getting better bike access on Amtrak - lobbying effort

We've had a number of previous threads where people have asked about other people's experiences with taking bikes on Amtrak. We've heard about the limitations of their policies, which rule out the possibility of taking bikes to many destinations, except folding bikes.

Now that stimulus funds are bringing high speed rail closer to being a reality, who's up for a lobbying campaign to help make better bike access a reality? We should work on our state AND federal legislators to sell the idea that improving bike access could significantly increase regional and long distance train ridership AND promote a more sustainable means of long distance travel. Seems like Midwest High Speed Rail could be a natural ally. Gotta make a call about that. Who's in?

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Permalink Reply by Keith on November 17, 2009 at 6:11pm
Anne I agree. Amtrak will be building trains for Illinois and Wisconsin to support the future high speed Midwest network. Now is the time to advocate for roll on access to Amtrak trains here in the Midwest.
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Permalink Reply by Jared on November 18, 2009 at 3:15am
While were at it how about lobbying for bike access on the South Shore line? I'd love to take the train to Michigan City and ride up into Michigan but alas I don't have a folding bike...
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 18, 2009 at 3:32am
That's a great idea. I know there are lots of people who would like to take regular bikes on the South Shore.

Jared said:
While were at it how about lobbying for bike access on the South Shore line? I'd love to take the train to Michigan City and ride up into Michigan but alas I don't have a folding bike...
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 18, 2009 at 3:33am
Exactly. I know Rick, and I've already sent him an e-mail.

Clark said:
Very timely thought Anne. With convenient bike access to long-distance trains (as the rest of the world already has) a whole new world opens up to Americans. College students; families on low-budget active vacations; elderly seeking a non-sedentary mode of travel; would-be environmentalists trying to reduce their carbon footprint....just about everyone! Not to mention small-town America for whom a rail is the only viable transit alternative.

Rick Harnish at Midwest High-speed Rail Assn is a good place to start. He's been heavily involved for several years. I'll give him a call.
Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on November 18, 2009 at 4:54am
Hey everyone...we hear you!

Bikes on transit and lakefront trail issues were the two biggest reasons people contacted us last year.

Improving bikes on transit access/experience (Amtrak, South Shore, Metra, etc.) is a 2010 goal for us at Active Trans. We're working to schedule preliminary meetings with Metra and RTA. Our transit task force will be meeting soon and determining our course of action on this for next year.

We will definitely keep everyone posted.

Thanks,
Ethan, with Active Trans

PS: we're also continuing work on lakefront trail advocacy check www.activetrans.org/lakefront for updates on conditions, events and potential public meetings
Permalink Reply by Eric R on November 18, 2009 at 5:27am
Keith, good pics, where are those from? (Cali, East Coast, etc)

A friend sent me this link the other day. Building a train car such as this would be ideal, but I believe the length of the platforms is an issue for Metra trains.

Also, I am glad to help support this effort. I have taken my bike on Amtrak twice now. I am currently 1 for 2 on my bicyclists/ conductor relationships. The first time was great, they were very helpful, the second time the conductor was uber unfriendly.
Permalink Reply by Sam Schild on November 18, 2009 at 6:52am
I'm also in for this great idea. I took my bike from Champaign, IL to New Orleans last spring, and didn't really have much trouble (except the operator didn't tell me I needed to remove my pedals when asked what I'd need to do in order to fit my bike in the box they provided for $10, the conductor let me bend the box around my pedals, though). Let's get some emails and calls made, maybe even get a petition going...
Permalink Reply by Keith on November 18, 2009 at 7:01pm
Eric I don't know where the pics came from. I got them from Rick Harnish at Midwest High Speed Rail Assn about two months ago.

Folks-it's great see bikes on Transit is a priority for Active Trans. However, I think Anne's post says bikes on Amtrak for the Midwest. Getting bikes on Amtrak is a much bigger mountain to climb than the fight to get bikes on Metra.

For Bikes on Amtrak to be a success, it has to incorporate routes that are important to the Midwest; Hiawatha from Milwaukee to Chicago, Michigan Services from Chicago to Detroit, Texas Eagle Chicago to St Louis just to name a few.

Can we tell all our Midwest bike friends to voice support in their states and regions for Bike on Amtrak in the Midwest? What do you think?

BTW--Amtrak already allows roll on access for bike on the Illiniois Service route trains which happen to be state funded routes. Since the South Shore line usually follows Metra's lead and the next trains they will be purchasing are the double deckers with ADA measures. Bikes on the South Shore line is going to happen soon.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 19, 2009 at 1:27pm
Keith is right about this. It's likely to be a much bigger challenge than getting bikes on Metra. I've talked to a friend at Amtrak who says: "Lobbying state legislatures, DOTs and the Feds are most effective, in that order. They'll be funding new equipment purchases. This is the time to make our voices heard."

Use this link to look up your elected officials at the state and federal levels. Here's the contact page for the Illinois Dept. of Transportation. Some accept e-mail. Others are more effectively reached via snail mail or fax. Let's start sending some letters!
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 19, 2009 at 1:29pm
I didn't know that if I want to take my mountain bike to small town destinations in western IL on the Carl Sandburg or Illinois Zephyr, I can already do it. I just went to the Amtrak web site and selected a sample trip using those routes for a round trip. In the box where you select your fare choice for each segment, there's an additional check box that says "add bike." This is a recent addition. Last time I looked at this trip, it wasn't there. Sweet!

Keith Holt said:
... BTW--Amtrak already allows roll on access for bike on the Illiniois Service route trains which happen to be state funded routes.
Permalink Reply by jen on November 19, 2009 at 5:20pm
Those pics are from Caltrain in California. As far as I understand it the state of California bought those train cars outright for Amtrak to operate. Where as in Illinois and Michigan the states just pay for the service. Michigan has been saying for some time that with budget cuts they will be cutting the money for funding of the state train lines.

You currently can take your bike on the Hiawatha and Texas eagle as checked baggage in a bike box. Austin, Tx has just been added as a stop with checked baggage so all you hipsters going to sxsw can now bring your bikes.

Keith Holt said:
Eric I don't know where the pics came from. I got them from Rick Harnish at Midwest High Speed Rail Assn about two months ago.

Folks-it's great see bikes on Transit is a priority for Active Trans. However, I think Anne's post says bikes on Amtrak for the Midwest. Getting bikes on Amtrak is a much bigger mountain to climb than the fight to get bikes on Metra.

For Bikes on Amtrak to be a success, it has to incorporate routes that are important to the Midwest; Hiawatha from Milwaukee to Chicago, Michigan Services from Chicago to Detroit, Texas Eagle Chicago to St Louis just to name a few.

Can we tell all our Midwest bike friends to voice support in their states and regions for Bike on Amtrak in the Midwest? What do you think?

BTW--Amtrak already allows roll on access for bike on the Illiniois Service route trains which happen to be state funded routes. Since the South Shore line usually follows Metra's lead and the next trains they will be purchasing are the double deckers with ADA measures. Bikes on the South Shore line is going to happen soon.
Permalink Reply by Joe TV on November 29, 2011 at 3:23pm

I've just returned from a trip to NYC with my bike and the service with Amtrak was very convenient.  The cost was $20 each way, which included a box.  Handlebars must be turned sideways, and although the rules state that pedals must be removed, I was able to squeeze my steed into the box with pedals attached.  Even had some help from some of the baggage folks at Union Station, who also had a toolbox available for the modifications.  Baggage, including bikes, must be checked 30 minutes prior to departure.  A very positive experience overall!  Thanks Amtrak!

 

 

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