Be multimodal: bus with a bike!

This is a transcription of some recent Twitter advice about how to load bikes on bus racks.

All Metrobuses and Ride On buses feature bike racks so your trip can be multimodal if you wish, without the constraints of using Capital Bikeshare. This is definitely useful in suburban Montgomery County, where many distances are not practical to bike in their entirety due to length and/or lacking infrastructure and/or terrain (the county is far from flat).

The racks accommodate many kinds of common wheel/frame sizes and bikes with fenders. I've even seen a folding bike once.

Although it may seem daunting to load/unload your bike on a bus rack, once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy and doesn't take too long.

Same! Even if I knew how to do it, I fear I'd choke under pressure and delay the bus and then everyone would hate me and make fun of me when I got on the bus, lol!

— Mr. T in DC (@MrTinDC) June 13, 2019

No one has made fun of me to date (to my knowledge) when I've taken my bike on the bus. Every so often I'll see buses on which someone has loaded their bike in Montgomery County. It's rare to see two bikes loaded at once though! I've only seen that happen once so far.

It is very simple and quick to place and remove the bike. It took me about 6 seconds for both maneuvers and the bus driver was very pleasant. I got off using the door near the driver to remind him I needed to get my bike.

— Natali Fani-Gonzalez (@natalifani) June 13, 2019

This nice video from Spokane demonstrates how to load and unload a bike on a bus. Most, if not all, transit systems use the same kind of racks (Sportworks), so the process doesn't vary much across regions.
WMATA has a video too, for those who're feeling local loyalty.
So does Ride On.

It would be useful if there were more opportunities to learn and practice how to do this, like how some jurisdictions have mounted bus bike racks at public buildings for people to practice on. Despite potential logistical hurdles, it'd also be useful if WABA could teach and demonstrate this in their City Cycling classes with an actual bus. I believe some car bike racks are made in a similar style to standard bus racks, so if you had access to one like that, it could be used for practice.

Some more tips:

• The most efficient way of doing things is to have the kickstand up as the bus arrives, steady the bike with one hand from the curb while using the other hand to grab the handle and unfold the rack (refold it when you remove your bike). 
• I find it's easiest to lift the bike into the rack by holding the seat tube with one hand and the head tube/somewhere near the handlebars with the other hand. Depending on your specific bike, the optimal exact grab locations might vary a bit. Watch out for the handlebars when loading/unloading the bike so they don't hit you in the head/face! 
• The clamp should go as far forwards on the tire as possible (as close to 12 o'clock as possible). It's secure; I've taken my bike on the express bus routes that run on I-270 and it's been fine. 
• Make sure you remove anything that might fall off your bike before you load it -- this could include things like water bottles or things in a basket. Lights should be fine to leave on if they're securely attached.
• If a number of people are boarding (and maybe adding value to their Smartrips), it doesn't delay the bus that much, especially if you're adept at the loading/unloading process. You can be done by the time the other people have boarded.
• When getting off the bus, use the front door and/or comment to the driver so the driver doesn't unknowingly drive off with your bike on the front!! (this has not happened to me, but it's certainly not impossible)