The Chainlink

Folding Bike Without A Bag Allowed on Metra?

Have any of you been allowed to board the Metra with a folding bike but without a bag during rush hour?  I assume you fold it of course, but was there an issue getting on?

What time was it at and what line?

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Permalink Reply by Lee Roy on April 27, 2012 at 7:56am

Folding bikes are supposed to be folded and brought on board on Pace and CTA. But I have never had a driver say "no" when putting it on the front of the bus. Just be sure you are comfortable with a 20" or smaller wheel on the bus rack. I use a bungee to secure my bike from wobling. And lower the seat to bring down it's center of gravity. Small wheel bikes can be tricky.

Just Will said:

Julie,

Did you take your folding bike inside the bus, then?

Was it during rush hour?

I'm wondering if buses will let you put your bike on the front rack at any time of the day or does the rule about rush hour also applies to them?


Julie Hochstadter said:

Great thoughts. I ended up taking the bus to the train which added at least 30 min to this leg (saw the bus go by). My afternoon leg to the metra will also be longer taking publc transit.

I always wonder how to carry a bag when u are biking. The garbage bag or ikea bag could work. I always knew those ikea baags had many uses.

As usual guys - thanks for the great tips! I knew within 20 minutes id have the answers I was looking for. Just should have posted last night!
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on April 27, 2012 at 11:51am

I left the bike at home all day.  If I had known about the garbage bag or Ikea bag option I would have done that.  It all worked out in the end, but would have preferred having the bike (especially for the presentation I gave at the Folks on Spokes meeting in Flossmoor).  

Just Will said:

Julie,

Did you take your folding bike inside the bus, then?

Was it during rush hour?

I'm wondering if buses will let you put your bike on the front rack at any time of the day or does the rule about rush hour also applies to them?


Julie Hochstadter said:

Great thoughts. I ended up taking the bus to the train which added at least 30 min to this leg (saw the bus go by). My afternoon leg to the metra will also be longer taking publc transit.

I always wonder how to carry a bag when u are biking. The garbage bag or ikea bag could work. I always knew those ikea baags had many uses.

As usual guys - thanks for the great tips! I knew within 20 minutes id have the answers I was looking for. Just should have posted last night!
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 27, 2012 at 12:31pm

The Dahon bag I have for my folder has quick release straps that easily attach to my handlebars.  If you were using a garbage bag or other improvised method, perhaps a little underseat bag could hold it.

I've found that some conductors are more forgiving than others if you don't have a bag.  On evening trips home, I've occasionally seen a guy with a Brompton (who lives near me) - unbagged.  He tucks it neatly into the corner of the handicap area nearest the vestibule, and the regular conductor on that run doesn't seem bothered by it.  Because it's out of everyone else's way, no one else seems to give him any grief about it either.


Julie Hochstadter said:

Great thoughts. I ended up taking the bus to the train which added at least 30 min to this leg (saw the bus go by). My afternoon leg to the metra will also be longer taking publc transit.

I always wonder how to carry a bag when u are biking. The garbage bag or ikea bag could work. I always knew those ikea baags had many uses.

As usual guys - thanks for the great tips! I knew within 20 minutes id have the answers I was looking for. Just should have posted last night!
Permalink Reply by Lee Roy on April 27, 2012 at 1:29pm

I am sure I just talked to that guy last Saturday at Mikes Bike Shop in Palatine. Is it Orange??? hehehehe... kind of off topic.

Anne Alt said:

The Dahon bag I have for my folder has quick release straps that easily attach to my handlebars.  If you were using a garbage bag or other improvised method, perhaps a little underseat bag could hold it.

I've found that some conductors are more forgiving than others if you don't have a bag.  On evening trips home, I've occasionally seen a guy with a Brompton (who lives near me) - unbagged.  He tucks it neatly into the corner of the handicap area nearest the vestibule, and the regular conductor on that run doesn't seem bothered by it.  Because it's out of everyone else's way, no one else seems to give him any grief about it either.


Julie Hochstadter said:

Great thoughts. I ended up taking the bus to the train which added at least 30 min to this leg (saw the bus go by). My afternoon leg to the metra will also be longer taking publc transit.

I always wonder how to carry a bag when u are biking. The garbage bag or ikea bag could work. I always knew those ikea baags had many uses.

As usual guys - thanks for the great tips! I knew within 20 minutes id have the answers I was looking for. Just should have posted last night!
Permalink Reply by paulcycles on May 7, 2012 at 1:28pm

It VARIES by conductor. Remember it's humans that enforce policy.  Some conductors will be NAZI's, some will help you board.

As an original advocate on bikes on Metra, I found my bike (& self) banned by West and North UP line Metra condustors- esp. the lead conductor OUT of ignorance of the policy change, and their personal reaction to THEIR SUPERVISORS demanding on time arrival despite secondary METRA statue on these line to the UP freight traffic outside of RUSH hours.  REMEMBER most lines have conductors & train crews THAT ARE NOT EMPLOYED by METRA.  They work for the RR, & the RR makes much more $$$$$ off of FREIGHT.  BE NICE out there, and they (yes, even the initial a-hole ee's- helped me load young ladies, moms, & kids bikes--- after 6-12 months of friendly cyclists aboard!

 

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on December 9, 2016 at 9:00am

That's been my experience. Some conductors are extremely helpful. Some are hostile to bikes. Most are somewhere in between.

Permalink Reply by Tim S on December 9, 2016 at 6:41am
So what is the policy?
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on December 9, 2016 at 8:59am

https://metrarail.com/riding-metra/bikes-trains

"Small folding bikes in protective covers are permitted on all trains. Standard bikes will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis on weekday off-peak hours and on weekends. There is no guarantee that there will be space available on an initial or return trip (this includes late night trains). Train crews have the final authority on accommodating bikes."

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