In victory for cyclists, Metro allows bikes on rail lines
In a victory for cyclists, Metro has repealed its peak-hour restrictions for taking bicycles aboard rail cars.
Metro's previous policy said bikes could not be taken aboard Blue, Gold, Red and Green Line trains in certain directions between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and could also not be taken aboard from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in all areas within L.A.'s central business district.
Cyclists using Metro have not always followed the guidelines, but Metro officials said they hope more cyclists will use the system knowing they can "begin and end their trips using bicycles."
Some seats will also be removed from Gold, Green and Blue line trains to accommodate bicycles. Seat removal on the Red/Purple Line has already occurred, Metro said.
Metro officials said they also plan to increase the frequency of some rail service to compensate for the seats removed.
The vote occurred Thursday.
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-- Ari Bloomekatz
Photo: The subway at Union Station. Credit: Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
it's about time.
People were riding with it anyways.
Also, how are you going to ride the rail with out a bike. there is no parking!
even the super big parking lot in norwalk fills up at 5:30 am!
Posted by: TGIF | April 29, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Metro better remove more seats near the doors than. Often is jammed at rush hour and then bikes try and get on. It's often a mess.
Posted by: tornadoes28 | April 29, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Finally, an end to an incredibly stupid policy. For years I lived within biking distance of a station, and worked within biking distance of the other end of the line, but was unable to legally use the train to get to work because of this rule. MTA representatives always responded to my queries by saying "other cities have the same rule". Well, the other cities they mentioned (Chicago, Washington DC, New York, etc.) also have more complete train systems. Bikes make sense for LA. Kudos for finally adjusting the rules to fit our reality.
Posted by: Matt | April 29, 2011 at 11:32 AM
I rode the Blue Line for nearly seven years and always thought the restrictions on bicycles during "peak times" were nonsense. This should have been corrected long ago.
Posted by: Tom | April 29, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Good move. I used the subway for a Lakers playoff game last week and I saw tons of people using their bikes to get to the subway. Let them bring it on, it really is no hassle for other riders.
Posted by: Gaucho420 | April 29, 2011 at 11:45 AM
This bike policy was followed about as much as the no eating, drinking, or blocking the doorways policy. Not to mention the letting those exiting get off before you enter policy.
Posted by: pmg | April 29, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Does this mean that Mayor Villaraigosa will be biking and riding the subway to his office each day? lol
Posted by: Anonymous | April 29, 2011 at 12:12 PM
The problem on the green line during rush hour. Everyone congugates at the doors and never leave. Only (try) to make an early departure when the stop arrives. Bikes, handicap, kids, panhandlers, seniors, pick pockets, and ticket dodgers. Now it will only get worse with fewer seats.
Posted by: Ty | April 29, 2011 at 12:15 PM
At last, Metro is forced to stop obstructing transit.
Posted by: Jackalope | April 29, 2011 at 12:34 PM
good change but we need more to promote public transit and biking in LA.
Its sunny LA and yet we are still stuck most of the time in traffic in our 4 door car or SUV.
Posted by: Pete | April 29, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Hallelujah, its about time!
Posted by: James McCuen | April 29, 2011 at 02:00 PM
Great news!!! More reasons not to buy gas!
Posted by: JWC | April 29, 2011 at 02:02 PM
Excellent! I for one didn't know about this law and always take my bike on metro! yay for health!
Posted by: Elizabeth Freebird | April 29, 2011 at 02:05 PM
Awesome! Would be cool if they had a car or a large section of the car with no seats.. making easy in/out access.
Portland's rail has bike hangers right next to the doors.. which I thought was a good idea..
Posted by: TrueFreedom | April 29, 2011 at 02:26 PM
I wonder what the Fire Marshall thinks of this?
Posted by: My opinon means nothing | April 29, 2011 at 02:31 PM
Finally something smart and simple out of government!
Posted by: Francisco | April 29, 2011 at 02:55 PM
I've been waiting for this day for a long time.
I can finally effectively use the metro!
Posted by: Enrique | April 29, 2011 at 03:01 PM
I ride the green line daily, Norwalk to El Segundo. You would have never known there was a rule regarding bikes being on the train at ANY time.
So now that its OK, will all the rude bike riders that slam their dirty bike tires into peoples legs and block the doors start putting your bikes where they belong and out of the way?
Posted by: bill lopez | April 29, 2011 at 03:22 PM
GO METRO!
Posted by: Mosqo55 | April 29, 2011 at 03:55 PM
good for metro coming to its senses. metro's a good, potentially great, system. now how to get youngsters to give up seats to elders, or better, not sit in those seats in the first place.
Posted by: msedano | April 29, 2011 at 04:28 PM
More tripping over bikes left in the aisles!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | April 29, 2011 at 09:41 PM
Considering that no one obeyed this law before, and no one was enforcing it, what has changed?
Posted by: JS | May 04, 2011 at 10:21 AM