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Bike/Train Travelogue: Car-Free at Bike Expo New York
This photo journal was originally posted in 2018, but we’re re-sharing this train/bike travelogue in celebration of National Train Day!
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to represent the League of American Bicyclists at Bike Expo New York in support the Five Boro Bike Tour.
The Five Boro Bike Tour is an incredible event where roughly 32,000 bicyclists get to experience all five boroughs of New York City without cars. It is the major event for Bike New York – home to Rich Conroy, the 2018 Gail and Jim Spann Educator of the Year, and Ken Podziba, former Chair of the League’s Board of Directors and current Director Emeritus.
It was great to meet hundreds of people over two days who were excited to ride through New York City in streets free of motor vehicles.
In honor of the car-free nature of the event, the entirety of my over 225-mile journey from the League’s office in Washington, DC to the Expo in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York was made by bike and train.
This quick photo journal shows how I made the trip to NYC and back car-free:
At the League office – loaded up with everything needed for our booth at Bike Expo New York.
On Amtrak. Many routes now allow you to take bikes on board without using a bike box. For this train, the Vermonter, there were eight bike spots available with one bike that could be hung up per train car.
Arriving at Bike Expo New York after the 8.5-mile journey from Penn Station.
Pro-tip: Use the Manhattan Bridge to avoid crowds.
Strava route map – because I knew I wanted these miles counted for the National Bike Challenge!
The League booth – all set up and ready to go for Bike Expo New York! We had about ten volunteers come out and help support the booth.
Thank you to Karin Weisburgh (a League Board member), Lois Joyce, Claire Modas, Lee Uehara, Stephen Greenberg, Stave Dedalto, Boris Leonardini, and Brent Knudson who volunteered their time to help at the booth!
Glamour shot after dropping off the booth and leaving the trailer. Thank you to Bike New York and everyone who took part in the Five Boro Bike Tour!
Unfortunately, I didn’t get pictures of my trip back — with a much lighter trailer. I had a great time talking to people about the League of American Bicyclists and we got some great support from our volunteers and visitors to the Expo!
For more information about train travel by bike, explore the following resources and stories:
Amtrak / Bring Your Bike Onboard
Amtrak / Amtrak Expands Carry-on Bike Program
Adventure Cycling / How to Travel with Your Bike on Amtrak
Adventure Cycling / Interactive Network Map
League of American Bicyclists / Welcoming Bikes on Trains
East Coast Greenway / Train-ing ride: River Relay Cyclists Navigate Amtrak and Rail with Bikes
Bike Coalition of Philadelphia / I Took My Bike on Amtrak
Streetsblog / Amtrak Allows Bikes on More Trains Throughout New England
Streetsblog / Opinion: Amtrak’s Patchwork Policies Could be Deterring the Most-Obvious Riders — Cyclists
bikabout / Take your Bike on Amtrak
Bike the Katy Trail / Riding Amtrak Along the Katy Trail
Why We Ride / Biking by Train: A Week in the Pacific Northwest
Bikecentennial Route 76 / A History of Bikes & Trains in Virginia