Metro Expands Hours for Bikes on Rail

[editor]

METRO EXPANDS METRORAIL BIKE HOURS

As part of its transition to a new METRO, the agency is working with BikeHouston to develop additional ways to make public transportation a viable option when biking around Houston.

The regional transportation authority is working with the bicycle advocacy group to get the word out about expanded hours for bicycles boarded on METRORail and the need for safety as the new policy takes effect.

Starting Monday July 19th, 2010, bike riders can board light-rail vehicles Monday-Friday except for peak hours (6:30 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.) when passenger loads are heaviest and boarding with a bike most difficult. Bikes are limited to two per rail car including weekends at all service hours.

“Our partnership with BikeHouston represents the kind of collaboration the community will see from the new METRO,” said Acting President & CEO George Greanias.   “Biking and METRO are important alternatives to driving and are natural complements, reducing both traffic and helping clean our air. With these expanded hours we can accommodate riders during our busiest light-rail hours, and make more room on the system for those whose commute includes bicycles.”

Bikes, until now, were allowed on trains from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. until the last evening run.

Working with the biking community, METRO launched a highly successful bike rack program on buses in 2007. Today, most METRO buses are equipped with either bike racks or storage compartments, and total bikes boarded since the launch have topped 156,000.

BikeHouston and METRO are examining other ways to make Houston transit more bike friendly with collaboration on placement of bike racks along light-rail boarding platforms and utilization of interior space on rail cars as more miles are added to local light-rail systems.

Peter Wang, League Cycling Instructor and advisor to BikeHouston noted, “Bicycling advocates welcome the expansion of bikes-on-board hours to accommodate both "Early Bird" and "Late Sleeper" commuters.  We urge bicyclist commuters to be mindful of the needs of fellow passengers. Walk (don't ride) your bike on train platforms and sidewalks. Stay out of people's way, don't cram into a crowded rail car, and keep your bike clean."

METRO is working with the City of Houston to improve residents’ ability to get around and exercise at the same time. The new Irvington Bike Lanes, will give bikers a safe trail near the North Line light rail which is now under construction. METRORail bike guidelines and Houston Bikeways Program can help you understand how to get around Houston fast, safe and economically.

[kylejack]

Excellent. I think they could expand the early morning hours a bit more if they required bikes to ride on the back car of a double only. The back car of a double is almost always much less full than the front car.

[ricco67]

Now if they will only be flexible enough to run the trains later/more frequent after events at reliant...

[houstonmacbro]

Now if they will only be flexible enough to run the trains later/more frequent after events at reliant...

Or a train to my neck of the woods (North Houston).

I am impressed by the number of buses with bike racks. Seems they get a lot of use out on the 86 in the FM 1960 area.

[Subdude]

Good news - a step in the right direction.

[kylejack]

Or a train to my neck of the woods (North Houston).

I am impressed by the number of buses with bike racks. Seems they get a lot of use out on the 86 in the FM 1960 area.

It is every bus now, except a handful of old articulated ones. The big commuter style buses have a luggage panel on the side for bikes.

[ricco67]

A trial is on, and I think t his is the best logical way. I think it will actually add to the capacity of the train. Of course, they might need to add a few more straps.

MetroBlog.

[kylejack]

A trial is on, and I think t his is the best logical way. I think it will actually add to the capacity of the train. Of course, they might need to add a few more straps.

MetroBlog.

Sir, that is not a bicycle.

[ricco67]

Wow. Is that actually here in houston??

[kylejack]

Yes, yesterday afternoon, the first day the seats had been taken out. Dude wasted absolutely no time, haha.

[ricco67]

Wow.

Should be interesting when the metro cops come on board. More power to him...so to speak.

[dbigtex56]

Sir, that is not a bicycle.

Somehow, I don't feel safe riding in an enclosed space with a couple of gallons of gasoline sloshing around in an unrestrained vehicle. What a jerk.

One issue that I have with the train is the difficulty of communicating with the operator. This guy should have been booted off and ticketed.

[ricco67]

Somehow, I don't feel safe riding in an enclosed space with a couple of gallons of gasoline sloshing around in an unrestrained vehicle. What a jerk.

One issue that I have with the train is the difficulty of communicating with the operator. This guy should have been booted off and ticketed.

Then perhaps the photo should be sent to METRO or perhaps the kind people of metro that peruse this place need to take note.