General Cycling Discussion - Bikes On Metra

http://www.state.il.us/ltgov/forms/petitions/metra_petition.aspx


Hello All You Good People,
An initiative is trying to get passed that would allow bicycles on Metra commuter trains. If you would please follow the link and sign the petition you may keep one car off the road, saving the planet just a little. Also, please forward this link to as many people as possible. We did it with Kryptonite, we can do it with Metra. We've been trying 20 years and are hoping 2005 is the year we finally win. Thanks so much.


Attention Joe, Koffee, can we post this somewhere that will guarantee maximum exposure.?

Don't get me wrong, I just signed the petition. I've been taking Metra 5 days a week for the last 10 years and the last time I talked to a conductor about bikes on the train they were very against it.

Their big issue with bikes on the train is that it will undoubtedly screw up the schedule. They have the automatic wheelchair ramps because of ADD, but if there is no law that demands they carry bikes, they won't do it.

I would love to twist their arms and make them take my bike on the train, I would be quick and efficient and not make the train late, but imagine a few dozen six year children taking the train from winnetka to hubbard woods for a kindergarden field trip. Imagine they all had bikes they wanted to carry. Okay, now imagine the big businessman trying to get from Chicago to lake forest.

metra is not going to let this happen without a fight.

Bikes are allowed on the trains here in LA. It's quite possibly one of the greatest most helpful things in the world. I mean, that and the fact that most buses are equipped with bike racks as well. I hope you guys get that legal support, good luck.

in most cities bikes are allowed on the rail system, i'm very surprised the chicago area doesn't....even atlanta which has the worst transit ever allows bikes on marta...seattle doesn't have a rail system but has bike racks on the buses

Bikes are allowed on the trains here in LA. It's quite possibly one of the greatest most helpful things in the world. I mean, that and the fact that most buses are equipped with bike racks as well.

Same in Cleveland...always on the cutting edge....

the idea is to allow bikes during off peak hours (non rush) and weekends.

Even the MBTA which had, until just recently, among the most restrictive regulations for bikes on subways allows them on the commuter rail.

metra is not going to let this happen without a fight.
regardless, we are digging in too.

Yeah, I was going to say the same thing. They wont let me take one on the green line when going into town (though you can on most other colors) so I had to use the commuter rail to get my bike downtown. There is a lot more room to put bikes on a commuter train - thats why this seems strange (though they wont let you on with a bike during peak times).

I actually live right by the metra - goes RIGHT in back of my apt :mad: - so this might be useful to me. But then again the bike path along the lake is a few blocks over.



Even the MBTA which had, until just recently, among the most restrictive regulations for bikes on subways allows them on the commuter rail.

the idea is to allow bikes during off peak hours (non rush) and weekends.

They should look at BART in SF for a model. They allow bikes only during off peak and weekends. Seems to work from everything I've read. Although ideally the should allow bike all the time to increase ridership, which is hopefully the goal of any public transit system. They should work with what the riders want not dictate who can and who can't ride. Oh well, my 2 cents (which I'm sure I'll get change back)

They should look at BART in SF for a model. They allow bikes only during off peak and weekends. Seems to work from everything I've read. Although ideally the should allow bike all the time to increase ridership, which is hopefully the goal of any public transit system. They should work with what the riders want not dictate who can and who can't ride. Oh well, my 2 cents (which I'm sure I'll get change back)

problem is that one bike = 2 to 3 people and put a disaster into the picture and you have an even bigger disaster. A train full of people will self evacuate, a train mixed with bikes would be a freakin mess.

Don't get me wrong, I just signed the petition. I've been taking Metra 5 days a week for the last 10 years and the last time I talked to a conductor about bikes on the train they were very against it.

Their big issue with bikes on the train is that it will undoubtedly screw up the schedule. They have the automatic wheelchair ramps because of ADD, but if there is no law that demands they carry bikes, they won't do it.

I would love to twist their arms and make them take my bike on the train, I would be quick and efficient and not make the train late, but imagine a few dozen six year children taking the train from winnetka to hubbard woods for a kindergarden field trip. Imagine they all had bikes they wanted to carry. Okay, now imagine the big businessman trying to get from Chicago to lake forest.

metra is not going to let this happen without a fight.

Can't remember the last time I saw a family and all of them with their bikes on a train, isn't that why they make SUVs?

People have their bikes on the subways here all the time, not really a big problem. Of course rush hour you are suppose to use first or last car and not permitted on our train line during rush hour.

problem is that one bike = 2 to 3 people and put a disaster into the picture and you have an even bigger disaster. A train full of people will self evacuate, a train mixed with bikes would be a freakin mess.
Wrong thinking, friend. It works fine here in Washington DC- currently the most paranoid security laden city in the country. Bikes ride metro except rush hours, not allowed on escalators, first and last train cars only, and you cant load on the middle door. It works, no longer a controversy here. We have bike racks on every single metro bus also, can ride all times, no extra charge. It took a long time and a lot of attitude shifting, but its the right thing to do.

problem is that one bike = 2 to 3 people and put a disaster into the picture and you have an even bigger disaster. A train full of people will self evacuate, a train mixed with bikes would be a freakin mess.

but a person using bart with 5 large bags taking up 2-4 seats with their luggage on the way to the airport is just fine right? honestly bikes take up less space than a person with 2 large carry ons and a rolling suitcase.....

and while we're at it, in the event of a disaster, i'll be damned if i'm leaving my bike behind...to hell with what that sign says about leaving your bike behind..... :eek:

another option are manned bike locking stations....like in the downtown berkeley bart station, and bike lockers....but i think there should be cyclist only cars as well as bratty kid free cars as well as cellphone free cars.....

end rant now...

petition signed.

Good luck.

the NYC subways allow bikes at all times (although they suggest avoiding rush hours...understandable) i've never seen a problem with it at all. people seem to have a good sense on when to bring a bike on or not. somehow it works fine. petition signed.

but a person using bart with 5 large bags taking up 2-4 seats with their luggage on the way to the airport is just fine right? honestly bikes take up less space than a person with 2 large carry ons and a rolling suitcase.....

and while we're at it, in the event of a disaster, i'll be damned if i'm leaving my bike behind...to hell with what that sign says about leaving your bike behind..... :eek:

another option are manned bike locking stations....like in the downtown berkeley bart station, and bike lockers....but i think there should be cyclist only cars as well as bratty kid free cars as well as cellphone free cars.....

end rant now...

I like the idea of 1 or 2 bike cars. From both a congestion and a social stand point. The idea of everyone in the car commuting by bike would lead to great conversation.

I like the idea of 1 or 2 bike cars. From both a congestion and a social stand point. The idea of everyone in the car commuting by bike would lead to great conversation.

exactly! AND, if people have fun doing it, chances are they'll ride their bikes more often. some people need to know that there are others out there before they join in. i'm all for it.

and while we're at it, in the event of a disaster, i'll be damned if i'm leaving my bike behind...to hell with what that sign says about leaving your bike behind..... :eek:



My point exactly!

My point exactly!

judging by some of those i have met while riding to and from....we'd be better off without those that i could save instead of carrying my bike out of harms' way.....
:D :D

ok enough of this.....

time to go outside and ride......

for clarification to non-chicagoans......

The CTA who manages/operates the "L" train system allows bikes on trains except during rush hours.

The METRA is a larger, commuter-type system that reaches like 7-8 counties, which does NOT allow bikes on trains.

If you've ever ridden on a METRA train, it is SUPER tight! I can't imagine WHERE I'd put my bike, except in the loading/unloading areas of the train. It might require an entire train car!

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have METRA accept bikes...its just a tall proposition, thats all.

signed it.

For clarification....are the metra trains a amtrak commuter? On our amtrak commuter line between Sacramento and SF there are 6 hooks per car for bikes.

Metra would be more like Caltrain, sort of. Caltrain serves a large corridor though and being only one line it's not really a traditional hub and spoke system. Metra is a commuter rail system designed to provide suburban rail service into the city center.

This would be similar to the MBTA Commuter Rail here in Eastern Mass (generally considered to be the benchmark for US commuter rail systems actually) or the Metro-North system around NYC.

Metra (Chicago suburban rail transit) reportedly today responded that the only available space would be space reserved for wheelchairs and they don't plan to eliminate that.

Metra cars, unlike many around the country, do not have commuters sitting at one level--most, if not all, are bi-level, and require stepping up from the ground about 5 steps, in a narrow vestibule, then immediately making a R or L right-angle turn through self-closing sliding doors. It's not a configuration similar to CTA train cars which have a large open area right at the double-wide doorway (and like Wash DC metro, or Bart in SF). There is no space at the entrance/door for bikes without impeding traffic, at least on cars of the current design.

Possibly somebody at Metra envisions accidents such as Rachel Barton experienced with her cello.

CTA is not the problem. Many buses now have racks to fit bikes on the front.

Petition signed. Metra actually already tried a bikes okay pilot program that went
horribly wrong on all counts. It was completely restricted on when & how one
was allowed to bring a bike on board.

I think the solution is to have 1 car for just bikes where people can lock 'em up.
This would ease congestion & prevent traffic jams during emergencies.

And Rachel Barton doesn't play the cello. Read up on her story if you get a chance
because Metra's handling of a very serious problem is proof of why I have no
confidence in them providing something like a convenient bike program.

jeff

Rachel's story had to do with the CTA, and in that case, it had to do with them being negligent with ensuring all passengers cleared the doors before jetting off to the next stop. I don't think the emergency button in the car worked either to alert the engineer driving the train (still doesn't either- remember the woman that got raped on the blue line a couple of weeks ago and she said the emergency button did not work?). Also, Rachel had a violin, not a cello.

Metra is very good at ensuring everyone's indoors before they close the door, and they have several conductors walking the platforms when they get to a stop. It's worked well for them for years- at least 30 years, and possibly longer, so I don't think that's the problem.

I just don't think Metra wants to go that extra mile towards being bike friendly. It is so easy in other countries to add an extra "bicycle car", where you can lock your bike, then walk to the other part of the train to sit. There is no need to even have a bike in the passenger cars at all. They don't have the vision to fathom that something like this can be done.

They are also cheap. I find it ridiculous that we have to pay $5 in order to transport our bikes. It shouldn't cost us anything. In some cases, we'd be paying more to transport our bikes than ourselves.

If they set up a separate car for bikes only, we shouldn't be restricted on when we can bring our bikes on the train. But at the very least, they should allow for the two bikes per car, as they do with the CTA trains, and restrictions of bikes during rush hour (6am- 9am, and 5pm- 7pm) if they don't go for a bike car.

I don't have a lot of faith in Metra. They are a bunch of lazy, one-dimensional thinking, SOB's, and also, we do have to consider that metra is a bunch of contracted, quasi-government entities- train companies (ie Union Pacific, Burlington Northern, Heritage Corridor, and Milwaukee District, to name a few). They all are contracted to run for Metra to provide services for the Chicago suburbs and Illinois communities. I would think it would mean all those entities would have to agree to uniform guidelines, and I don't see that happening.

Koffee

as with koffee's comments: agreed.

rachel barton's case was Metra & the issue was Metra started a policy of NOT having conductors check if passengers were on board before the train began moving instead relying on the new automated doors. Her strap to her violin case was caught but was too thin to trigger the doors to automatically open & she was dragged. Now Metra is back to having conductors check. Another example of Metra trying to save a buck in inefficent & dangerous ways.

jeff

Whoops, my bad.

Odd... I always remember them checking to ensure everyone boarded before closing the doors. Perhaps they only do this with Metra Electric?

Regardless, Metra is a cheapskate organization with little vision, and they would do anything to keep everything status quo rather than accomodate for special circumstances.

Koffee

Wrong thinking, friend. It works fine here in Washington DC- currently the most paranoid security laden city in the country. Bikes ride metro except rush hours, not allowed on escalators, first and last train cars only, and you cant load on the middle door. It works, no longer a controversy here. We have bike racks on every single metro bus also, can ride all times, no extra charge. It took a long time and a lot of attitude shifting, but its the right thing to do.

Mostly true. You can use any car not just first and last car but only 2 bikes at each end of car (4 per car max = 24 bikes per 6 car train, there is never this much demand yet).

Rachel dropped her very expensive, but INSURED violin under a METRA train and went to go pick it up. The conductors failed to properly look and see that nobody was still getting off or under the train when it started to roll. A cello would be a lot harder to drop down there :)

Rachel Barton is a great player, don’t get me wrong. But she was dumb to go under the train after it.

Now conductors are very careful before closing the doors, and actually step off the trains.

The rear metra car, always a new one (on non electric lines) has enough room to accommodate something like five or six wheelchairs. Maybe they could do something like the CTA does. I used to commute into Chicago and NEVER saw more than one wheelchair bound person on there at a time. But I guess you have to be careful. .
Remember: If METRA wanted to, they could reconfigure another car by simply removing one or two seats to accommodate bicycles.

Just keep in mind: exits need to stay clear on the metra trains, and there needs to be space so that bikes do not block the stairwells to the upper deck, or the lavatories.

I'm all for it, though. There is way too much anti-bike sentiment around Chicago. (I'll make a post complaining about that later.)

Some of this crap baffles me. The entire RTA system, save metra, is bike friendly.

deal with the CTA trains in chicago is 2 bikes per car, and depending on who is operating the train, no bikes allowed in the first car.
Also no bikes during rush hour, or whenever else the folks at the station feel like giving you a hard time.

That's not true at all.

Rachel was getting off the train with a number of things around her neck- like purse, satchel, violin, etc. As the doors closed, it caught on her violin strap and began to pull her along. She states that she could not let go, and the train pulled her along as it gained velocity, and eventually severed her leg as the train left the platform and pulled her under it.

According to your story, if she went to pick up her violin that dropped between the platform, then it would have been her ARM, not her LEG that was severed.

The problem with METRA was that they tried to cover it all up and came out with the story that she was at fault- trying to reach between the platform and train.

Here's the story, just in case:
http://www.cliffordlaw.com/press/detail.aspx?sctnID=389&pgID=35003&prssrmID=000000417100

I still say they can add one car per train and just dedicate it to bike storage only. People with bikes would simply board the last car with their bikes, affix it to a hook and lock it, then travel to the front of the car and continue onto the train to find a seat. Then that would reduce the need to limit bikes to non-rush hour only. There's no reason to tell people that if you work during normal working hours, you should be penalized with not being able to take your bike into the city. If you could do something to reduce the crush of taxis, buses and traffic during Chicago rush hours, you should do it.

Koffee

The problem with METRA was that they tried to cover it all up and came out with the story that she was at fault- trying to reach between the platform and train. ...

There's no reason to tell people that if you work during normal working hours, you should be penalized with not being able to take your bike into the city. If you could do something to reduce the crush of taxis, buses and traffic during Chicago rush hours, you should do it.

Well,
Metra more tried blaming the victim, not covering it up. (There were too many witnesses, too much media attention, and unbounded sympathy for her disasterous injury for a cover-up.) Obviously the jury didn't agree with Metra's lawyers (nor did the appellate court) but I think the primary argument Metra made was that Barton's claim about high expected income was speculative.

Regardless of that circumstance, Metra's not motivated to reconfigure their equipment in part because they have a federally-mandated minimum allocation for wheelchair use; even if it goes unused it still has to be available. It's easy for someone sitting in a handicapped designated seat to move, but it would be comparatively difficult on a crowded train to unhook a bike and move it, particularly if there is no remaining space for a bike.

More to the point of the petition, Metra is not motivated to accommodate cyclists when Metra is not likely to lose a bike-owning customer who can't bring a bike on board. They will get the cyclist's fare in any event. Once passengers get from suburb to downtown or vice-versa, Metra regards their mission of mass transit as accomplished. Bike riders pressuring Metra directly is unlikely to change the agency mindset.

And as to not checking for passengers properly, CTA is more dangerous since they now only have 1 operator in the front of each train who may not be able to see 8 cars back (even with platform cameras). Likewise, there usually are incidents reported each year of CTA bus drivers who close front doors on passengers and drag them. Metra is not uniquely incompetent.

Can't remember the last time I saw a family and all of them with their bikes on a train, isn't that why they make SUVs?

People have their bikes on the subways here all the time, not really a big problem. Of course rush hour you are suppose to use first or last car and not permitted on our train line during rush hour.

These guys are killing me. lol

It goes to show you how lucky we are in New York City. Anyone with a bicycle can board the most packed subway during rush hour and it is allowed! I've seen it done!! I've never seen a problem with bikes on trains because there are so few of them. When I do see a bike on a train, it's usually during non rush hour because people in general do not bring their bicycles to work.

I'm glad Transportation Alternatives fought hard to allow bikes on trains 24/7. It's too bad the people in Chicago don't have a similar group.

I live in New Jersey and our commuter trains have no place to put a bicycle except the handicap station. We are only allowed to bring the bikes during off-peak and non-rush hour but folding bikes are ALWAYS allowed. It never creates a problem and these so called disasters are all in your mind. I've never delayed a train or caused a problem bringing my bicycle on boad. Never. Furthermore, people in wheel chairs hardly ever ride on commuter trains. I don't know why. Maybe it's because most of them ride bus lines but for some reason, I've only seen a wheel chaired passenger boad a commuter train once in my life!

the NYC subways allow bikes at all times (although they suggest avoiding rush hours...understandable) i've never seen a problem with it at all. people seem to have a good sense on when to bring a bike on or not. somehow it works fine. petition signed.

I've ridden on the #5 Lexington Avenue Express with a bicyle messenger right next to me during rush hour! For those folks who don't know the situation, the #5 is probably the most packed subway train in the city only exceeded by some rail lines in the London undergound.

Bikes on trains -- It can be done.

Metra (Chicago suburban rail transit) reportedly today responded that the only available space would be space reserved for wheelchairs and they don't plan to eliminate that.

Metra cars, unlike many around the country, do not have commuters sitting at one level--most, if not all, are bi-level, and require stepping up from the ground about 5 steps, in a narrow vestibule, then immediately making a R or L right-angle turn through self-closing sliding doors. It's not a configuration similar to CTA train cars which have a large open area right at the double-wide doorway (and like Wash DC metro, or Bart in SF). There is no space at the entrance/door for bikes without impeding traffic, at least on cars of the current design.

Possibly somebody at Metra envisions accidents such as Rachel Barton experienced with her cello.

CTA is not the problem. Many buses now have racks to fit bikes on the front.

This sounds like our MARC (commuter train from BAlto to DC). No bikes allowed. I don't see how bikes could get onto the train(easily) because of the design however wheel chairs have no problem. I guess bikes will have to use the lift. The lift varies from stop to stop. Some platforms are elevated others are not. I use 2 bikes. Solves the problem short term. One bikes spends the night in one of the bike boxes the other spends the day chained to a rail(safe neighborhood). 2 bikes have their problems, beaters are used, attaching and detaching lights, odo, locks etc BUT I've gotten use to it. Would be nice to use 1 nice bike however. Charlie

Today's Chicago Tribune (city edition) reports that a bill has been introduced into the Illinois House to require Metra to allow bikes on trains. From the story it appears that Metra has been "studying" the issue, has not yet met with bike federation leaders, and continues to state that they would have to take space away from handicapped riders.

I was not aware before reading the article that Metra during warm months does allow bikes on some non-rush hour trains; which routes, how many trains or how often wasn't IIRC specified.

Bill would let cyclists take their bikes on Metra

By Virginia Groark
Tribune staff reporter
Published January 30, 2005


Chicago-area legislators have taken up the cause of bicyclists, introducing a bill last week to require Metra to allow bikes on board its trains during off-peak hours.

State Rep. Marlow Colvin (D-Chicago) sponsored the legislation that would require Metra to adopt rules to allow commuters to bring bikes on trains. At a minimum, bikes would be allowed on Metra trains during the weekends and non-rush-hour periods under the proposal.

Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove), one of the bill's co-sponsors, said he believes allowing bikes on trains would increase access to public transportation.

"I've always felt that we need to look at all different modes of transportation to make it easier for people to reach their destinations," Mathias said.

The Chicago Transit Authority and Pace allow bikes on their vehicles, and Metra has permitted people with reservations to take bikes on trains on certain days in the summer in recent years. But Metra officials have resisted allowing bikes on trains on a daily basis, primarily because of space issues. The area where a bicycle would fit on a Metra train is the same area reserved for riders with disabilities.

The legislation is part of an ongoing concerted effort to persuade Metra to relax its bike rules. Earlier this month, cyclists and Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn held a news conference on the issue, launched an online petition and submitted an administrative petition, asking Metra to change their policy.

Metra spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet said the agency hopes to sit down with the biking enthusiasts and resolve the issue before it's required by law. The agency is formulating a response to the administrative petition but has not scheduled a meeting with the movement's supporters, she added.

"Our biggest concern is accommodating our current passengers, with particular emphasis on our passengers with disabilities," Pardonnet said. "If we can do that and accommodate the recreational cyclists, certainly we will do our best."

Mathias said such concerns could be raised at a committee hearing on the legislation.

"They will have to convince the members of the committee that this idea is not practical, or it's too cost-prohibitive or it just can't be done," he said. "I'm taking the view that it will encourage people to take the trains, which obviously will mean more revenue for the system."

from an email I just received:

HB 467, requiring Metra to allow bikes on board passed the House Mass Transit Committee on February 10. The bill now goes in front of full House of Represenatives. *

How you can help...

1. *Get your friends and neighbors to sign the online petition at www.Bike.Illinois.gov
2. *Encourage your legislators to support HB 467. *Contact information is available at www.ilga.gov. *

Thank you,
Lt. Governor Pat Quinn

problem is that one bike = 2 to 3 people and put a disaster into the picture and you have an even bigger disaster. A train full of people will self evacuate, a train mixed with bikes would be a freakin mess. the San Diego trolley system works in a description like this. in terms of amount of available space. Only allowed, if the front/back of the car has a bike already parked. That is the 1st priority space. Very crummy system. Incl. those who ride it.

the San Diego trolley system works in a description like this. in terms of amount of available space. Only allowed, if the front/back of the car has a bike already parked. That is the 1st priority space. Very crummy system. Incl. those who ride it. And the leveling of the stair are so steep, You are far more likely to lose yur balance during the carrying of yur bike onto the car. ----As the (central) pole that holds the door-open button is standing between the folding doors. Above those steep stairs. {keep in mid of those coming out of the car**

Metra does allow folding bikes if they are bagged .An ideal situation would be a separate bike car , allowing fullsize bikes it would have overhead racks and hooks just hook your bicycle wheel on.This was actually in existence before the interstates after the train systems were subverted this all went away.It might be smart for metra to have bike excursion cars on weekends with limited stops.This would allow carriage of more bikes but keep them out of the passenger cars.Rachel Barton plays the violin.

Yesterday, the House of Representatives unanimously approved HB 467, requiring Metra to allow bikes on board. The bill now moves to the Senate. Call your Senators to express support. Contact information is available at www.ilga.gov. *Track the progress of HB 467 at www.Bike.Illinois.gov. *

For bicyclists, Metra to be another way to ride

By Jon Hilkevitch
Tribune transportation reporter
Published March 12, 2005


Metra plans to allow bikes on trains during non-rush hours on weekdays starting in June, bending like a loose spoke to pressure from state legislation that would officially extend commuter rights to bicyclists.

The bike proposal, presented with an obvious tinge of reluctance to the Metra board on Friday for an expected vote next month, signals a long-awaited backpedaling from Metra's opposition to permitting bikes on Chicago-area commuter trains.

"We are responding to a very small number of people who have become very vocal," Metra chairman Jeffrey Ladd said after the board viewed a video of a demonstration in which bikes were carried onto Metra trains and secured in unused wheelchair-storage areas on the coach cars.

Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn and biking advocates disagreed with Ladd that the change is supported by only a small number of squeaky wheels.

Potential users of the service would go far beyond people who want to transport their bikes to forest preserve trails, they said, challenging Metra to market bikes on trains as a way to make transit work better in the region.

"It's also about access to jobs. There are a lot of working people who don't have access to the bus system from the Metra stations," said Randy Neufeld, chief strategic officer at the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. The bike group has been prodding Metra to allow bikes on trains for 15 years.

Quinn recently backed legislation, sponsored by State Rep. Marlow Colvin (D-Chicago) and passed in the House, that would require Metra to allow bikes on its trains during off-peak hours.

Under Metra's proposal, bicycles would be prohibited on weekday trains arriving in Chicago before 9:30 a.m. and leaving Chicago between 3 and 6:30 p.m.

Bikes also would be banned on trains during the Taste of Chicago and on trains leaving Chicago between noon and 6:30 p.m. on the Fridays before Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Bikes would be permitted on all weekend trains except during major events in downtown Chicago.

A maximum of two bicycles would be allowed in the wheelchair storage areas on accessible trains if those areas are vacant. Bikes would not be allowed to block aisles or vestibules.

Metra has more than 400 cars that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Bicyclists would be required to leave the train if the wheelchair space were needed by disabled riders.

In addition, bicyclists would have to be at least 18 years old if traveling alone. Riders ages 12 through 17 must be accompanied by an adult, and children younger than 12 would not be permitted to travel with a bicycle.

Though bike access has become commonplace on bus and rail systems nationwide--including the CTA and Pace--bicycles have been banned on Metra trains since the commuter railroad was created in 1984, with the exception of folding bikes and a limited bike reservation system on some summer weekends.


thank you, thank you all very much

Have they dropped the $5 bike charge for transporting bikes?

Also, are they still requiring you to call ahead and reserve for your bike to be on a specific train, or is it more like CTA now?

It's all good, but if they still have those crazy rules in effect I mentioned, it's not as great a victory as we think.


Koffee

A maximum of two bicycles would be allowed in the wheelchair storage areas on accessible trains if those areas are vacant. Bikes would not be allowed to block aisles or vestibules.

Metra has more than 400 cars that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Bicyclists would be required to leave the train if the wheelchair space were needed by disabled riders.



While I obviously respect the need for disabled people to stow away their wheelchairs on the train, I stunned that Metra expects cyclists to leave the train. If they mean simply move to another car, that is understandable. If they mean the cyclist must get off and wait for the next train, that is not acceptable.

Just wondering how this issue is turning out. I googled, but all I get are pages talking about the bill being proposed.

When will bikes be allowed on Metra? Will it cost more dough? Limits on times and trains?

Is there a site that keeps up-to-date info on this?

Metra OKs bicycles on trains
Board tours new restroom-equipped Electric Line cars

By Virginia Groark
Tribune staff reporter
Published May 20, 2005, 2:07 PM CDT

Suburban cyclists who want to take a spin on Chicago's lakefront and city residents who want to head to the collar counties for a bike ride can bring their wheels aboard certain Metra trains starting June 1, the commuter rail agency's board decided today.

Bicycles will be allowed on weekend trains and on off-peak and reverse-commute weekday trains through Oct. 30. The agency then will review its bikes-on-board policy and determine if special measures are necessary for the winter, Metra Executive Director Philip Pagano said.

Pagano added that he hoped bikes would be allowed on trains year-round, starting in January.

The board's unanimous vote was welcome news to cycling enthusiasts who have long pushed for Metra to allow bikes on trains, especially since the CTA and the Pace suburban bus service already allow them on their vehicles.

The push gained momentum this year with the launch of an online petition drive and introduction of state legislation that would require Metra to carry bicycles.

Metra officials had hesitated because the only spaces available for bikes on train cars have been areas reserved for riders with disabilities. But in recent months, the agency worked with its mobility access committee and the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation to develop the policy adopted today.

Randy Warren, project director for the federation, commended Metra's actions, saying the agency's plan lets cyclists reverse commute—traveling out of Chicago in the morning and returning in the afternoon.

"We feel like they really decided to put forth a good-faith effort to make this a really good program," Warren said.

The new policy:
Allows bikes on all weekday trains arriving in Chicago after 9:30 a.m. and departing the city before 3 p.m., and after 7 p.m. on both inbound and outbound trains.
Allows bikes on all weekend trains except for the weekends of the Chicago Blues Festival, Taste of Chicago and July 4th fireworks, Venetian Night, Chicago Air & Water Show and Chicago Jazz Festival, and the Friday before the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Requires individual bicyclists to be at least 18 years old. An adult must accompany riders 12 through 17. Children under 12 will not be allowed to bring bikes on board.
Prohibits tricycles and tandem bikes.
Limits the number of bicycles to two per handicapped-accessible car. If priority seating is needed for passengers with disabilities, cyclists may not be able to board or may be asked to leave a train they are on.
The Metra board today also toured the first of 26 new restroom-equipped Highliner commuter train cars that have been purchased for the Electric Line, which runs between Chicago's Randolph Street Station and University Park.

The acquisition followed criticism that the Electric Line, which serves riders from the city's South Side and southern suburbs, was the only one on the Metra system that did not have toilet-equipped cars.

However, Metra deferred the purchase of another 160 Electric Line cars earlier this year because the state has not replaced the Illinois FIRST multi-year bonding program. The agency had relied on those funds to buy train cars, and the Electric Line cars were next on the list of rolling stock to be replaced.

Glad about the bikes, but even gladder about the bathrooms. I couldn't believe they don't have toliets, and some of those trains are gawd-aweful long rides! Definitely, you couldn't get a cup of coffee and head out to University Park! :eek:

Of course, it had to happen after I moved... now I'll never be able to enjoy it.

Koffee

I'm sorry but this Metra policy is a lot of B.S. I'm a Metra commuter and I'd love to be able ride my bike to the train, take the train into the city, and then bike to my office. But this policy won't allow that. Trains that arrive after 9:30 and leave before 3pm or after 7pm? Who the heck is going to use this? Not commuters that's for sure.

IMHO, this is just a lot of feel-good, marketing cr@p for Metra. This is going to be used by very, very few people but Metra will talk about how wonderful they are.