Bikes-On-Trains Campaigns Seeing Traction

Campaigns to get bicycles on commuter trains are cropping up across the country. 

We’ve seen recent success in the Bay Area, and there’s been a national push to get Amtrak on board with increased bicycle services.

This week, we’re seeing more positive movement in Chicago, where the South Shore Line rail is planning to announce a bike program by next spring, according to the Chicago Tribune. Last week, a number of local groups, including the Active Transportation Alliance, sent a letter to the rail line operator’s board, requesting bikes be allowed on the trains beginning next summer, with a pilot program phase in spring. 

“We’re talking about allowing bikes on their trains, not landing them on the moon, and we hope they will have a final policy allowing bikes in time for peak riding season next summer,” Max Muller, director of government relations and advocacy at the Active Transportation Alliance, told the Tribune.

The League did some research into the issue to help Active Trans make the case in Chicago. We looked into all of the major commuter rail lines across the country, and examined their policies regarding bicycles on board.  Click here to view the full-size chart.

You can read more about Active Trans’ campaign here.