Silly, Illogical Bike Rules

As cyclists, we see loads of silly rules... this morning was a really annoying one. I'm curious if Chicago also has silly rules about when you should fold your bike taking the CTA. 

Here's what I experienced:

Having a bit of a twitter war with WMATA (DC Metro) over folding bikes. This morning I was forced to fold and carry my bike to walk through the station to get to the platform. Seriously. Yet, double-wide strollers and rolling luggage (even the really big ones) can easily be rolled on their wheels through the station. Would they force parents to fold and carry their strollers? No, because that'd be silly and yet they want to force me to carry my Brompton (I didn't get titanium so not really that light) when I could easily roll it and fold it in my empty, reverse-commute car like I always do. Rules for the sake of rules are a pet peeve of mine. Granted, my right arm is developing a nice little muscle from all of the Brompton carrying...

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Permalink Reply by JeffB on June 25, 2018 at 5:25am

In Chicago you can just roll your bike onto a CTA train, as long as its not during the rush hours, I think 7-9am and 4-6pm, or during busy event days.  Metra has similar restrictions and sometimes you're at the mercy of the conductor who can deny you boarding.

On a different note, I was denied entry to a free concert at Millennium Park last week because the multi-tool in my bag includes a knife. They've really increased security at Pritzker Pavillion this year. The bag searches are thorough. Last year there were none.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on June 25, 2018 at 9:52am

That is a tough one.  In today's  world I understand a little  security paranoia. I recall going to a football game shortly after  9-11-01 and  being unable to bring  an umbrella notwithstanding  a typhoon.  I went  home rather than sit in  a cold  rain without an umbrella. Anybody who rides a bike and is reasonably prepared  is going to have  a hard  time with this policy.  

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on June 26, 2018 at 11:00am

Northerly Island wouldn't let me bring in my umbrella last year for a concert. I assumed it was because it creates issues for the people behind you when you open your umbrella. Hadn't thought about a security angle.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 27, 2018 at 3:20am

Good to know this. Many of routinely carry things like multi-tools and pocket knives in our bags.

For me, bag searches and long security lines have become a deterrent to attending some events. Last year I tried going to Blues Fest on my lunch on Friday. They had so few people working security and so many people trying to get in that the security b.s. ate up half my lunch time.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on June 25, 2018 at 5:56am

This is a folding bike with the purpose of being able to bring it on trains during rush hour. This is the equivalent of requiring me to fold my bike in Ogilvie and carrying it through the entire station to the train.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 25, 2018 at 9:15am

I'm glad that Metra isn't that stupid about it. When I take my folding bike on during rush hour, I just carry the bag in a visible place, show it to the first conductor or transit police officer who is about to confront me about the bike, and say that I will fold it at the train door and bag it before I carry it on. I've done that for years without incident. I see other people doing likewise.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on June 25, 2018 at 9:31am

You have to bag it to bring it on the train? hadn't heard of that. 

Yes, Metro has rather large stations so there's a fair amount of walking involved and very long escalators. I fold the bike for the long escalator because it is very long (I've never seen anything like the escalators here).

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 25, 2018 at 9:53am

I've been on the DC Metro, so I've seen how long and deep the stations are. Those escalators are WAY longer than anything I've ever seen in Chicago.

During rush hour (or at other crowded times), Metra does require that folders be folded and bagged.

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on June 25, 2018 at 7:03am
The 24 hr ban special event ban on the CTA.
It's 12:30 am on July 4th no bikes allowed because the Fireworks in 18 hours
9:30 pm Sunday night no bikes allowed because of the parade that happened 7 hours ago
etc...
Permalink Reply by David P. on June 26, 2018 at 4:13am

I saw your Facebook post and thought it was pretty absurd, especially with the photo of your folded bike on a completely empty train. 

I regularly take Metra to work in the morning and since I have a reverse commute on the Metra Electric I have no problem rolling any of my full-size bikes on board. I took my Brompton to Ravinia the other weekend because I thought they wouldn't allow a full-size bike on the train, but the conductors said that would have been no problem. I wasn't asked to bag my Brompie, and everyone is carrying tons of crap anyway up there. 

I'm sure it helps if you take a train regularly and the conductor(s) recognize you. 

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 27, 2018 at 3:17am

If the conductor knows you and understands that you're respectful towards other people, it makes a BIG difference.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on June 27, 2018 at 4:38am

I wish that could be the case but the station managers change so often in the stations I go to. I hold back to let the crowd go up the escalator, make room to share my seat if it (rarely) gets busy, and generally try to use common sense and consideration. I kinda gave up on my battle for now and now I'm carrying that heavy, folded up bike through the stations. 

I do think mass transit in general really needs to reconsider their archaic policies for a bike-friendly, logical approach so I am going to keep plugging away, trying to reach the powers that be.

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