On Thursday morning I headed down to Union Station to see Metrolink’s latest Bike-Cars! These cars convert the bottom floor of the commuter train into a bike-corral on wheels, and can now hold up to 18 bicycles. The bicycles are laid horizontally and are secured with bungee chords to prevent jostling while the trains moving. You bring your bike on board, park it in one of the spaces, and move onto the upstairs seating area. Check out the above video for an interview with Mark Wier, a manager at Metrolink, and a mini-slideshow of the new cars. We applaud efforts like this, all modes of public transportation need to be as bike-friendly as possible! On Friday these cars went into circulation into the Metrolink network, so hopefully you’ll see them around. For train schedules and images of the train, continue reading!
The Bike-Car Pulled Into Union Station!
Check here to see if your line features a Bike Car!
The following Metrolink trains will have one Bike Car per train set:
Line Trains Ventura County Line 100, 101,107, 110, 112, 121 Burbank-Bob Hope
Airport Line902, 903, 910, 911 San Bernardino Line 304, 315 Riverside Line 405, 407, 408, 410 Orange County Line 602, 604, 605, 607, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 684, 685 Inland Empire-
Orange County Line802, 804, 806, 807, 811, 813
The Bike-Corral On Wheels!
Here are the rules and regulations:
Bike rules
- Bikes must be safely secured within the bike storage area
- Bikes must never block aisles or doors
- Bicyclists must follow the conductor’s instructions to relocate or board an alternative car due to overcrowding and/or if space is needed for a passenger in a wheelchair
- Only single-rider bikes are allowed
- Battery-powered scooters and wheelchairs are permitted
- Folding bikes are allowed on the train and must be stored in the bike storage area
Not allowed:
- Gas-powered vehicles
- Mopeds, motor, tandem and three-wheeled bikes
- Segways (except when used as a mobility device for a passenger with a disability)
- Riding bikes onboard the train or on the station platform
Violating the bike rules may result in removal from the train.
More information can be found at Metrolinks website.
LADOT BIKE BLOG 
Ouch!!! Did the foldie crew just trade down on these new cars?
(above)
Folding bikes are allowed on the train and must be stored in the bike storage area
Could have sworn it was that the foldies were treated just like a peeps having luggage. Just had to be folded.
Yeah the folding rule makes no sense. When stored in their bag, theyre just like any other bag.
Very glad to see Segways are allowed for those with a disability. Many fail tor realize that some disabilities allow standing but not walking (comfortably).
[…] on Metrolink’s new bike cars; thanks to Steven Vance for the heads-up. LADOT Bike Blog rides down to check them out; note that tandems and gas bikes are […]
The system is new and the details are still working out.
1.) Folding bikes are permitted in all cars, just like before. They’d prefer them stowed in the bike area of each car, but use your best judgement– the point is they don’t go flying if the engineer jams on the brakes.
2.) They want the bikes to fit into the “bins.” If you can get your tandem to fit by taking the wheels off prior to boarding, they’ll probably let it slide. Don’t roll it on and then spend 3 minutes fumbling to get it stowed; ditto on exit.
3.) gas bikes– gasoline is not permitted on Metrolink at any time. You really want flammables riding around with you? You seen the tanks and fuel lines on some of those gas bikes: stinky, dripping?
Are bikes still allowed on the regular cars if the bike cars are too crowded? Will all the trains have bike cars?
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