Western Metra stop (Western Ave/Grand) parked bikes being ticketed

If you've locked your bike to the hand railing at the Western Metra stop at Western and Grand, you might be coming back to a ticket/fine or confiscation if you're deemed to be a repeat offender. I saw an officer ticketing bikes about 5 mins ago and asked him about it. Bikes are confiscated if they have been seen locked their before (and ticketed?) And to get your bike back you need proof of ownership. He did mention "knowing your serial number or showing purchase receipt".

But surely none of us would lock our bikes to the railing.

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Permalink Reply by Amber K on September 11, 2012 at 3:25am

That sucks.  Used to lock to the railing all the time when I rode that line.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 11, 2012 at 4:02am

Was this a city cop or a Metra transit cop?

Permalink Reply by Tim S on September 11, 2012 at 4:04am

Forgive what may be a silly question but why are they ticketing?

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 11, 2012 at 4:08am

I'm just guessing but perhaps they feel bikes blocking handrailings might constitute a violation of ADA requirements for getting to said handrailings for those who  need them.

I don't know about Metra, but CTA is seriously fascist when it comes to their signage too.  Never lock to a CTA bus stop sign or any other CTA infrastructure.  If they feel it is blocking the view of drivers coming into the stop or in any way impeding riders when standing/waiting/boarding a bus they will just yank the bike without any notice or warning.  For all intents the bike might as well have been stolen for all most people know when they get back to it.   Good luck calling them either as nobody will know where your bike is -it is like it fell down a black  hole. 

Tim S said:

Forgive what may be a silly question but why are they ticketing?

Permalink Reply by John Wirtz on September 11, 2012 at 4:50am

How do they collect on the tickets?  Is there some kind of bike boot?

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 11, 2012 at 5:03am

Thus the "confiscate" part on any hint of it being the same bike being ticketed before.  I assumed the "ticket" was merely a warning ticket. 

John Wirtz said:

How do they collect on the tickets?  Is there some kind of bike boot?

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 11, 2012 at 5:21am

Doubtful -but I'm sure "they" feel justified in yanking any bike that isn't parked in a manner that pleases their bureaucratic sensibilities. 

"Information Transit got the wrong man. I got the *right* man. The wrong one was delivered to me as the right man, I accepted him on good faith as the right man. Was I wrong? It's not my fault that Buttle's heart condition didn't appear on Tuttle's file!"



h' said:

The implication is that there is appropriate bike parking that's not being utilized . . .(?)


Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on September 11, 2012 at 5:30am

I used to commute form that stop and lock up at it.  There actually is substantial bike parking there that is under utilized.  Bikes get locked to the railing instead of the bike parking and can often end up a hindrance both on the wheelchair ramp and the stairs.

However there is a good reason for this.  The bike parking there is hidden from view of both the street and the platform and would not only be a good place to steal bikes or parts from but also an excellent spot to assault somebody.  In the time I commuted there the only bikes I ever saw parked there were obviously stripped and abandoned or serious bum bikes; anything nice was locked to the railings.

James BlackHeron said:

Doubtful -but I'm sure "they" feel justified in yanking any bike that isn't parked in a manner that pleases their bureaucratic sensibilities. 

"Information Transit got the wrong man. I got the *right* man. The wrong one was delivered to me as the right man, I accepted him on good faith as the right man. Was I wrong? It's not my fault that Buttle's heart condition didn't appear on Tuttle's file!"



h' said:

The implication is that there is appropriate bike parking that's not being utilized . . .(?)


Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on September 11, 2012 at 6:01am

Maybe better bike parking should be installed instead of paying someone to issue tickets. Seems like a better use of funds.

Permalink Reply by Jared on September 11, 2012 at 6:06am

I'm hoping they at least have a sign stating not to lock to railing...

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on September 11, 2012 at 6:11am

+1  And Jared's suggestion about signage is a good one.

Perhaps it's worth sending Metra a message.

Adam Herstein said:

Maybe better bike parking should be installed instead of paying someone to issue tickets. Seems like a better use of funds.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 11, 2012 at 6:21am

Metra seems to be pretty deaf to the needs and concerns of cyclists on the whole.  But it is worth a try anyhow. 

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