Bike-on-Rail Restrictions Lifted! Effective Immediately!!!

April 28, 2011 at 3:50 pm | Posted in Bike News | 11 Comments

photo courtesy Nate Baird

Effectively immediately, restrictions limiting bikes-on-rail during peak hours are lifted. We previously reported through Twitter/Facebook that it would be effective July 1st, based on follow-up conversations with Metro staff after the Board Meeting, but we were just informed the lifting of the peak hour restrictions is effective immediately!!

Until today bicycles have not been allowed on Metro rail during peak hours, however this rule has not been enforced and has created ambiguity for transit riders. Additionally, while Red and Purple line trains have been modified to better accommodate bicycles, luggage, and other bulky items, light rail cars have not. Starting now, as Gold and Green line trains receive routine maintenance a few seats will be removed to provide clear and dedicated space for bicycles, luggage, strollers and additional bulky items.  Metro is trying to do this in a cost-effective manner so this process will not be a fast one, but we should hopefully start seeing light rail cars with more space for bicycles soon.  The Blue line will receive a different treatment that will not require the removal of seating at this point in time.

Today’s Metro Board approval of lifting the restrictions is very much the result of Metro staff working with the bicycling and transit riding community through the Metro Round Table sub-committee meetings held each quarter. Metro staff has shown their commitment to improving transit and bicycle integration and today’s decision reinforces their hard work outside of the Roundtable meetings to address the needs and issues of transit riders who also use bicycles.

For more information about the Metro Bicycle Roundtable sub-committees click here. LACBC will continue to work with all of you and Metro staff to further improve bicycle and transit integration. We’ll spread the word about the next Roundtable Meetings and we encourage folks to attend.

LACBC would like to thank the Metro Board for their decision and acknowledging that bicycles are an integral part of our transportation system that perfectly address the first and last mile issue. We would especially like to thank Mayor Villaraigosa and his staff for their work on this issue.