Metro Considers Ending Rush Hour Ban for Bikes on Trains

That headline is true. This is not April Fool's Day. But did I mention that the Metro in question is LA's. They already only ban bikes in the rush hour direction and not along the entire line.

bikes are allowed on all trains except for the following times and directions:

Weekdays 6:30-8:30am
Metro Blue Line	Long Beach > 7th/Metro
Metro Gold Line	Sierra Madre Villa > Union Station
Metro Green Line	Norwalk > Marine
Metro Red Line	Union Station <> Wilshire/Vermont (both directions)
Weekdays 4:30 - 6:30pm
Metro Blue Line	7th/Metro > Long Beach
Metro Gold Line	Union Station > Sierra Madre Villa
Metro Green Line	Marine > Norwalk
Metro Red Line	Union Station <> Wilshire/Vermont (both directions)

Anyway, now they're considering removing even these restrictions.

This Thursday, Metro will take the first public steps to remove its rush hour bans against bikes on certain trains.  In just the year and a half since LA Streetsblog began publishing, Metro has threatened to vigorously enforce this ban, backed off strict enforcement, piloted a program of taking out seats to make more space for bikes on trains, expanded that pilot to more trains and now is publicly talking about ending all "bike bans" in favor of signage directing cyclists to the best places to rest bikes while riding the trains.

Just saying...and WMATA General Manager came here from the the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Comments

[MB]

While I'd personally appreciate a lifting of the ban, I can appreciate why it's in place (well, during the actual crowding hours, anyway).

[Washcycle]

I get it too. And I doubt a full removal would make sense. But I know that there are parts of the system - especially reverse commutes - that have plenty of capacity. I used to ride from Capitol Hill to New Carrollton in the morning and the cars were empty.

[The Natural Capital]

Oh man, you got me. I understand the crowding issues, but DC's definition of "rush hour" is much longer than the real period of crowding. The current situation is still better than when I first moved to DC, though, when you had to get a specially-issued photo id to be allowed to take your bike on Metro, at all.