Bicycle Friendly America Summer 2017 - 14

2017 NATIONAL BIKE SUMMIT

AMTRAK:
WELCOMING
BIKES ON TRAINS
A

lthough customers are currently
limited to bringing standard bikes,
this hasn't stopped cyclists from
planning combined bike-rail adventures.
More than 14,000 cyclists have ridden
with their bikes in tow since fall 2016,
and reservations into this spring and
summer are booking fast. The best part
is that no bike disassembly is required!
During the recent Bike League Annual
Summit, Amtrak welcomed members
of the bike community at Washington,
DC's Union Station, where the company showed off three types of equipment
used for bike service. More than 50 participants from associations and advocacy
groups sent delegates to test the equipment and ask questions about Amtrak
bike service.
Amtrak State Partner Liaison Caitlin
Cooper, who coordinates the company's
efforts to improve the services offered
to bike-riding customers, was on hand
to demonstrate safe bicycle loading and
provide information. "It was fun to show
the participants all the ways we have redesigned existing space on our equipment to improve bike storage. It was also
a great opportunity for us to demonstrate
future enhancements that are still need-

14 BICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA

ed before we can carry recumbent, tandem and fat tire bicycles," said Cooper.
"Hopefully we inspired some future train
+ bike adventures too."
Cooper oversaw installation of bike
racks on the Vermonter (Washington-St.
Albans, Vt.), the bi-level Superliner cars
used on the Capitol Limited, and the new
Viewliner II baggage cars. These three car
types are described as follows:

Amfleet I Car: In 2015, Amtrak began
installing bike racks in 12 Amfleet I cars,
which allow for the safe carriage of unboxed bikes. Passengers riding to and
from a Green Mountain state destination on the Vermonter may reserve one
of these spots for $10-$20 depending on
the city. Current capacity on the Vermont
service is three bikes.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Bicycle Friendly America Summer 2017