The Chainlink

Let's get bikes on the South Shore Line this summer!

Reposted from the Active Trans blog by Leslie Phemister: 

This record-cold weather has us dreaming of summer — and maybe a nice bike ride along the Indiana Dunes.

Unfortunately, that dream won’t be attainable even this summer, at least not by train—unless the South Shore Line, the commuter rail connecting Chicago to Northwest Indiana, changes its policies.

That’s because the South Shore Line is one of just two of the nation’s 23 commuter rail systems that still doesn’t allow bikes on trains.

That’s right. Of the nation’s 23 commuter rails systems, fully 21 already allow bikes on their trains — including both Metra and many Amtrak lines — but the South Shore Line isn’t one of them.

It’s time for the South Shore Line to follow suit. Please help us get bikes on the South Shore Line as quickly as possible.

Two years ago, Active Trans and other non-profit organizations began pushing NICTD (Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District) to allow bikes on the South Shore Line.

NIRPC (Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission) has agreed to fund a feasibility study on accommodating bicycles. This will be an engineering study that will look at requirements, opportunities and barriers as well as multiple options for allowing bikes.

We don’t want another summer to go by without Northwest Indiana residents being able to finish the last mile of their trip to Chicago by bicycle . . . without Chicagolanders being able to explore by bike the Indiana Dunes or South Shore beaches.

Help us urge the South Shore to allow bikes on trains in time for this summer.

Comments are being accepted during the next week via email, Facebook, Twitter, phone (219)763-6060 ext.160, and standard mail (6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN 46368).

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on January 30, 2014 at 12:57pm

Besides "I'd like to use the South Shore Line to get to the dunes from Chicago," what sort of comments would be helpful?

Permalink Reply by BootsyC on January 30, 2014 at 2:07pm

If enough people indicate that money will be spent in local stores, parks, etc... it should be crystal clear that a policy change is in order.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

Besides "I'd like to use the South Shore Line to get to the dunes from Chicago," what sort of comments would be helpful?

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on January 30, 2014 at 2:50pm

Kelvin,

Thanks for the question about what kinds of comments would be appropriate. You can see Active Trans suggested comments here: http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50110/p/dia/action3/common/public/?ac...

Feel free to use them as your own, verbatim, or to modify them with your own thoughts.

Either way, I do encourage you and anyone else who cares about this issue to weigh in by the close of the public comment period on February 5th.

Thanks again,

Max Muller, Active Trans 

Permalink Reply by Tyler Long on January 30, 2014 at 3:01pm

...but if this is a success you've won the option of going to northwest Indiana.  Is that an option that's really worth it?

Permalink Reply by WalkThroughWater on January 30, 2014 at 7:47pm

Is there a study or plan that I can read and comment on or is this just a call to show support?

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on February 3, 2014 at 1:09pm

No study or plan just yet. That will be coming up.

Act fast if you want voice your support; NIRPC is taking feedback only until Feb. 5. 

Ted Villaire, Active Trans 

Permalink Reply by Not too hip on February 3, 2014 at 10:06pm

I would like rush hour bikes.

Permalink Reply by sgrady11 on February 5, 2014 at 8:58am

It's totally worth it. The Dunes park, you can ride further out to the Michigan City/New Buffalo area. There area a ton of great country roads with bike routes/loops marked by the county. Plus you'd have a great jumping off point to bike tour into Michigan. That line has several stations all along the lakefront there. I highly suggest you check out that area sometime. (Actually, it my go even further, doesn't it go to South Bend?)

Tyler Long said:

...but if this is a success you've won the option of going to northwest Indiana.  Is that an option that's really worth it?

Permalink Reply by Jared on February 5, 2014 at 9:27am

It ends at the South Bend airport.

sgrady11 said:

It's totally worth it. The Dunes park, you can ride further out to the Michigan City/New Buffalo area. There area a ton of great country roads with bike routes/loops marked by the county. Plus you'd have a great jumping off point to bike tour into Michigan. That line has several stations all along the lakefront there. I highly suggest you check out that area sometime. (Actually, it my go even further, doesn't it go to South Bend?)

Tyler Long said:

...but if this is a success you've won the option of going to northwest Indiana.  Is that an option that's really worth it?

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