Last year, the FRA released the Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement on their plan to upgrade and invest in the Northeast railroad corridor between Boston and Washington, DC. There's not much in it about biking, just a nod that some people bike commute and that those numbers are increasing, especially thanks to bike share.
Seven metropolitan areas experienced an increase in the size of the commuting workforce between 2006 and 2012: Boston, MA; Norwich and Bridgeport, CT; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Baltimore, MD; and Washington, D.C. Of these, three metropolitan areas, Norwich, New York City, and Philadelphia also observed a net decrease in the number of commuters driving to work and a net increase in the number of commuters using public transit, Regional rail riders, cyclists, and walkers.
In addition to passenger rail and public transit, cycling is growing as a preferred travel mode. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Census American Community Survey, the four largest cities in the Study Area each experienced growth from 2000 to 2013 in the percentage of commuting by bicycle. Over the same time period, the percentage of commuting by car declined and the percentage of public transit increased in each market. The introduction of bicycle-sharing in markets throughout the Study Area creates more access to bicycles and supports the ongoing popularity of cycling as a viable mode for travel and commutation.
[I'm not sure that's the right use of commutation, but I could be wrong]. There is nothing in the EIS about bikes on Amtrak, bike parking, bike access, on-site bike sharing kiosks or rails-with-trails. Which may be OK, but nonetheless bike advocates wrote in during the comment period to support these items anyway. Just recently the FRA released the summary report based on the comments they received on the Draft EIS.
The FRA also heard from many cycling advocates who want to see better accommodation for bicycles on board trains, at stations, and in the design of rail infrastructure:
“We urge the Federal Railroad Administration to consider the benefits of a bike-inclusive approach to NEC planning that would allow for both increased connectivity and higher use with lower demand for parking…we would like to request that both roll-on/roll-off bike access and secure bike parking at Amtrak stations be provided to NEC customers. In addition, the FRA should take advantage of opportunities for NEC expansion to provide a true multi-use corridor…In particular, we ask that specific attention be given to the inclusion of multi-use trails on rail bridges. Bridges are often barriers to full development of bicycle route networks when the bridges do not accommodate bicycles.”
“A passenger rail network that accommodates bicycles will reduce the environmental impact of the transportation system.”
And there is reason to be hopefully that these kinds of things could be included
Of particular interest to the FRA were comments about how to make the NEC a more customer-friendly, attractive transport mode with features such as “roll-on, roll-off” bicycle access, a common fare medium across operators, and better integration between Regional and Intercity operators. The FRA is looking closely at how to incorporate these and similar operating enhancements into the Preferred Alternative.
Still, others were more concerned about the impact on existing trails
“…several [trails] have the potential to be impacted…particularly the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail due to the fact that it generally follows the NEC Future Corridor for its length…”
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