ACE and SVBC: A Commute Worth Raving About

Last May was Bike Month, which meant more people were taking a fresh look at how they get around—whether it’s for commuting, errands, or just getting outside.

ACE and the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) teamed up to celebrate riders who are doing something simple, yet powerful: combining biking with public transit. We interviewed three ACE riders, who bike in addition to taking the train, to learn what they enjoy most about their commute and what they want others to know who are curious to make the switch.

Barbara Ledesma Rhinehalt, the Program Manager with the SVBC, finds her bike and train commute “the most convenient, affordable, and health-conscious commute options. It’s a no brainer.” Kendra Toy, the Education Program Manager with the SVBC, says, “There’s no traffic. No road rage. My commute is actually restful, and I walk into the office calm and ready to start my day.” Kendra and Barbara aren’t the only two ACE riders that roll onto the platform in cycle-style. Pavan Lanka, ACE Rider Advisory Group Member, adds that biking “feels like meditation. And getting to work out for an hour is an added bonus.”

Barbara, Kendra, and Pavan are just three of the many ACE commuters who bike and take the train as part of their daily commute. Combined, they have commuted this way for over 13 years. For them, bike-train-commuting has changed their lives for the better. Whether you are a recreational biker, a frequent cyclist commuter, or simply curious about giving this commute style a try, read further to learn about what motivates them to make this lifestyle choice, rain or shine!

Benefits of Bike-Train-Commuting

For Barbara, bike-train-commuting sets the tone for the day. She finds that pedaling to the train station in the early morning is a refreshing way to start her commute. Pavan discovered a different benefit when he switched to biking after experiencing motion sickness in stop-and-go traffic. For the past 11 years, biking the first leg of his commute has provided a more comfortable and enjoyable alternative, allowing him to fully appreciate what he describes as a “tranquil experience” on two wheels.

Photo 1. Pavan Lanka captures a rainbow while biking on the Bayshore Trail.

In addition to supporting physical and mental wellbeing, bike-train-commuting is friendlier to your wallet. As Kendra points out, it is “way more economical than driving back and forth in [a] car, with gas and maintenance.” Aside from occasional repairs, biking costs very little and offers something even more precious: time. Rather than spending a commute stuck in traffic, riders can use their travel time in ways that help them arrive at work feeling refreshed. Instead of waking up and driving to work, which leaves her “bored and grumpy,” Kendra can get her "body and mind warmed up in the morning with a short bike ride to the station [and] relax on the train and take in beautiful views." For these riders, their commute has been transformed from something that felt like it had to be endured to being a truly enjoyable journey.

Beyond the practical benefits, Barbara, Kendra, and Pavan all experience the blossoming of friendship and community that comes with bike-train-commuting. Whether it’s seeing friends in bike groups, fist bumping with old high school English teachers, or deepening work friendships, the regular interactions that biking to the station and spending more time on board have made possible meaningful differences in their lives. Barbara says it makes her “feel more connected to the people around [her].”

This sense of connection often extends beyond the commute itself. Since Kendra began biking to the train station, she has spent more time exploring her neighborhood streets and discovering places she might have missed. She recently found a new local gym along her bike route to the train station. "I likely wouldn’t have found it or checked it out had I commuted by car instead of by bike and train,” she reflected. Similarly, Pavan has found a group of cyclists who ride together and give him a “sense of camaraderie and belonging.” In an environment where the default transportation method is by car, choosing to bike and ride transit is a powerful way to be more involved in your community and strengthen your social connections.

It’s Easy to Get Started

Our fellow ACE and bike riders make it clear this style of commuting improves their quality of life and they encourage others to give it a try. To use Barbara’s words, “You just need some curiosity to find the right route for you,” and ACE wants to help make that choice a little easier.

Even if you’ve never taken ACE before, you can try riding the train for no additional cost by taking advantage of ACE’s free test ride, which offers first-time riders 4 free one-way tickets between two of their preferred stations.

Once you’ve got your ticket, bringing your bike on board is simple. Riders can roll their bicycles into the designated slots in one of the three bike carriages per train, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Photo 2. Kendra Toy posing with her bike in front of the ACE train.

Kendra and Barbara invite you to join SVBC, ACE, and communities across the Bay Area for an “active and happier start to [your] day” and “to stand out in the best way.”

Why SVBC Cares

The experiences shared by Barbara, Kendra, and Pavan illustrate exactly why SVBC works to make biking a real transportation option for more people. Through advocacy for safer streets, better infrastructure, and policies that support active transportation, SVBC is helping make biking not only a recreational activity, but also a practical, enjoyable everyday way to get people where they need to go.

Together, ACE and SVBC are helping create more opportunities for people to safely combine biking and transit, expanding access to affordable, healthy, and connected transportation choices throughout the region.

For more information on ACE, visit acerail.com.

We’ll see you on board soon!