Starting tomorrow, BART will begin a pilot program allowing bikes on trains at any time, including rush hours, on Fridays in August, BART announced.
Dubbed "Bike Fridays," the program is intended to test whether BART should liberalize its rules for bikes on board or continue with the current limitations during peak periods on several lines, BART announced in June.
“The bicycling community, particularly the East Bay and San Francisco Bicycle Coalitions, have been instrumental in helping us design this pilot project,” BART Board Vice President Tom Radulovich said in a statement. “Issues surrounding lifting the restrictions have been long-debated inside BART. I’m happy to see that we’re now about to put the idea to the test.”
Some restrictions will remain in place on Fridays in August, including bans on taking bikes onto the first car or onto crowded trains, BART said.
BART estimates that about 4 percent of BART riders travel by bicycle to BART stations, and that about 60 percent of those customers take their bikes on board.
The East Bay Bicycle Coalition, primary advocates for bike policies in the region, released tips for BART bicycle commuters to follow during the pilot program.
From the EBBC:
- If a car is crowded, board another car or wait for the next train. Do not try to wedge a bike into a crowded car.
- Stay out of the 1st car, bikes still not allowed in this lead car
- Exit and board quickly to keep trains on time. A delayed train can have a ripple effect through the entire BART system.
- Step aside when doors are closing to avoid delaying the train.
- Be mindful of your fellow riders and make sure your bike is leaving them adequate space.
- When possible use the designated "bike space" on the cars that have it.
- Do yield to pregnant, disabled and elderly passengers.
More information about the current bicycle policy can be found on BART's bike Web page.
Are you going to take advantage of "Bike Fridays" or do you have an opinion about it? Tell us in the comments section below.
