International Cyclists Get Piece Of Mind
American and Canadian cyclists will be happy to hear that the current International cycling quagmire is being improved. If you have attempted to bike across the bridge this summer, then you know how difficult it can be - especially the first time. Sometimes, there is no one to greet you on the Canadian side. And competing with the line of secondary referrals on the American side can be maddening.
Next year, the plan is to have dedicated personnel and turn-style stations to expedite cyclists from country to country. The Public Bridge Authority has recognized that there are major issues when it comes to promoting cross-border walks and treks. We crossed the bridge (on bike) a couple of weeks ago and found the excursion to be somewhat comical. We could have easily biked (or walked) right into Canada without even going through customs. Then, on the way back to The States, we found ourselves in an immigration nightmare - we were two of 100 people waiting to get access the country. Luckily we were told (by another friend) that cyclists are considered Primary Customers. Had we not known that, the ordeal could have taken hours.
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MEC
The US is very confusing, but bikers can go right into "door #2" when they cross into the US and go right up to the desk and they will look at your ID and ask you a few questions, its basically like going through a regular lane.
The Canadian side is pretty easy though, you ride along the right side of the bridge straight, follow the NEXUS lane and then there is a little door on the far right that you bring your bike right into and go through the back to be released into Canada. Just make sure you have ID.
The worst part of the trip is the potential of being blown into a tractor trailer if its windy on top of the bridge.
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buffalo2wheeler
The last time I rode back across the Peace Bridge on my bicycle, I missed the sign and ended up confused and walking my bike through the driveway area, where a nice US border agent screened me in the driveway and permitted me to continue home.
The passage into Canada was about the same, though, on the way over the bridge earlier--I didn't get the impression that their signage was any better, it was just more clear because of the way their lanes are so plainly set up for traffic, it kind of just moves bicyclists and pedestrians where they need to be.
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Brett
Great News. I've done it on numerous occasions, and once you know how to it is quite easy. Not many people have the opportunity to see Niagara Falls in their lifetime, and the fact that we can hop on a bike and ride there in an hour is a pretty amazing opportunity. The bike path along the river up to the falls is worth a ride if you've never done it. It's a long way up there, but maybe you can convince a friend to come pick you up.
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mycrows
MEC: The Canadian side is pretty easy though, you ride along the right side of the bridge straight, follow the NEXUS lane and then there is a little door on the far right that you bring your bike right into and go through the back to be released into Canada. Just make sure you have ID.
That's how it should work in theory (and sometimes it does). What queenseyes is saying is that there is rarely someone in that booth, probably because there are so few bikers/pedestrians crossing the bridge. He's probably wrong that he could have just walked into Canada--I wouldn't try that.
The system for bikers on the peace bridge as it is set up is actually pretty painless on both sides--MUCH better than driving--but there's just no direction or signs. So the first time you cross you will be very confused.
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MJWorthington
yes, once you know how to do it (as in walk right in to the US) where to go in Cnada, etc) is is not too bad. But the first times through are confusing. Even subsequent times through you are left wondering if anything has changed and if someone is going to yell at you for not doing it right.
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knock_knock
I think it was set up as cheap entertainment for the border patrol. It’s a comedy of errors the first time you do it and you know your being watched.
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BloCity
I always wondered why there wasn't any gate or turnstyle like there is on the Rainbow bridge. I rode my bike right past the station, nobody stopped me, i stood amazed. Speaking about biking over bridges, the pedestrian paths on the Grand Island bridges have been closed for years, and of course there is nobody doing any work, how ridiculous.
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