Metra's bike policy, for those so inclined.

What a beautiful day! The sun is shining, and summer has FINALLY shown up.  For any of you who would like to take your bike down to the lake front, or into the city, I wanted to offer you Metra's official policy on Bikes on trains, and explain to you the highlights and lowlights of what you may experience while doing it.  So here goes.

Bicycles are permitted on all weekday trains arriving in Chicago after 9:30 A.M. and leaving Chicago before 3:00 P.M. and after 7:00 P.M., (It does not matter how much you ask, or how nicely you ask. If it is between those times, the conductors are NOT going to let you bring your bike on the train.  His job is on the line)

and on all weekend trains, with the following exceptions:

  • Blackhawks Victory Parade - June 28, 2013
  • All days during Taste of Chicago - July 10, 2013 to July 14, 2013
  • Lollapalooza - August 2, 2013 to August 4, 2013
  • Air & Water Show - August 17, 2013 & August 18, 2013

*As a reminder, Metra reserves the right to prohibit bicycles if coaches are crowded or access is impeded, and makes no assurances that space will be available for bicycles.

1. Individual cyclists must be at least 16 years old. Riders aged 12 through 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 12 are not permitted.

2. Only five bicycles per ADA car on each diesel train will be allowed in designated priority seating areas; two for each equivalent Metra Electric car. For 2013 the following number of bicycles can generally be accommodated per train:

Union Pacific North, Northwest & West Lines 20 bicycles

 

3. Standard bicycles not exceeding 70 inches in length will be permitted. Tricycles, tandems, trailers, bulky attachments, training wheels or powered bicycles are prohibited.

4. There is no additional charge for bicycles.

5. Train conductors will make the final decisions regarding the ability to accommodate bicycles on each train. All cyclists must follow instructions of Metra train crews.  ( It will do NO good to argue with the conductor.  The federal government, the state government, the city government, and Metra, have ALL concluded that the final authority on a train, is the conductor. )

6. Train crews are not required to assist with boarding bicycles; their primary responsibilities are for passenger safety and assisting those with disabilities.

7. The wheelchair lift will not be used to load or unload bicycles.

8. Cyclists must be considerate and allow all passengers (including those with mobility devices) to board and alight before carrying their bicycles on or off the train.

9. Cyclists may be required to leave the train if ADA space is needed for boarding passengers with disabilities. If cyclists are required to detrain prior to destination, passengers who purchased a cash fare from the conductor will be given a refund by that conductor. Passengers riding on One-Way or 10-Ride tickets will have their ticket returned with the following notation "Good for One Additional Ride."

10. Bicycles cannot block aisles or impede passenger movement. Cyclists must stay in the vicinity of their bicycles at all times.

11. In case of evacuation, bikes will be left on the train, clear of aisles and doors.

12. Metra makes no assurances that space will be available for bicycles on designated bike trains (including late-hour trains). Cyclists will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.

13. Bicycles are permitted on all weekday trains arriving in Chicago after 9:30 a.m. and leaving Chicago before 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m., and on all weekend trains.

14. Bicycles must be kept clean and free of dirt and grease while aboard Metra trains. Bicycles that present a hazard to other customers or Metra facilities are prohibited.

15. Bicycles must be secured to the lower rail of folding seats in the priority seating area with long bungee cords (approximately 36 inches recommended) or other devices supplied by the cyclist which adequately secure the bicycle.  

This is a big thing. You HAVE to secure your bike.  Most conductors don't care if you use a shoe lace, as long as it is secured.  Reason being, If we come to a quick stop, or hit something big enough that we slow rapidly, what is going to happen to your bike?  It is going to become a missle on wheels and crash into the other passengers.  Heck, you can use your belt. But don't be lazy, and not want to secure it because "Your only going two stops" 

Also, ask the other riders where they are going (preferably before you get on the train, if there are multiple bikes on a platform). If you can, put your bikes in order of who gets off when.  You and they, don't want to be doing ring around the rosy every time someone wants to get off the train.  It delays the train, and makes everyone grumpy.

16. Folding bicycles in protective covers are permitted on all trains at all times but should not block train aisles or doorways.

Here's the thing.  As a conductor for 17 years, I remember the whole implementation of the bike policy in Chicago.  We were never consulted on the best way to do it, those decisions were made by people who don't work on trains. So you can imagine how smoothly that went. There was a certain amount of animosity in the beginning.  Some conductors got over it, some didn't.  I personally welcome the bikes on my train, because I then get to talk to the other bikers.  If you follow the guidelines, and be nice to the conductors, you will probably find that most of them are pretty normal,  guys and will be nice to you, if you are nice to us.  

I hope this helped.

M.
Milwaukee North & West Lines 15 bicycles
Rock Island Line 15 bicycles
BNSF Railway 10 bicycles
North Central Service 15 bicycles
SouthWest Service 15 bicycles
Metra Electric 8 bicycles*

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on August 29, 2013 at 2:28am

Thanks for this as well as your experience when it first was implemented 17 years ago!  

Good to know that they are generally ok with securing it with something. Last night I used a fanny pack which was actually more secure than the $1 bungee the other guy had.  Sometimes I even use my sweatshirt if I'm in a bind.

Here is to wishing for a dedicated bike car like in other cities so we can always bring our bikes on. 

Permalink Reply by Bez on August 29, 2013 at 3:01am

Bicycles are permitted on all weekday trains arriving in Chicago after 9:30 A.M. and leaving Chicago before 3:00 P.M. and after 7:00 P.M., (It does not matter how much you ask, or how nicely you ask. If it is between those times, the conductors are NOT going to let you bring your bike on the train.  His job is on the line)

On this, one question.  I see the official policy, but in your experience how do the conductors feel about those that bring bike aboard for earlier morning trains? On the BNSF, for example, the earliest train in leaves Aurora at 4:30 and arrives at 5:32.  I would guess that most of the trains that leave Aurora prior to 6:30 are not at capacity, based upon what I see from Rt.59.  Do you think (not being on that line, obviously) that most conductors would have a problem with bringing a bike on for those trains?

Permalink Reply by Michael J Blane on August 29, 2013 at 6:54am

I've a question.

I live in Chicago, have no car (20+ years carfree) and would occasionally like to ride the Fox River.

Does anyone know the frequency and/or percentage of riders being told to exit the train before arriving at their intended destination?

Which lines have more exiting than others.

I haven't found any stats about number of bikes/riders on a train. How many exit early?

It's difficult to make an informed decision to take the train.

Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 29, 2013 at 8:07am

My experience has been that most of the conductors are nice guys. Some are cyclists, and some of them will get into pleasant bike-related conversations if it's not a busy trip.  When I first started taking a folding bike on Metra 10 years ago, a large percentage of those who were curious about it were conductors who wondered if it might be a practical transportation option for them - getting to/from work, or on other trips.

Permalink Reply by djm on August 29, 2013 at 8:16am

A single data point:  Ive never been denied boarding nor forced to disembark when MetraCycling on weekends using several lines and Ive had good experiences with conductors.  One conductor instructed someone sitting in the designated seating area to relocate when I boarded with my bike.  Another conductor lit up a dark car for a couple dozen cyclists boarding at Flossmoor one night.  MetraCycling is wonderful.

Michael J Blane 6.5 said:

I've a question.

I live in Chicago, have no car (20+ years carfree) and would occasionally like to ride the Fox River.

Does anyone know the frequency and/or percentage of riders being told to exit the train before arriving at their intended destination?


It's difficult to make an informed decision to take the train.

Permalink Reply by Mark on August 29, 2013 at 3:17pm

To answer the question about making a person disembark before their destination. This has never happened in all the years I have been doing this. The only thing that trumps a bike taking up space, would be wheel chairs taking up space.

As for the early morning trains. It doesn't matter the capacity, if the train arrives before 9am, a conductor would be subject to discipline, and possibly loosing his job, if he allows a bike on the train.  Therefore, it isn't going to happen.  I understand what you mean by early trains, my morning train departs Waukegan at 0526 am.  We do get fairly full, and even if we didn't. We aren't given the leniency to allow bikes.  I'm sorry.

 

The bike dedicated cars is a storage issue.  Because Chicago's railroads were built 100 years ago, they don't have the room, to park longer trains, when they need to be serviced, or parked for the night.  Currently, we are at capacity I believe.  We just don't currently have room for any bigger trains.  Also, it would take more time, If all bikes entering and exiting the train, had to get on the same car. Hence delaying the train.  Metra, and most passengers, really get grumpy about delayed trains.

 

Conductors who don't pay attention to secured bikes, are like any other employee you have worked with, who doesn't really care if they do their job correctly.  Unfortunately, not everyone is a professional. 

Permalink Reply by Bez on August 29, 2013 at 11:11pm



Mark said:

To answer the question about making a person disembark before their destination. This has never happened in all the years I have been doing this. The only thing that trumps a bike taking up space, would be wheel chairs taking up space.

FWIW, I've never seen this happen either in almost 20 years of taking Metra (BNSF and UP-W to visit family when I lived in Chicago proper, and for travel to the city after I moved out that way).

As for the early morning trains. It doesn't matter the capacity, if the train arrives before 9am, a conductor would be subject to discipline, and possibly loosing his job, if he allows a bike on the train.  Therefore, it isn't going to happen.  I understand what you mean by early trains, my morning train departs Waukegan at 0526 am.  We do get fairly full, and even if we didn't. We aren't given the leniency to allow bikes.  I'm sorry.

No need to be sorry, I understand the rules and discipline issue.  I'm thinking that someone like Active Trans or LIB needs to lobby Metra to revise their rules to tighten up the hours to be actual rush hour, not (what seems to be) arbitrary and grudgingly just enough to keep from getting sued.  Of course, we all see how well Metra is handling affairs at the moment...

The bike dedicated cars is a storage issue.  Because Chicago's railroads were built 100 years ago, they don't have the room, to park longer trains, when they need to be serviced, or parked for the night.  Currently, we are at capacity I believe.  We just don't currently have room for any bigger trains.  Also, it would take more time, If all bikes entering and exiting the train, had to get on the same car. Hence delaying the train.  Metra, and most passengers, really get grumpy about delayed trains.

I had never thought about the overnight storage issue, and I don't think it really occurs to most people.  When trains are too long pull into stations, they just hang them off the end of the platform and ask the passengers to move through the cars.  That wouldn't really be something that applies at they yard though.  On the delays issue, I have a little trouble believing that Metra (not the passengers and conductors, but Metra itself) actually cares about delays.  I may be biased by riding the BNSF, however.

Conductors who don't pay attention to secured bikes, are like any other employee you have worked with, who doesn't really care if they do their job correctly.  Unfortunately, not everyone is a professional. 

This is right up there with the conductors who knowingly let customers slide on ticket issues (paying for a zone and riding farther, for example).  

Mark, I appreciate your understanding of our issues and professionalism in answering the questions.  It helps that you're one of us (gabba gabba hey), but collectively we can get kind of bitchy about being denied access.

Permalink Reply by Mark on August 30, 2013 at 1:36am

I can completely understand someone being bitchy about being denied access. You have figured out a logical, environmentally friendly, convenient, cost effective, healthy way, to get around.  Or, your just coming down to the city to enjoy a really cool bike path. Hell, I LOVE the LFP. Then some grumpy conductor has an issue, and next thing ya know, your standing on the platform with your bike and the train is leaving.  I agree that the board should re examine when trains should and shouldn't be allowed to have bikes.  We have some trains going inbound, around 5 o'clock, returning passengers to the city, that work in the burbs, that get god awful full.  Bikes aren't really appropriate there.  Yet we have some early morning trains, that are empty enough that bikes could go into the city without causing an issue.  So there is some give and take that could certainly be done.  And IF they ever get around to doing it, this time, I hope they actually consult with some of us who actually WORK on the train.

Metra does in fact care quite a bit about on time performance. They care believe it or not, a lot about what the public thinks about them.  Especially right now.  While everything thinks they are scum.  Manager bonus's, which can be substantial, are based on, on time performance, as well as other things.

And I would like to defend one last thing.  Just in case you not thinking of it this way.  Sometimes, as a Conductor, the best thing to do is let a guy slide, "ONCE".  Let's say, you ride every day.  You have a monthly, and you take my 7am train out to highland park for work.  You say "Hi" when you get on, you put your bike on the rack, we have chatted about this or that occasionally, because we both like cycling.  One day, you are in a hurry to leave, and forget your wallet at home.  As I come into collect tickets, your reach for you wallet, and "OH SHIT" you realize you forgot it at home.  Now, I have a choice.  I can put you off at the next stop, you would have to cycle all the way home, get your wallet, find the next train time, cycle back to the first station, wait, and of course, your late for work.   OR, I can be a professional, Not ruin your day, and mine, cause face it, If I put you off the train, Your gonna be pissed, I notice your pissed, and it stresses me, domino effect, Karma hits like a truck..... You get the idea.  I can "Give you a one time exception"  and tell you to just have it tomorrow.  THAT is customer service, and professionalism.   Now if I'm doing it with the same person everyday, that's theft, and eventually they would put a spotter on the train and fire me. 

I hope that helps clear up any questions.  But if not, I am always here to answer more.

M.

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on August 30, 2013 at 12:17pm

I've only had two hairy situations in the past year - both of them coming home from work and embarking on the N. Glenview MD-N stop. First was last October when the Bears had a home game. All handicap accessible cars were filled to the hilt with people - literally not a seat to be had. I asked the conductor if I should ask the people to move, and he told me no. He said disembark or wait in the vestibule. Since I have better things to do with my time, I rode home in the vestibule. 

Same thing happened back in June - except it wasn't a bears game just full. Oddly, there were actually handicapped people in wheelchairs taking up the spots on one car, and 2 families with huge luggage in the other car. Again, I was told to disembark and wait for the next train, or hit the vestibule. Because I was feeling surly, I just told him that the situation of the luggage was bullshit, and disembarked - I rode home from the Glenview station (about 15.5 miles or so.)

I'd be willing to bet that a true disembarking requests happens rarely. If you don't mind hanging out in the vestibule (and my conductors really don't care at all) you'll be fine.

Permalink Reply by Anika on August 30, 2013 at 2:09pm
Why are children under the age of 12 not allowed to board with their bikes? Is it a child's ability to lift a bike on to a train efficiently? There are several places my family would like to go to ride but this rule always stops us since I have one child in a seat and one the rides independently.
Permalink Reply by Mark on August 31, 2013 at 12:52am

Children under 12, without a parent I believe. ( I will get further information on Tuesday when I go back to work)  How old is the child who rides independently? 

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on August 31, 2013 at 1:56am

If that's the case, the website could use some appending on this.

From http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/utility_landing/riding_metra/bik...

1. Individual cyclists must be at least 16 years old. Riders aged 12 through 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 12 are not permitted.

Mark said:

Children under 12, without a parent I believe. ( I will get further information on Tuesday when I go back to work)  How old is the child who rides independently? 

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