I made my way to the bus stop, forlorn and pitiful, as my tire was as deflated as my ego, when I realized I had never used the bike rack on SEPTA before. My heart started pounding as a myriad of panicked thoughts ran through my head as I became self-conscious about my lack of experience with bike rack. I definitely didn't want to be "that girl" who doesn't know how to use the bike rack on public transportation; I was too proud to face public degradation, especially if there were any nearby bicycle riders who planned on watching and judging me as I struggled to affix this bike to the rack. 'Oh the humiliation' kept reeling through my brain as I noticed the SEPTA bus make its treacherous approach towards my stop. It was at that point I actually considered walking- 7 miles up and downhill with a flat bike tire wouldn't be so bad, right?

No, no, no, I can do this, I thought. So I raised my helmeted head high and looked the bus driver directly in the eyes as she stopped and I wheeled my defunct velocipede to the front of the bus for loading. The bus was about half-full, and I could swear that every person rose from their seats and plastered their faces to the window to watch me in my first attempt to use a bike rack. I grabbed that black handle, feigning actual knowledge of how this was supposed to work, and lowered the rack to the open position. Much to my surprise, the rack was labeled with information on where to put my wheels, and I quickly lifted my bike to place the wheels in their designated positions. The yellow support arm looked tricky to handle, but I did figure out to pull it up to rest on my wheel to secure the bike. Loading the bike felt like longest thirty seconds of my life and I just knew that everyone was impatient for me to hurry it up so they could get this bus moving. I released my hands and the bike stayed put and I knew I did it; I put my bike on a SEPTA rack for the first time. I hopped up the stairs in triumph as I paid my fare and sat in the front to be sure I didn't cause any accidents in case I secured my bike incorrectly (I didn't, woohoo!). Turns out not one rider even looked in my direction as I loaded the bike and the bus driver was quite pleasant and patient- she must have thought I did this all the time. Still, I felt like a champion as I conquered the then-unknown task of loading a bike on a SEPTA rack.

Loading my bike on a bus bike rack was the easiest thing I've ever done and looking back, I am not sure why I was so nervous. Truthfully, the rack can look intimidating for the first time, and the wide open window where everyone may or may not be watching you load can also strike a nerve. But never fear riders, if you have yet to load a bike on public transportation SEPTA has a step-by-step guide on their website to get you comfortable with using a rack. Or check out the Bicycle Coaltion of Greater Philadelphia's videos on how to load a bicycle on public transportation. Best of luck to you all, and next time I'll try my luck with my bike on the subway!