Amtrak Bicycle Carriage Policy
Proposed Changes to the Amtrak Bicycle Carriage Policy
Cyclotour Guide Books
Harvey Botzman
PO Box 10585 Rochester NY
14610-0585 USA
Tel. & Fax: 585 244-6157
www.cyclotour.com
cyclotour@cyclotour.com
July 7, 2008
Comments and proposals for the improvement of bicycle carriage facilities on railroads operating in New York State
These comments consist of four parts. Each section contains short term and long-term
solutions for the enhancement of bicycle carriage facilities on railroads operating in New
York State:
Cyclotour Guide Books Position
Statement pg.
1
Bicycle Carriage on Long Distance Railroads -
Amtrak pg.
2
Bicycle Carriage and Bicycle Parking at Stations on Commuter and Light Rail Railroads
pg. 5
Railroad right of way and multi-use trail
development pg.
7
General Position Statement
Mr. Harvey Botzman, author of four guidebooks detailing bicycle tour routes in New York
State is a bicyclist who frequently uses inter-modal transportation facilities in the
State. Mr. Botzman has over 8000 Amtrak Guest Rewards points, almost all of which are for
travel in New York State. Cyclotour Guide Books publishes Mr. Botzman’s bicycle tour
guidebooks.
Before 2006, Mr. Botzman rode a standard triangle frame upright bicycle. Each
time he traveled on Amtrak trains with his bicycle, he boxed it and used the Lake Shore
Limited train to transport the bicycle to and from various stations in New York State
and in other states. Mr. Botzman now rides a folding bicycle. The folding bicycle allows
him to have more transportation options.
Mr. Botzman’s position on train bicycle carriage is: increasing the ease of bicycle
carriage on passenger trains will contribute to an increase in the number of paying
passengers who normally would not use or even think of using passenger railroad service to
transport themselves with their bicycles. Increasing the ease of bicycle carriage on
passenger trains will encourage tourists, both residents and non-residents, to travel
throughout the State.
Long Distance Railroads and Bicycle Carriage
Current bicycle carriage facilities and polices on Long Distance Amtrak Trains traversing
New York State
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (NRPC), Amtrak, operates almost all interstate
and intrastate long distance railroad passenger trains in New York State. Amtrak’s
bicycle carriage policy varies with the type of rolling stock facilities available on
specific trains. Amtrak’s folding bicycle policy is a constant throughout the NRPC
system.
Folding Bikes Brought Aboard as Carry-On Baggage
Folding bicycles may be brought aboard certain passenger cars as carry-on baggage. Only
true folding bicycles (bicycles specifically designed to fold up into a compact assembly)
are acceptable. Generally, these bikes have frame latches allowing the frame to be
collapsed, and small wheels. Regular bikes of any size, with or without wheels, are not
considered folding bikes, and may not be stored as folding bikes aboard trains.
You must fold up your folding bicycle before boarding the train. You may store the bike
only in luggage storage areas at the end of the car (or, in Superliners, on the lower
level). You may not store bikes in overhead racks.
http://www.amtrak.com/ and the Amtrak National Timetable
The certain passenger cars noted in this policy includes all Amtrak trains
operating in New York State including the inter-state Lake Shore Limited, Ethan
Allen; Vermonter, Acela Express, Northeast Regional and
other long distance trains emanating from New York City; the international Adirondack
and Maple Leaf trains, and the intra-state Empire Service trains.
Carriage of other types of bicycles on Amtrak trains traversing New York State is limited
by:
1. a baggage car being available on a given
train;
2. the originating and terminating stations both have
checked baggage service.
Practically, this means transporting a non-folding bicycle on trains traversing New York
State is limited to only one (1) Amtrak passenger train, in each direction, between
Amtrak’s Buffalo-Depew Station and New York City’s Pennsylvania Station. Only
seven (7) of the 35 Amtrak stations in New York State have facilities for handling checked
baggage from a baggage car.
The Adirondack, Ethan Allen, and Maple Leaf trains do not have
a baggage car and therefore are unable to transport bicycles (boxed or unboxed other than
folding bicycles.) Before 2002, both the Adirondack and Ethan Allen
trains allowed the carriage of unboxed bicycles in the oversize baggage area of each
passenger railroad car. Before 2000, the Maple Leaf, Adirondack and Montrealer
trains were equipped with baggage cars permitting the carriage of boxed bicycles.
Harvey Botzman and Cyclotour Guide Books recognize the significant detriments for
improving bicycle carriage on long distance passenger railroad trains in New York State,
not the least of which are
1. Lack of baggage cars in the Amtrak fleet
2. Baggage handling facilities at only 7 (seven) Amtrak stations
3. Lack of recognition that bicyclists represent significant
number of passengers and potential passengers
4. Failure to effectively market Amtrak’s existing bicycle
carriage service to the bicycling community
5. The need for new or reconditioned Amtrak rolling stock
designed to accommodate unboxed fully assembled bicycles
6. The on time performance of passenger railroad trains in
the State.
Short Term Bicycle Carriage Policy for Long Distance Passenger Trains in New York
State
The policy change suggested for the short term does not require any infrastructure
investment on the part of Amtrak, the NYS Department of Transportation, the State of New
York, or any municipality. It does require a minimal investment (~$40-60.00 (2008 prices))
by a bicyclist for the purchase of a bicycle bag.
Harvey Botzman and Cyclotour Guide Books believe Amtrak’s folding bicycle policy has
great relevance for increasing the number of passengers traveling on Amtrak trains in New
York State with unboxed but bagged standard sized bicycles.
Bicycle bag with both wheels
removed Bicycle
bag with only the front wheel removed
In most European nations, Japan and China there are two major ways of transporting a
bicycle on long distance passenger trains:
1. a sturdy bicycle bag allows passengers to bring their bicycles into
the passenger compartment/car and store it there with oversize baggage, without the use of
a bicycle box. The passenger owns or rents these bicycle bags. This is the short term, no
infrastructure cost policy change.
2 a separate bicycle baggage area in each passenger railway car
containing ceiling/wall hooks for hanging or strapping bicycles (this is the long term
solution.)
A full sized bicycle with its pedals/wheels removed and its handlebars turned fits in a
standard soft sided bicycle bag measuring ~ 48”x39”x7” (~1.2m x1m x.2m.)
These bags are not much larger than soft sided bicycle bags used to carry folding bicycles
and certainly lighter in weight, when containing a bicycle, than the weight of some
suitcases used by passengers to carry their personal belongings. This bicycle bag can
easily fit into the current space allotted for either wheelchairs or large bags at the
front or/and rear of all Amtrak passenger cars currently in-service in New York State.
Amtrak can stock and sell these bags at every station having a ticket agent. It can sell
these bags via an on-line link from its web site to the Cyclotour Guide Books web site;
link to bicycle shops and retailers specializing in bicycling parts; or to the New York
Bicycling Coalition. Cyclotour Guide Books is willing to help Amtrak market the idea of
using a bicycle in a bag on its trains.
Amtrak may have to establish a bicycle reservation system similar to the system
available on its Cascade or other trains.
Amtrak will benefit from this change in its bicycle carriage policy from “standard
sized bicycles only in a box” to “partially disassembled bicycles in a sturdy
canvas or ‘600+ denier nylon/Cordura® bicycle bag’ by the:
1. sale of such bags;
2. increase in the number of paying passengers who
would not normally use or even think of using Amtrak to transport themselves with their
bicycle for a business, family, or vacation trip.
The New York State Department of Transportation will benefit by this change in
Amtrak’s bicycle carriage policy from “standard sized bicycles only in a
box” to “partially disassembled bicycles in a sturdy canvas or ‘600+ denier
nylon/Cordura bicycle bag” by having bicyclists perceive the Department as being
concerned with and seeking to improve inter-modal transportation facilities for
bicyclists.
Municipalities throughout New York State will benefit from this change in its bicycle
carriage policy from “standard sized bicycles only in a box” to “partially
disassembled bicycles in a sturdy canvas or ‘600+ denier nylon/Cordura” bicycle
bag’ by the anticipated increase in tourism revenue from bicyclists coming to their
area to bicycle tour.
Current Baggage Space in each Amtrak
Empire Service
Passenger Car
Facilitating bicycle carriage on passenger trains is particularly relevant for
bringing bicyclists living in large urban and megalopolis regions such as the New York
Metropolitan SMSA Region, Boston, Chicago, Washington D. C., Toronto, and Montreal to New
York State. These potential users of the railroad system may not own an automobile or even
have a driver’s license due to their use of public transportation and their bicycle
as a means of everyday transportation. Better bicycle carriage facilities on Amtrak trains
serving New York State most certainly would encourage bicycle tourism throughout the
State. Bicycle tourists tend to spend as much for lodging, food and other services as
automobile, airplane, and rail tourists.
This change in policy is predicated on Amtrak implementing such a policy change in
a timely manner and devoting a sufficient amount of its marketing budget to advertise the
new “bicycle in a bag” policy throughout New York State and in the regions noted
in the preceding paragraph. Let us not neglect the remainder of the 2008 summer/fall
tourism season while tourists are very conscious of using public transit for travel.
The New York State Department of Transportation and the New York State Division of
Tourism can help to promote bicycle carriage on passenger railroad trains by providing
grants to market this change in Amtrak’s “bicycles on trains in New York
State” policy during the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 fiscal years.
Medium
Term Bicycle Carriage Policies for Long Distance Passenger Trains in New York State
During the next two to three years, the New York State Department of Transportation
must make a commitment to fund baggage cars, fitted with bicycle racks, on all passenger
railroad trains operating in New York State.
The retrofitting or reconditioning of baggage cars to accommodate un-boxed bicycles
is a relatively inexpensive and cost efficient way to increase bicycle carriage facilities
on passenger trains.
The inclusion of a baggage car on every Amtrak train will allow the National
Railroad Passenger Corporation to increase its ability to transport and earn revenue from
the carriage of Amtrak Express shipments, private courier packages and US Postal Service
mail in addition to the free carriage of un-boxed bicycles.
Long
Term Bicycle Carriage Policies for Long Distance Passenger Trains in New York State
The Amtrak trains operating in New York State are among the oldest trains in
Amtrak’s fleet. Although these trains have not exhausted their useful life, many are
almost ready for extensive reconditioning.
Amtrak has not announced a timetable, design competition, specifications, or an RFP
for the design of new Amtrak train sets or cars to operate on New York State routes. The
NPRC must begin planning for long term changes in the way individuals travel on its routes
in New York State, the United States, and on its international routes to Canada.
Suffice it to state, there are many possible configurations of railroad passenger
cars with dedicated bicycle carriage areas. The important point is for every newly
purchased and reconditioned Amtrak passenger railroad car to have a dedicated space
allotted for the carriage of un-boxed and un-bagged bicycles as well as for boxed and
bagged bicycles; including adequate doorway clearance for bringing bicycles aboard.
The specifications for designing new railroad passenger cars shall include space
for the carriage of un-boxed and un-bagged bicycles in addition to bagged and boxed
bicycles; and that bicycle width and length be considered when designing doorways on new
passenger cars. Such specifications may meet or exceed ADA specifications.
Wide doors on Danish trains
Bike Racks in a separate area in the passenger car of a German train
Cyclotour Guide Books, Amtrak, other passenger railroads, and organizations such as
the New York Bicycling Coalition need adequate
funds to the idea of market bicycle carriage on passenger trains operating in New York
State. The budgets of the NYS Department of Transportation; Department of Economic
Development; Division of Tourism; and the OPRHP must be include funds for marketing bagged
and un-boxed bicycle carriage on passenger trains.
Commuter
Railroads and Bicycle Carriage
Current
bicycle carriage facilities and policies on commuter trains
Mr. Botzman recognizes commuter railroads in the New York SMSA as successfully
carrying unboxed bicycles during non-rush hours. Since 1994, he has bicycled from
Rochester to New York City and then used the commuter railroads to transport his bicycle
and himself to visit relatives and friends in Westchester County and New Jersey. The
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates the Long Island Railroad, Metro-North
Railroad; New York City Subway and the Staten Island Railway; New Jersey Transit operates
the Main/Bergen Line to Port Jervis, NY; and the light rail line operated by the Niagara
Frontier Transportation Authority are all commuter rail lines in New York State.
Short-term
improvements for bicycle carriage, parking facilities & policies on commuter railroads
The major commuter railroad operating authorities (MTA, NJT and NFTA) need to
enhance their unboxed bicycle carriage policy. To accomplish this, each railroad shall
consult on a monthly basis with statewide and regional bicycle clubs and organizations.
The proceedings/minutes of such meetings shall be posted on the railroad operating
authorities’ web site as well as on the regional bicycle clubs and
organizations’ web sites.
The unboxed bicycle carriage policy of the MTA needs to be enhanced by allowing
bicycle carriage on weekends.
The MTA and New Jersey Transit must enhance, facilitate, improve and encourage
bicyclists to transport their unboxed/un-bagged bicycles on commuter trains.
To enhance bicycle carriage on commuter railroads, bagged (bicycle bags as
described above) bicycles shall be permitted on all scheduled commuter railroad trains
except during morning and evening weekday rush hours unless.
The NYS DOT shall require the commuter railroads operating in New York State to
design and purchase new commuter railroad passenger cars with additional or enlarged
facilities, including adequate doorway clearance, to accommodate unboxed, un-bagged fully
assembled bicycles as well as sufficient space for disabled passengers in wheelchair or
wheelchair like conveyances.
All commuter railroad passenger cars now in the design phase shall include
sufficient space, including adequate doorway clearance, for the carriage of unboxed
bicycles, un-bagged and fully assembled bicycles.
All contracts, for new commuter railroad passenger cars shall include a provision
to include sufficient space, including adequate doorway clearance, for the carriage of
unboxed bicycles, un-bagged and fully assembled bicycles.
Signs and pictures advertising the use of and rules governing the carriage of fully
assembled bicycles on commuter railroad trains shall be used to market each commuter
railroad’s bicycle carriage service.
The Department of Transportation in conjunction with commuter railroad station
operating authorities and municipalities shall determine a formula for the adequate number
of bicycle parking spaces and lockers at each commuter rail station. This formula shall
take into consideration the average number of current rush hour commuters as well as the
projected number of future bicycle commuters at a station.
Bicycle
Parking at New Brunswick New Jersey Transit/Amtrak Station
Medium
term and long term bicycle carriage policies; bicycle parking at commuter train stations
At the very least, all new commuter railroad cars shall include an area, for the
transport of unboxed/un-bagged bicycles, near the front and the rear of each
commuter railroad car.
Future design specifications for commuter railroad passenger cars shall include
sufficient space, including adequate doorway clearance, for the carriage of un-boxed
bicycles, un-bagged and fully assembled bicycles.
It is important to note that the continuing policy of the commuter railroads to
upgrade their station platforms for platform level passenger entry & egress from
railroad cars can only serve to enhance bicycle carriage on the commuter railroads.
Secure covered bicycle parking shall be provided at every commuter railroad
station. Secure bicycle parking shall include secure inverse U racks; ribbon racks;
Toronto style post/ring racks and other designs of bicycle racks but not the old style
long slot (wheel bender) racks. Bicycle lockers shall be at every commuter railroad
station.
Railroad Right of Way and
Bicycle/Multi-Use Trail Development
Many New York State residents and out of state visitors to New York State prefer to
bicycle on multi-use trails. Wally Nielsen, a New York State citizen, advocated and wrote
the first definitive analysis for converting abandoned railroad rights of way into
multi-use trails.
Transportation Equity Act legislation stimulated the continuing conversion of
abandoned railroad and other utility companies’ rights of way to multi-use trails.
New York State, municipalities and community based non-profit organizations convert
hundreds of miles of abandoned railroad rights of way into useful off-road bicycle and
multi-use trails for commuting, recreation and preservation of open space.
Mr. Botzman and Cyclotour Guide Books support and provide help to municipalities
and community organizations seeking to convert abandoned railroad rights of way to
multi-use trails.
Mr. Botzman strongly urges the New York State Department of Transportation to
establish a dedicated fund from which municipalities and non-profit organizations can draw
a limited amount of continuing trail maintenance funds for the purchase of trail
maintenance equipment. The fund should be capital equipment fund for the purchases of
small trail graders, mowers, secure maintenance sheds, etc. Community based non-profit
organizations and municipalities might not have the capital funds to purchase this
equipment.
More importantly, the New York State Department of Transportation and other State
Departments must simplify the process of converting abandoned or soon to be abandoned
railroad and utility company rights of way to multi-use trails.
A number of states and not a few Canadian provinces have altered their regulations
in regard to establishing multi-use trails along not only abandoned railroad rights of way
but also actively operating railroad rights of way. Many active one-track lines were once
multi-track and there is more than sufficient room for multi-use trails and facilities to
parallel such one track or multi-track railroad lines with a wide right of way.
These potential multi-use trails are located in a geographic position similar to
those multi-use trails now in use and located on limited access motor vehicle highway
rights of way. The Department of Transportation and the railroads owning the rights of way
on which trains (freight and passenger) are now operating must begin discussions to
establish the rules and regulations for the State, railroads, municipalities and local
non-profit organizations to build and maintain multi-use trails on such rights of way.
Typical converted railroad right of way converted to a multi-use trail
The establishment of rules and regulations, including the establishment of a
bicycling community-railroad committee governing the building, maintenance and possible
disputes arising from trails on, near or crossing railroad rights of way will avoid
situations such as exist at Rotterdam Junction. The New York State Canal
Corporation/National Parks Service Canalway Trail was unilaterally severed by the
operating railroad at Rotterdam Junction. This has led to extremely poor public relations
between the railroad and its supporters in the political and citizen community.
Whew! Or wheel
Harvey Botzman and Cyclotour Guide Books submit these comments in the spirit in
which they were solicited, to improve railroad passenger service in the State. Mr. Botzman
believes increasing on board bicycle carriage facilities; bicycle parking facilities at
stations; and the conversion of railroad rights of way to multi-use trails can only
benefit the residents and citizens of New York State.
Respectfully submitted,
Author/Publisher
Many Options for Our Bike-Riding Passengers
We offer several options for transporting your bicycle with you on your Amtrak journey.
Options include:
* Bicycles stored onboard in bike racks.
* Bicycles checked as baggage in a box or other secure container.
* Bicycles checked as baggage secured by tie-down equipment, not in a box.
* Folding bicycles brought onboard as carry-on baggage.
Bicycles Stored Onboard in Bicycle Racks
On some Amtrak trains you can roll your bike up to the train and secure it in a bike rack,
unboxed.
Availability
Availability of this service varies widely from train to train, and station to station.
Please call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800- 872-7245) to determine whether bicycle rack space is
available on a particular train and route.
Please reserve space early.
You can reserve space for bicycles when you make a ticket reservation. We charge a fee
(generally ranging from $5 to $10 depending on route and distance traveled) for reserving
a space in the bike rack. If space is available, you will be issued a ticket for bike rack
space. Please be prepared to give this ticket to the conductor when boarding with your
bicycle.
If a space on the bicycle rack is unavailable, you may be able to check your bike as
carry-on baggage. See below.
Secure your bike
On some trains, bungee cords and locking mechanisms are incorporated into the bicycle
rack. You may find it useful to bring your own bungee cords to further secure your bike to
the rack.
No unusual bikes allowed
Please note that bicycle racks will not accommodate tandem, recumbent, or other unusual
bikes. Such bikes must be transported as checked baggage, in a box. Please see below.
Specially designated spaces only
Bikes may not be transported in the vestibule of any car, except in spaces specially
designated on certain limited trains.
Liability
Amtrak disclaims liability for loss of or damage to bicycles carried onboard and stored in
bike racks.
Bikes as Checked Baggage
You can bring your bicycle on Amtrak as checked baggage between all cities where checked
baggage services are offered. Keep in mind that not all stations or trains have checked
baggage service, and that baggage service may not be available every day. For more
information, please call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) or your agent.
Tips for successfully packing your bicycle:
* Check your bicycle at the station at least an hour before departure.
* Bicycles usually must be partially disassembled: Loosen and turn the handlebars
sideways, and remove the pedals. Both wheels must remain in the forks. Nothing may
protrude from the box or make the box bulge. Nothing except the bicycle may be placed in
the box.
* Please bring your own tools. It may be helpful to disassemble and reassemble your bike
before your trip to avoid any surprises. Some parts, especially pedals, may be especially
difficult to remove.
* You may bring your own box or purchase one at the station. Bicycle boxes (new or used)
are also usually available for purchase at staffed stations that accept checked baggage.
The cost of each box is $10. Call ahead for details and to make sure that boxes are
available. Local bicycle shops also may be able to provide you with boxes. After your
trip, you may keep your box and use it again if it is in good condition.
* You may also use a container especially designed for transporting bicycles. Such
containers must have handles and must be fully closed and latched, with no portion of the
bike exposed.
* Attach your name and address to the box.
* Tandem bicycles may be checked and require two boxes, telescoped together.
The fee for checking a bike as baggage is $5. This is subject to change without notice.
Bikes as Checked Baggage on Trains with Tie-Down Equipment
Some trains have tie-down equipment in the baggage car or other areas designated for
checked baggage. Where such equipment is available, you can check your bike without a box
or other container.
This space is limited, and you must reserve it. Typically, there is a reservation charge.
You must accompany your unboxed bike on its journey on the same train. We will not accept
unaccompanied bikes.
Bicycles not in containers are more likely to be damaged in transit. Accordingly, we
disclaim liability for bikes shipped unboxed.
For assistance, please call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).
Folding Bikes Brought Aboard as Carry-On Baggage
[See an official Amtrak document below. It differs from the policy in this paragraph. This
paragraph was copied directly from the Amtrak web site.]
Folding bicycles may be brought aboard certain passenger cars as carry-on baggage. Only
true folding bicycles (bicycles specifically designed to fold up into a compact assembly)
are acceptable. Generally, these bikes have frame latches allowing the frame to be
collapsed, and small wheels. Regular bikes of any size, with or without wheels, are not
considered folding bikes, and may not be stored as folding bikes aboard trains.
You must fold up your folding bicycle before boarding the train. You may store the bike
only in luggage storage areas at the end of the car (or, in Superliners, on the lower
level). You may not store bikes in overhead racks.
Bicycles on Auto Train
We cannot carry automobiles with bicycles loaded on the roof. Please see our Auto Train
Vehicle Requirements for details.
Bicycles on Amtrak Express
Regular bicycles, tandem bicycles, and unicycles may be shipped on Amtrak Express. Bikes
must be securely packed in a box. Bicycles are generally exempt from Amtrak Express size
requirements. More information is available on our Amtrak Express page.
Official Amtrak Document Folding Bicycle Carriage Policy Amtrak Rules &
Regulations
Page 2, Updated Folding Bicycle and Ski Equipment Policy contains
information which is not pertinent to folding bicycles or ski equipment..
Link for additional bicycle carriage access information:
George Farnsworth Bicycle Access on Common Carriers: http://www.gfonline.org/BikeAccess/