Bicycles on Metra 2009 update
Bicycles: Metra Rules & regulations for bicycles - 2009
GENERAL POLICIES:
1. Individual cyclists must be at least 16 years old. Riders aged 12 through 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 12 are not permitted.
2. Only three bicycles per ADA car on each diesel train will be allowed in designated priority seating areas; two for each equivalent Electric car. For 2009 the following number of bicycles can generally be accommodated per train:
Union Pacific North, Northwest & West Lines 12 bicycles
Milwaukee North & West Lines 9 bicycles
Rock Island Line 9 bicycles
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway 6 bicycles
North Central Service 9 bicycles
Southwest Service 9 bicycles
Metra Electric 8 bicycles*
* All Electric cars are accessible; bike capacity varies by number of cars per train.
3. Standard bicycles not exceeding 70 inches in length will be permitted. Tricycles, tandems, trailers, bulky attachments, training wheels or powered bicycles are prohibited.
4. There is no additional charge for bicycles.
5. Train conductors will make the final decisions regarding the ability to accommodate bicycles on each train. All cyclists must follow instructions of Metra train crews.
6. Train crews are not required to assist with boarding bicycles; their primary responsibilities are for passenger safety and assisting those with disabilities.
7. The wheelchair lift will not be used to load or unload bicycles.
8. Cyclists must be considerate and allow all passengers (including those with mobility devices) to board and alight before carrying their bicycles on or off the train.
9. Cyclists may be required to leave the train if ADA space is needed for boarding passengers with disabilities. If cyclists are required to detrain prior to destination, passengers who purchased an on board cash fare will be given a refund by the conductor who issued same. Passengers riding on One-Way or Ten Ride tickets will have ticket returned with the following notation "Good for One Additional Ride."
10. Bicycles cannot block aisles or impede passenger movement. Cyclists must stay in the vicinity of their bicycles at all times.
11. In case of evacuation, bikes will be left on the train, clear of aisles and doors.
EXCEPTIONS:
12. Metra makes no assurances that space will be available for bicycles on designated bike trains (including late hour trains). Cyclists will be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis.
13. Bicycles are permitted on all weekday trains arriving in Chicago after 9:30 AM and leaving Chicago before 3:00 PM and after 7:00 PM, and on all weekend trains, with the following exceptions:
Blues Fest June 12 - 14 (weekend only: June 13 & 14)
All days during Taste of Chicago June 26 - July 5
Lollapalooza August 7 - 9
Air and Water Show August 15 - 16
Jazz Fest September 4 - 6 (weekend only: September 5 & 6)
BICYCLE STORAGE & CONDITIONS:
14. Bicycles must be kept clean and free of dirt and grease while aboard Metra trains. Bicycles that present a hazard to other customers or Metra facilities are prohibited.
15. Bicycles must be secured to the lower rail of folding seats in the priority seating area with long bungee cords (approximately 36" recommended) or other devices supplied by the cyclist which adequately secure the bicycle.
16. Folding bicycles in protective covers are permitted on all trains at all times but should not block train aisles or doorways.
GENERAL POLICIES:
1. Individual cyclists must be at least 16 years old. Riders aged 12 through 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 12 are not permitted.
2. Only three bicycles per ADA car on each diesel train will be allowed in designated priority seating areas; two for each equivalent Electric car. For 2009 the following number of bicycles can generally be accommodated per train:
Union Pacific North, Northwest & West Lines 12 bicycles
Milwaukee North & West Lines 9 bicycles
Rock Island Line 9 bicycles
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway 6 bicycles
North Central Service 9 bicycles
Southwest Service 9 bicycles
Metra Electric 8 bicycles*
* All Electric cars are accessible; bike capacity varies by number of cars per train.
3. Standard bicycles not exceeding 70 inches in length will be permitted. Tricycles, tandems, trailers, bulky attachments, training wheels or powered bicycles are prohibited.
4. There is no additional charge for bicycles.
5. Train conductors will make the final decisions regarding the ability to accommodate bicycles on each train. All cyclists must follow instructions of Metra train crews.
6. Train crews are not required to assist with boarding bicycles; their primary responsibilities are for passenger safety and assisting those with disabilities.
7. The wheelchair lift will not be used to load or unload bicycles.
8. Cyclists must be considerate and allow all passengers (including those with mobility devices) to board and alight before carrying their bicycles on or off the train.
9. Cyclists may be required to leave the train if ADA space is needed for boarding passengers with disabilities. If cyclists are required to detrain prior to destination, passengers who purchased an on board cash fare will be given a refund by the conductor who issued same. Passengers riding on One-Way or Ten Ride tickets will have ticket returned with the following notation "Good for One Additional Ride."
10. Bicycles cannot block aisles or impede passenger movement. Cyclists must stay in the vicinity of their bicycles at all times.
11. In case of evacuation, bikes will be left on the train, clear of aisles and doors.
EXCEPTIONS:
12. Metra makes no assurances that space will be available for bicycles on designated bike trains (including late hour trains). Cyclists will be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis.
13. Bicycles are permitted on all weekday trains arriving in Chicago after 9:30 AM and leaving Chicago before 3:00 PM and after 7:00 PM, and on all weekend trains, with the following exceptions:
Blues Fest June 12 - 14 (weekend only: June 13 & 14)
All days during Taste of Chicago June 26 - July 5
Lollapalooza August 7 - 9
Air and Water Show August 15 - 16
Jazz Fest September 4 - 6 (weekend only: September 5 & 6)
BICYCLE STORAGE & CONDITIONS:
14. Bicycles must be kept clean and free of dirt and grease while aboard Metra trains. Bicycles that present a hazard to other customers or Metra facilities are prohibited.
15. Bicycles must be secured to the lower rail of folding seats in the priority seating area with long bungee cords (approximately 36" recommended) or other devices supplied by the cyclist which adequately secure the bicycle.
16. Folding bicycles in protective covers are permitted on all trains at all times but should not block train aisles or doorways.
Views: 89
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on
-
Does anyone know how strict they are about not allowing kids under 12 with a bike rule?
#9 and #12 especially piss me off....
#9 Cyclists may be required to leave the train if ADA space is needed for boarding passengers with disabilities. If cyclists are required to detrain prior to destination, passengers who purchased an on board cash fare will be given a refund by the conductor who issued same. Passengers riding on One-Way or Ten Ride tickets will have ticket returned with the following notation "Good for One Additional Ride."
#12 Metra makes no assurances that space will be available for bicycles on designated bike trains (including late hour trains). Cyclists will be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis.
-
Permalink Reply by Natalie on
-
I was on the light rail in Minneapolis last summer when some guy with a Bianchi Milano got on the train and hung his bike on the designated bike rack, then sat down near me. We chatted for a bit about cycling in the city. In Minneapolis, you can take your bike on the train WHENEVER YOU WANT! What kind of cycling utopia is this? Of course, it's winter 9 months out of the year.
Julie Hochstadter said:Does anyone know how strict they are about not allowing kids under 12 with a bike rule?
#9 and #12 especially piss me off....
#9 Cyclists may be required to leave the train if ADA space is needed for boarding passengers with disabilities. If cyclists are required to detrain prior to destination, passengers who purchased an on board cash fare will be given a refund by the conductor who issued same. Passengers riding on One-Way or Ten Ride tickets will have ticket returned with the following notation "Good for One Additional Ride."
#12 Metra makes no assurances that space will be available for bicycles on designated bike trains (including late hour trains). Cyclists will be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis.
-
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on
-
Are there any major changes from 2008? I can't tell...
Also this is really unclear:
Blues Fest June 12 - 14 (weekend only: June 13 & 14)
Jazz Fest September 4 - 6 (weekend only: September 5 & 6)
What does "weekend only" designate?
I've had a couple incidents in which i was denied space on a Metra. But, luckily i was able (and willing) to ride the 15 miles or so back to chicago. Thats not always the case, and i feel really bad for those unfortunate souls stuck out in the burbs after relying on Metra.
-
Permalink Reply by Jared on
-
I was told no bikes only once and I was only in Winnetka so it was no big deal. I wonder if anyone has a horror story of being told to leave the train late at night in some far flung suburb with no other way to get back?
-
Permalink Reply by Joe TV on
-
I'm surprised at the grousing around here. I was personally very pleased when I realized how easy it is for me to take my bike on the metra.
-
Permalink Reply by Jim "Niterider" on
-
I have had only one problem with Metra so far but than I have boarded the train late at night outbound from Chicago and early on the weekends in Kenosha inbound for Chicago. And yes Metra can go a lot futher to make the whole experience better buy installing hooks that could be retractable to allow for more bikes to be carried buy hanging them up. Since IL has a new Gov, it is time to start signing petions and get letters flowing to his office. If we as cyclists want more of Metra, we have to let them know instead of sitting on our butts. Rule #12 does suck Juile. I have had this happen last year and was forced to ride home from Fort Sheridan since a lady needed the space I was in for her wheelchair. I asked if they checked the rest of the train and they did. I rode down to Indiana that day from Kenosha and was beatup after a long day of riding. They dumped me off at 10:30 p.m. and I was forced to ride another 30 miles and did not get home until 2:30 a.m. That day I rode over 230 miles and then tack on another 30. Hopefully we would get a bigger car some time soon so more people could not have to get the boot like I did and others.
-
Permalink Reply by vxla on
-
Jim "Niterider" said:I have had only one problem with Metra so far but than I have boarded the train late at night outbound from Chicago and early on the weekends in Kenosha inbound for Chicago. And yes Metra can go a lot futher to make the whole experience better buy installing hooks that could be retractable to allow for more bikes to be carried buy hanging them up. Since IL has a new Gov, it is time to start signing petions and get letters flowing to his office. If we as cyclists want more of Metra, we have to let them know instead of sitting on our butts. Rule #12 does suck Juile. I have had this happen last year and was forced to ride home from Fort Sheridan since a lady needed the space I was in for her wheelchair. I asked if they checked the rest of the train and they did. I rode down to Indiana that day from Kenosha and was beatup after a long day of riding. They dumped me off at 10:30 p.m. and I was forced to ride another 30 miles and did not get home until 2:30 a.m. That day I rode over 230 miles and then tack on another 30. Hopefully we would get a bigger car some time soon so more people could not have to get the boot like I did and others.
Do you have a specific design that you're proposing to the rail car designers? Right now, the cars are designed about as efficiently as they can to deal with the ridership; whatever you propose can't interfere with peak rush loads, but if you have an idea you should definitely propose it to Metra. They do listen.
Groups
-
Chicagoland Beer Explora…
203 members
-
Wednesday Night for Mort…
1 member
-
Great Lakes Ultra Cycling
270 members
-
Major Taylor Internation…
1 member
-
Critical Mass discussion
261 members
© 2008-2016 The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.
Powered by
