Commuting - which cities allow bikes on subways/trains during rush hour?

My neighbouring city does not allow bikes on the subway during peak hours and thus a lot of people cannot bike to work due to the subway rules. I am preparing a letter for my city councillor to try to rectify the issue. I would like to include a list of a few cities maybe 10 or so? That allow bikes on their public transportation network during peak hours. The city already has bike racks on buses, but streetcars and subways do not have any facilities.

Your input is appreciated!!!

Thanks

not DC!

I think bikes are not allowed on the T in Boston during rush hours and they are never allowed on the green line (the oldest line in the system with trains with steep stairs).

For the commuter rail around Boston, they are not allowed to travel during rush hours inbound in the morning and outbound in the evening and are allowed at all other times.

Unfortunately for cyclists and potential cyclists, the rules make sense if the trains are already packed during rush hour.

not DC!

Yup, the trains are packed with standing people as it is. I think they're a little lenient with the times as long as there's actually room for a bike--like the start and end of the "official" rush hour blocks.

Speaking of DC, I thought that they had a provision for allowing folding bikes (probably bagged/covered as well). I'll try looking for their rule when I get home.

Well..I just wanted to know if your city allowed it, or if anyone knew of cities which did. A simple solution to the 'packed' scenario, is to just reserve half a subway car (at the end) for bike use. that's all.

San Francisco Bay Area:
- Caltrain (SF-Gilroy) has the famous "bike cars" that are useable at all times.
- VTA Light Rail (Santa Clara County) has bike racks that are useable at all times.
- BART (SF-East Bay) I think has some rush hour restrictions and no bike racks. I am sure someone will fill us in on this one.

I have never seen them on Clevelands RTA Green or Red Lines (Rapid Transit), but the buses have the racks in front to carry them. Too bad---the Rapid Transit is so uch easier...

Tim C.

I have never seen them on Clevelands RTA Green or Red Lines (Rapid Transit), but the buses have the racks in front to carry them. Too bad---the Rapid Transit is so uch easier...

Tim C.

You can take bikes on the Rapid trains most times.

http://www.gcrta.org/ro_bike.asp

Denver light rail allows at all times on certain cars in specified area
Every bus has a bike rack on the front of it for 2 bikes

Well..I just wanted to know if your city allowed it, or if anyone knew of cities which did. A simple solution to the 'packed' scenario, is to just reserve half a subway car (at the end) for bike use. that's all.

Most cities, even if they did this, would wait for the one day it's sleeting and there's only two bikes in the car, and say, "See! No one uses it- I told you having a separate car for bikes during rush hour is a waste of money!"

Then we'd be right back where we started.

Denver light rail allows at all times on certain cars in specified area
Every bus has a bike rack on the front of it for 2 bikes

Same here, but with the proviso that they may, as they deem necessary, exclude bikes from the light rail during certain high capacity times.

you can bring a bike on NYC transit anytime, but there are a few guidelines:

http://www.mta.info/nyct/safety/bike/index.html

it works out just fine. there is really no need for cities to come up with complicated regulations regarding bikes. let people figure it out for themselves. if it works here, i'm sure it can work most other places as well.

Same here, but with the proviso that they may, as they deem necessary, exclude bikes from the light rail during certain high capacity times.

It's the same here... but I've never seen them actually do it. The light rail headed towards downtown in the morning is PACKED... standing room only, and I still see bikes crowded on there.

Miami's Metrorail allows bikes on the last car at all times...

You can take bikes on the Rapid trains most times.

http://www.gcrta.org/ro_bike.asp

Thanx! Learned sumpin' new today! Now, If I could just figure how to get my bike easily up the steps at the Puritas/W150th Station...

Tim C.

Minneapolis: http://www.metrotransit.org/serviceInfo/bikeOnTrain.asp , bikes discouraged in full trains.


- BART (SF-East Bay) I think has some rush hour restrictions and no bike racks. I am sure someone will fill us in on this one.
http://bart.gov/guide/bikes/bikeOverview.asp , first paragraph.

the Sounder trains in Seattle :

Passengers with Bicycles: Each Sounder car is equipped with tie-downs for two standard-size bikes. To locate the proper area for bike storage, board the car at the doors marked with a bike symbol. Passengers seated in this area should move when a rider with a bicycle boards the train or when asked by the train staff or security.
There is space for four additional bicycles in the vestibule of the car immediately inside the doors. Riders who store their bicycles in this area must remain with their bicycles. Unattended bicycles are subject to removal from the train at the next station. Sound Transit will not assume responsibility for bicycles which are removed.

Bicycles should not be stored in the Senior/Disabled priority seating area. On Sounder Commuter Rail this area is immediately inside the doors which are marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility. Passengers without disabilities should vacate these seats when asked by train staff or security.

Finally, please don't ride your bicycle on the platforms.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Federal Regulations (49 CFR Part 37, Sec. 37.167)

Anybody know about Chicago? I'm looking at colleges there (Columbia will be right downtown, but Wheaton is a little ways out) and I'd like to know about the rules for the L or whatever runs out to Wheaton. I know the buses have racks, I used them when I was there last.

My neighbouring city does not allow bikes on the subway during peak hours and thus a lot of people cannot bike to work due to the subway rules. You mean they cannot take a subway to work while carrying their bike. :p


I am preparing a letter for my city councillor to try to rectify the issue. I would like to include a list of a few cities maybe 10 or so? That allow bikes on their public transportation network during peak hours. I, frankly, could not imagine and certainly would not want to take a bike on a subway during rush hour. In fact, I don't particularly enjoy just taking myself there during rush hour - so damn crowded. There is no space for the bike. Even if there was a separate car for bikes (which is not going to happen, since the trains are jam-packed as it is), I'd still have a hard time just getting my bike to the platform and back.

Seriously, I don't see how this is going to be possible. The subway is coping with enough load as it is, without trying to fit bikes into it. What I would support is having covered, secure bike parking at subway stations (so you could bike to the subway and safely leave your bike there). Bike lockers are good, but you need to reserve them for long stretches - something of a drop-in nature would be nice. Maybe you could purchase a monthly pass to park at any subway station, to cover the cost of creating these parking areas.

Then there are always folding bikes.

the Sounder trains in Seattle Those are trains. That's quite different.

It would be nice if our local commuter train/bus company allowed bikes on trains during rush hour, and maybe set up some bike racks on their buses as well. But that's a separate issue.

I am preparing a letter for my city councillor to try to rectify the issue. I would like to include a list of a few cities maybe 10 or so? That allow bikes on their public transportation network during peak hours.

Thanks

Forget fighting the system because they are not about to remodel their trains for bicycle commuters. Start saving your money and get one of the three bikes below

1. Brompton - The best 16' inch wheel commuter folder on the market. You're not going to get a smaller fold and people bring it on the most crowded trains around the world. This bicycle is allowed on every train in the New York Metro during rush hour.

2. Strida - If your commute has no hills, this bike is just as ideal. In fact, you should have no trouble in a packed subway car since it folds like a baby buggy.

3. CarryMe - If your commute involves no hills and you're under 5'9, this bike is also ideal. There is a weight limitation but it's the best one to take if you're trains are packed or you need to take a bus. I would only choose this bicycle if the cycling potion of your commute was under 3 miles tops.

Those are your options and they are good ones. I've ridden all three and can recommend them so don't think for a second you cannot bring a bicycle inside a packed subway car. Forget the fight and join the fold!

Vancouver has recently lifted the ban on bikes during the rush hours, but limit cyclists to the last car. It can be really crammed though. I think they should remove all the seats from the last car for anyone with a large object such as luggage or bike etc.

DART (http://www.dart.org), here in Dallas allows bikes on all trains and buses at all times. We used to have a rush-hour ban, but they rolled it back, little by little, over the last three years.

San Francisco MUNI permits bikes on buses only. There are bike racks on the front of most buses.
For more information on MUNI (buses only): http://www.sfmta.com/cms/bcomm/BikesonMuni.htm

Other Bay Area transit agencies have their own rules and restrictions. For more information on other Bay Area transit (BART, Caltrain, Samtrans, AC Transit, Golden Gate Transit): http://www.sfmta.com/cms/bcomm/39544.html

2. Strida - If your commute has no hills, this bike is just as ideal. Strida is pretty fun. But I think I would rather get a scooter - cheaper, just as fast, and folds much smaller.

I have never seen them on Clevelands RTA Green or Red Lines (Rapid Transit), but the buses have the racks in front to carry them. Too bad---the Rapid Transit is so uch easier...

Tim C.

Bikes are now allowed on the trains during all hours of operation at the operators discretion.

What I would support is having covered, secure bike parking at subway stations (so you could bike to the subway and safely leave your bike there). Bike lockers are good, but you need to reserve them for long stretches - something of a drop-in nature would be nice. Maybe you could purchase a monthly pass to park at any subway station, to cover the cost of creating these parking areas.

Then there are always folding bikes.

my colleague's trip from the subway stop to our work is roughly 9km, but can't ride due to the ban. In fact, i figure a lot of people would ride if they had the opportunity. It can work, with common courtesy and patience.

DART (http://www.dart.org), here in Dallas allows bikes on all trains and buses at all times. We used to have a rush-hour ban, but they rolled it back, little by little, over the last three years.
I also just got this
Installation of bike carrier racks on buses will begin soon......First article testing should take about a week....The bike carrier racks on buses contractor will provide one crew to install the racks and DART will provide one bay at each division to complete the installation. It is estimated that the complete installation of the racks will take approximately 35 weeks. So all buses will have bike racks by this time next year.

Oh yea they are adding more bike lockers at most of the big transit centers as well.

Sacremanto Regional Transit light rail trains allow 4 bikes per rail car, (2 in front, 2 in rear, exepct the front rail car only 2 are allowed at the rear) on the last triain of the night the limit is removed.

Anybody know about Chicago? I'm looking at colleges there (Columbia will be right downtown, but Wheaton is a little ways out) and I'd like to know about the rules for the L or whatever runs out to Wheaton. I know the buses have racks, I used them when I was there last.

Metra is what you would take to get to Wheaton. No bikes allowed during rush hours. I'm not sure about the CTA trains in the city. You should be able to find what you need with a quick web search.

I take the Metra from the west burbs into the west side of Chicago to go to work. I have a bike in a bike locker where I get off the train in Chicago to get from the station to work and back. I'm not sure if the Metra station you would get off at to get to school in Wheaton has bike lockers, but it is something you could look into. A folder is another option, but I personally wouldn't want to carry it onto the train everyday.

hee hee hee... I took a bike on Denver light rail once as a tourist. I rented a road bike (Giant OCR1... possibly the nicest bike I've ever ridden) from Campus Cycles (I think) and made it clear down to Chatfield Reservoir... and had a flat. It was a rental... I had no repair kit! In spite of the efforts of two good samaritans, the tire remained flat and I had to walk it to the end of the Light Rail line to head back. Everything was fine until the system announced the stop in the wrong place and I got off one stop too far. Oh well! At least they only charged me for a half-day rental.

Technically the subway in Philadelphia does not allow bikes during peak hours but enforcement is about as lax as most laws in Philly

TTC has some buses with the bike racks up front - I'm not sure what the rush hour policy is, though...

Why are you taking the subway, anyhow? If you can ride to the subway, it might be possible to just ride along the route, especially if you are on the Bloor/Danforth line.

my colleague's trip from the subway stop to our work is roughly 9km, but can't ride due to the ban. In fact, i figure a lot of people would ride if they had the opportunity. They have the opportunity to ride. Just not to incorporate the subway as part of their commute during rush hour. I know what you mean, but I am surprised at your way to express it, so I feel compelled to fix things for you.

Yes, multimodal transportation is nice, no doubt. That's why I am all for bike lockers, covered parking at subway stations etc. This would work quite well for commuters.


It can work, with common courtesy and patience. Sorry, I have difficulty picturing it. Really do. At some stations during the morning rush hour I could just lift my feet up and the crowd would literally carry me onto the train. I can't imagine trying to bring a bike through such a thick human forest. Even when it's not that dramatic, it's pretty damn crowded - people have to squeeze into the subway cars. I would feel like a real ass bringing a bike in there even if it was allowed.

As much as I support cycling and multimodal commuting, I just don't see how this would be realistic.

TTC has some buses with the bike racks up front This should expand to all buses, too. I don't know if it's a done deal yet, but from what I heard, it's pretty likely to happen in a few years.

Sorry, I have difficulty picturing it. Really do. At some stations during the morning rush hour I could just lift my feet up and the crowd would literally carry me onto the train. I can't imagine trying to bring a bike through such a thick human forest. Even when it's not that dramatic, it's pretty damn crowded - people have to squeeze into the subway cars. I would feel like a real ass bringing a bike in there even if it was allowed.

Same here, which is why I'd already own a folding bike if I were using the subway with any regularity. I have some friends that live out in Vienna and usually hate trying to drive there because I-66 often goes to hell. They live somewhat near a Metro stop, but even that's a few miles away; if I could ride from the stop to their house, that'd be sweet.

TTC has some buses with the bike racks up front - I'm not sure what the rush hour policy is, though...

Why are you taking the subway, anyhow? If you can ride to the subway, it might be possible to just ride along the route, especially if you are on the Bloor/Danforth line.

It's not me it's a friend of mine. Buses are slow and not all the buses have racks yet

"Sorry, I have difficulty picturing it. Really do. At some stations during the morning rush hour I could just lift my feet up and the crowd would literally carry me onto the train. I can't imagine trying to bring a bike through such a thick human forest".

I think it could work..ur just not going to plow your way through....it just means you carry your bike a little slower through the crowds, that's all. I know a lot of people who would love to take their bikes on the subway cars to cut the distance down. Often myself I need to go downtown to run errands but I have to wait till rush hour is gone.... so I drive instead. The subway is just one line, the bike could take me from the line to my destination...since i'm not allowed to take it, i drive :(

The Coaster rail system serving coastal San Diego allows bikes at all times. / Why can't our society be a little more creative. All they would have to do is add on special cars for bike use in order to isolate bikers. . No problem.

Jeez, I wish we had subways/trains in Indianapolis.

I"Sorry, I have difficulty picturing it. Really do. At some stations during the morning rush hour I could just lift my feet up and the crowd would literally carry me onto the train. I can't imagine trying to bring a bike through such a thick human forest".

I think it could work..ur just not going to plow your way through....it just means you carry your bike a little slower through the crowds, that's all.

Your crowds must be lighter than ours, I'd guess -- there are moments where it seems almost like a Tokyo subway. The rest of the time, it's only like standing in a crowded elevator. I've sometimes taken off my backpack and kept it between my feet because there wasn't enough room to wear it. There's no way I'll take my bike on a subway train if it's that busy -- it'd just be rude.

Not only would you have to worry about whether you can maneuver your bike, but you'll also have people bumping into it, complaining about chain grease on their trousers or skirts, maybe even accidentally stepping on rims & spokes or getting their purse or briefcase straps caught on the bars.

A folding bike (sorry about repeating myself) with small wheels and a tight fold would be an excellent choice.

In Atlanta, bikes are allowed on trains/subways and buses 24 hours a day.

The Coaster rail system serving coastal San Diego allows bikes at all times. / Why can't our society be a little more creative. All they would have to do is add on special cars for bike use in order to isolate bikers. . No problem.


For our system, they would need to extend each platform, at no small expense, and then they would have to choose between accomodating 20-30 cyclists or several hundred riders - I'm a cyclist, and I would vote against having the special cars, there are better things the city could do with 100 million dollars than accomodate 20-30 cyclists per train. I say extend the trains if you can, but not for cyclists - they have their own means of transportation. Putting more secure parking for bikes at stations instead is what I would like to see.

The issue we have is that the system is running at capacity at rush hour (between 7:30-9:30 or so in the a.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.) every bike they put on a train takes up the room of several people, and is much more difficult to navigate through doors and up stairs. Some people choose not to take the subway at these times because it is too crowded. We are actually getting into a situation where it is getting difficult for me to take my hockey equipment on the train Saturday mornings, as the trains are getting full(ish) then too. I can see a time 10 years from now when the trains are packed all day long.

Portland, OR: No restrictions on light rail train (MAX).

Oh yeah, just reminded myself --


Some people choose not to take the subway at these times because it is too crowded.

This is a good excuse to hang around for Happy Hour. :D

For our system, they would need to extend each platform, at no small expense, and then they would have to choose between accomodating 20-30 cyclists or several hundred riders - I'm a cyclist, and I would vote against having the special cars, there are better things the city could do with 100 million dollars than accomodate 20-30 cyclists per train. +1. If you want to increase hostility of the general public towards cyclists, this is a great way to go.


I say extend the trains if you can, but not for cyclists - they have their own means of transportation. Putting more secure parking for bikes at stations instead is what I would like to see. ^ What he said.

The only issue with increasing bike parking at the stations is that some cyclists have to ride a substantial distance at both ends of the train ride.

I used to use our light rail system on a regular basis. I rode 5 miles to the train station, switched trains downtown to get to the last stop. Then I had another 8 miles to ride to work. Of course, here in Dallas, the trains and buses are rarely crowded.

If we had packed train cars, I would surely have needed a folding bike.

You guys have it good. In Singapore, no full-sized bikes in the subway, and only folding bikes during off-peak hours. And even that is already a recent win for us.

San Francisco Bay Area:
- Caltrain (SF-Gilroy) has the famous "bike cars" that are useable at all times.
- VTA Light Rail (Santa Clara County) has bike racks that are useable at all times.
- BART (SF-East Bay) I think has some rush hour restrictions and no bike racks. I am sure someone will fill us in on this one.

Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) allows bikes (there is a bike car).
Amtrack's Capitol Corridor Express train also allows bikes in their bike car.

In Atlanta, bikes are allowed on trains/subways and buses 24 hours a day.
Linky: http://itsmarta.com/howto/bikes.htm