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Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Earth Day Update - Canada Bike Train
Canadian Bike Train Executive Director Justin LaFontaine sent me this update today regarding The Greenbelt Express (the Toronto-Niagara Bike Train):
Go green this summer, reduce your carbon footprint and protect the environment by choosing a more sustainable mode of travel - and have fun too! The Bike Train will operate on select VIA Rail departures between Toronto and Niagara Falls from June to September 2008.
Explore the agricultural bounty and biodiversity of the Greenbelt, plan a multi-day bike tour along the Greater Niagara Circle Route or the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail, and experience local culture, history and cuisine along the way. The Bike Train schedule allows for short day trips to Niagara. Enjoy even more cycling time by staying overnight. There are a variety of accommodation and getaway package options available.
I look forward to joining Justin for a ride on the Bike Train. Hope to see ya' there.
There is a synergy going between Chicago and Milwaukee. Being less than 100 miles apart makes it enticing to travel between both cities for business and pleasure. Members of the Wisconsin Bicycle Federation and the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation even commute to work from Milwaukee by train. Thus, it comes as no surprise that there is tremendous interest in the region for a Milwaukee-Chicago bike train. In fact, the Wisconsin Bicycle Federation recently sent Amtrak a letter asking that a pilot Amtrak bike train service be initiated between the cities.
Here's what they wrote:
February 26th, 2008
Jerome Trahan Amtrak Field Marketing Senior Officer
Dear Mr. Trahan:
As you know, the Amtrak Hiawatha line that runs between Milwaukee and Chicago has a high volume of commuters and day trippers. As it is right now, bikes must be boxed and an extra baggage fee assessed, making it difficult for people wanting to take their bike on a trip to either city. It is our belief at the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin making it easier for cyclists to take their bike on the Hiawatha and Empire Builder lines by installing bike trains will increase ridership.
Many people in the region also use the Empire Builder line between Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. This train also stops just 20 miles north of another large cyclist population hub in Madison, WI. As with the Hiawatha, there are lots of commuters who travel between Milwaukee and Madison. Allowing riders to simply hop on and off with their bikes it would create a viable transportation alternative.
The goal of The Bicycle Federation is to make Wisconsin a better place for bicycling. We also feel that in order to help create a better environment for easy and safe bicycling we must work to integrate the use of bicycles into mass transit options. One example is our Bike Racks on Buses campaign which has drawn much support from the community and businesses in the Milwaukee area. We feel that in addition to the Bike Racks on Buses campaign, equipping Amtrak trains with bike racks would be beneficial to commuting cyclists.
The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin fully supports any programs that make it easier to travel with a bicycle in conjunction with mass transit options. We feel that the Amtrak pilot bike train project would be beneficial not only to Milwaukee and the surrounding areas but to Amtrak itself. If you or any of your colleagues have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to working with you to make this project a reality.
Sincerely, Jacob Newborn Project Coordinator, Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
Bike-Centric Portland An Ideal Bike Train Destination
Travel Portland CEO Jeff Miller copied me on a letter that he sent yesterday to Amtrak in support of a Bike Train. The letter makes a great case for a bike train serving Portland, Oregon as well as Seattle and Tacoma.
Since the letter was sent as an Adobe .pdf file, I've created an image out of it and placed this below (to enlarge the print for reading, simply click on the image of Jeff's letter).
For the last 2 months, I've been shepherding a campaign to outfit more Amtrak trains with bikes hooks; however, the concept is not new. In countries such as the UK, bike train cars (outfitted from end to end with bike hooks) have existed for over 60 years. Here's proof:
Over the years, Amtrak has operated bike trains in some markets and offered limited numbers of bike hooks on some trains. Hopefully, with more Americans rediscovering the value of rail travel, Amtrak will reach out to accommodate more cyclists too.
By the way, my thanks to fellow cyclist J. Monti for sharing this nostalgic video.
Bike Groups Are Asking Amtrak To Simplify Rail Travel For Cyclists by Larry Lagarde
In mid January, I proposed here on RideTHISbike.com that Amtrak test a service similar to the Canadian Bike Train so more cyclists could bring their bicycles aboard Amtrak trains without needing to box their bikes. A groundswell of positive responses from cyclists around the nation convinced me to take this up with Amtrak. Here's where things stand.
I floated the Bike Train idea with several of Amtrak's marketing folks at their Washington, DC headquarters. My suggestion was received cordially and interest was expressed; however, they suggested that I provide a possible list of places where the Bike Train service might run.
I contacted bike advocacy groups across the nation for input and have been inundated with suggestions as well as offers of support for the project. I pared the list down and submitted it to Amtrak about a month ago.
Although things have been quiet with Amtrak, the buzz continues with cycling groups. I've been invited to attend meetings of various bike clubs and have even been offered airline tickets to fly out to meet folks in person. More importantly, bike groups have been sending letters of support for the project, especially here in the Deep South. Here are links to just a sampling...
Obviously, the Bike Train concept appeals to many cyclists across the USA. Hopefully, Amtrak will find a way to make more accommodations for us.
If your cycling advocacy group would like to contact Amtrak in support of allowing more unboxed bikes on their long distance trains, contact me at the email address listed at the bottom of the page.
Atlanta Bicycle Campaign Asks Amtrak To Offer A Bike Train
Following is a copy of a letter recently sent to Amtrak by the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign asking Amtrak to study the addition of a Bike Train type service on The Crescent (the Amtrak train running from New Orleans to Washington, DC).
I am writing to you as both a long-time Amtrak rider and the executive director of the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign, a 600-strong membership-based bicycle advocacy organization. We recently learned Amtrak was considering running a Bike Train to Atlanta and wanted to voice our strong support for the project.
We would be pleased to help publicize this initiative by notifying our members and contacts through our monthly e-newsletter (reaches nearly 1,000) and by posting information on our website. Atlanta, while not known for being a bicycling city, has an astonishing number of bike shops, cycling clubs, and cyclists throughout the region.
On Sunday, April 20th, we are hosting a large, family-friendly bike ride around Atlanta's future BeltLine. The BeltLine, a potentially transformative project turning old rail lines into greenspace, transit, and economic development, has been reported around the country. We feel our BeltLine Bike Tour could be a draw for Amtrak riders from Birmingham and other cities if there were a bike train in place by that time.
I urge you to place the Atlanta bike train on Amtrak's project list and schedule it for study and implementation as soon as possible.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I look forward to riding the bike train!
Sincerely, Rebecca Serna
Executive Director Atlanta Bicycle Campaign 233 Mitchell St, Suite 315 Atlanta, GA 30303 Office: (404) 881-1112 Web: www.atlantabike.org
The following image is a copy of a letter sent yesterday to Amtrak by the Northeast Alabama Bicycle Club asking Amtrak to provide accommodations for unboxed bicycles on The Crescent (the Amtrak train running from New Orleans to Washington, DC). If the print is too small to read, click on the letter to enlarge it.
Alabama Bicycle Coalition Asks Amtrak To Accept Unboxed Bikes
Relaxing Restrictions Would Unleash Flood Of Cyclists On Amtrak
Following is a copy of a letter recently sent to Amtrak by the Alabama Bicycle Coalition asking Amtrak to provide accommodations for unboxed bicycles on The Crescent (the Amtrak train running from New Orleans to Washington, DC).
Attention: Mr. Trahan Amtrak Washington, DC
Dear Mr. Trahan:
I have been asked to contact you regarding accommodations for assembled bicycles on Amtrak trains. As you can guess from our name, we are all for that convenience. Cycling provides super exercise, fun, and relaxation for just about everyone; young, old, or handicapped physically, financially, or otherwise.
Our board members have traveled from Birmingham to New Orleans with boxed bicycles. Once we reached New Orleans, we needed a vehicle to pick us up and transport us, then reassemble our bikes and store the boxes for our return trip. Otherwise, our entire local transportation was by bicycle. Imagine how happy we would have been to 'just ride away' from the station instead. We think the capacity to routine accommodate bicycles is beneficial and practical.
We understand that Amtrak is rethinking its accommodations for bicycles around the nation. We think the Crescent route would benefit from allowing assembled bicycles on board. We think this because there are a number of linear recreational trails, there are two cross country road routes, there are more than 25 century events, thousands of recreational riders, hundreds of touring cyclists, and the numbers of all that are growing each year.
You already know about the Silver Comet, Chief Ladiga, Longleaf, and the Tammany Trace linear recreational trails. In addition to that I'd like to bring to your attention, two major national bicycling routes. Adventure Cycling (membership of 42,000) created the Southern Tier (from San Diego to Saint Augustine FL) and Underground Railroad (from Mobile, AL to Owens Sound, Ontario Canada). Both of these routes are near both the Amtrak Crescent and the Sunset routes in several places.
The number of cyclists; mountain, touring, and recreational are growing rapidly each year. We get many inquiries each year regarding routes between major cities in the south. People who are doing some form of the Adventure Cycling cross country routes, people making up routes based upon local bicycling club route advice, and folks that are simply cycling within a comfortable distance for their vacation or weekends. Some folks are doing something we call 'credit card' camping; that is very little gear and using restaurants and commercial lodging for accommodations. Others are towing trailers behind their bicycles. All are on the move around our region and all collect some pretty big smiles by lots of observers.
As you consider the possibilities please be aware that bicycles are evolving in shape, function, and style. There are racing bikes, mountain bikes, tricycles, tandems, tricycle tandems, and recumbents. We should not forget the trailers either. Accommodations for all these types must be considered and addressed one way or another because they will show up at the stations.
I am including some links of interest for you. They are links to both national routes and a link to the Alabama Department of Tourism bicycle event calendar.
Thank you for thinking about these things. We will be happy to help.
Europe has done it for years so why not the USA? In Europe, most trains have a separate car to store one's bicycle. Passengers can sit in or near the car with the bicycles. It's a very simple idea and works great. I have traveled for 5 weeks in Europe, solely by bicycle and train to 5 different counties. Being able to place my bicycle in a bike car and then sit near the bike car allowed me to quickly get from point A to B.
I live in Portland, Oregon and I am an avid bicyclist who likes to travel via my bicycle for vacations. In fact, I take friends along with me on tours, just for the fun of it. No profit is made.
Not being able to take our bicycles on a train, and hang them up in a special car, has presented problems regarding where we can travel without using our automobiles to get there.
Following are 5 fabulous long distance cycling adventures that would be ideal for a Bike Train. All 5 are within a days' train ride by Amtrak from Portland, Oregon (one of America's great cycling cities).
5 Great Cycling Destinations From Portland, OR. By Train:
Cycling Destination: OC&E Woods Line State Trail Trail Type: Rails to Trail Bike Train Route: Portland, OR. to Klamath Falls, OR. Description: Over 91 miles (one way) of multi-use trail to ride/camp/play. Since the trail is an old railway the grade is very gentle (2.1% maximum).
Cycling Destination: Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes Trail Type: Rails to Trail Bike Train Route: Portland, OR. to Spokane, WA. Description: The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes bike path follows the Union Pacific Railroad's right-of-way from Mullan, a mountain mining town near the Montana border, to Plummer, a town on the prairie near the Washington border. About 72 miles of paved path takes you from high mountain splendor, through the historic Silver Valley, into the chain lake region, along the shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene, over a bridge to Heyburn State Park and then on to the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation: an adventure for the entire family! Editors' Note: A truly beautiful trail; see my Coeur d'Alenes Trail photos & lodging suggestions.
Cycling Destination: Glacier National Park Bike Train Route: Portland, OR. to East Glacier Park, MT. Description: From East Glacier park, bicycle north up to Alberta, Canada to connect with Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefields parkway that is a great bicycle route for cyclist. Once in Canada, it is possible to take ViaRail to Vancouver and then Amtrak south to Portland. Editors' Note: Another great route I rode. This is a road route & can have heavy traffic during the summer. It's best ridden during shoulder season.
Cycling Destination: Seattle, WA. Bike Train Route: Portland, OR. to Seattle, WA. Description: From Seattle, there are hundreds of destinations a bicyclist can take for a vacation. Examples include...
- Seattle springs the Ferry to Vancouver Island - Friday Harbor can easily be reached to open up a possibility of travel to the San Juan Islands. - Everett springs the ferry to Alaska Marine Hwy - Mount Vernon and the yearly Tulip Festival - Bellingham springs opportunities to cross into Canada.
As well as special events such as... - Seattle to Portland Bike Ride (STP) - July - Ride Seattle to Vancouver & Party (RSVP) - Sept.
Cycling Destination: Eugene, OR Bike Train Route: Portland, OR. to Eugene, OR Description: From Eugene, cyclists can ride...
- South on Hwy 58 to camping on lakes such as Lookout Lake, Waldo Lake, Odell Lake - East on Hwy 126, a tourist can travel all the way to Florence, on the Oregon Coast. - Other options are numerous for being able to have a Bike Train to Eugene.
"Take the Train and See the USA" is a great concept; think how much better it would be with "See America by Train & Bicycle - Go Amtrak!"
Suggested routes, starting points and cycling destinations in the Northeast by Larry Lagarde
The idea of applying the Canadian bike-train concept to destinations in the USA has touched a collective nerve among cyclists across the country. I've received so many specific comments & suggestions regarding where to run a bike train that it seems foolish to keep them to myself.
To help cyclists that are interested in taking their own bikes on Amtrak to get to cycling destinations, I've decided to publish more of the helpful bike train suggestions I've collected. This post focuses on suggestions along the USA's eastern seaboard from Virginia to Maine.
Massachusetts S. Winslow
- South Station Boston to Providence - where bicyclists could pick up the East Bay Trail. - South Station Boston to Providence / Worcester to Boston: a train trip could be sponsored by the Blackstone National Heritage Corridor - Bicyclists could be drop off in Providence.. ride the Blackstone Heritage Trail, overnighting one day, and then pick up the bike train back in Worcester for the trip to Boston.. - Boston to NYC for the 5 Boro Bike Tour in May - NYC to Boston for the Hub on Wheels ride in September - Boston to Portland ME via the Downeaster..
The MBTA has a bike train that runs from Boston to Gloucester on weekends in the summer that is very successful..
Too bad this could not go to Cape Cod on the weekends.. that would be a huge hit possibly.
My suggestion would be the Amtrak train than runs between Montreal and Boston. Making the trains more bicycle-friendly is a goal we heartily endorse but it's proven to be a tough one. Good luck!
Virginia J. Wampler
10 reasons why Amtrak should consider the Richmond area for bike train service.
1) Virginia is home to more of the United States Numbered Bicycle Route system than any other state. Both USBR 1 and USBR 76 cross the state, and they intersect near Richmond. 2) The Virginia Capital Trail, an off-road route linking Richmond to Williamsburg, is scheduled for completion in 2012. This route, along scenic and historic route 5, links plantations and local parks to Jamestown and the Colonial National Historical Park. 3) Richmond is the state capital, and advocates travel here during the legislative season. 4) The Richmond Fan District is one of the largest intact late-19th- and early-20th-century neighborhoods in the country and encompasses about 85 city blocks west of the Richmond downtown commercial area. The grid-like pattern of this neighborhood is bike/ped-friendly, and the architecture is tremendous! 5) The Richmond Area Bicycling Association (RABA) is an active, well-organized club that offers many excursions in the Richmond area. 6) Richmond is the future home of BikeWalk Virginia. 7) There are 20-plus miles of mountain bike trails along the James River in Richmond. 8) The Richmond area is rich in both Revolutionary and Civil War history. The John Smith Trail describes the interface between the early settlers and Virginia Indians in Richmond four hundred years ago. 9) Destinations around Richmond provide additional bicycling opportunities. Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County has 7000 acres and 50+ miles of trail. Petersburg National Battlefield is a 2,517-acre park that also attracts cyclists. 10) Richmond is centered between the Washington/Baltimore metro area, which has a number of active cyclists, and Hampton Roads, another large metro area with a growing cycling community.
Up to 8 bikes can be rolled onto the Downeaster. Bikes can be loaded and unloaded only at the manned stations (Portland, Wells and Boston). The fee for a bike is $5. Boxed bikes are not allowed as they are considered checked baggage.
DC-NYC Tom M, Cyclist
At one time, Amtrak did offer "roll-on baggage car" service from NYC to Washington DC, and I used that service at least four times a season. Since they discontinued the service, I haven't ridden Amtrak once.
Amtrak does have posted rules that make it APPEAR simple enough to box a bike and put it on the train. However, when I've called, Amtrak staff have been uncertain of the details and worse, only a few trains have baggage cars that would allow boxed bikes. Contrast that with New York's MTA, which allows roll on service and very often during summer weekends will just turn over the last passenger car to the cyclists!
The big tragedy is that both Penn Station in NYC and Union Station in Washington DC are adjacent to beautiful off-street cycling paths. Talk about an intermodal transit dream!
Last year I priced out a charter from Pittsburgh to DC as the start of our 500 person trail ride from DC to Pittsburgh. We never did it the, not that we thought we couldn't raise 70K they required, but it was just so slow - 6 hours when you could drive it in 3. The regular train would be the same time. However, I still think this is a compelling (longest trail in the US) route and endpoints with other stops if riders would like to do shorter mileage.
-New London CT Amtrak Station is but a few steps from the dock of the seasonal ferry to Block Island, a cycling paradise -Newark DE connects with the nice college town of Newark, and trails along the White Clay Creek all the up into Pennsylvania -BWI Airport Station MD connects directly with the BWI Trail and the B&A Trail to Annapolis -- a great day trip, or a weekend trip with an overnight in Annapolis -New Brunswick NJ connects directly with the D&R Canal Trail after a short ride through the attractive Rutgers campus. -Trenton NJ connects with the D&R Canal Trail segment going north to Lambertville and Frenchtown. -Downingtown PA connects with the Struble Trail and Marsh Creek State Park
Philadelphia's 30th Street Station is a major hub for Amtrak. As for "cycling destinations" a few hours from Philadelphia by train, there are many, so it's hard to come up with a concise list." Editor's Note:Given that New Yorkers are moving to Philly and commuting back to NYC via Amtrak, Philly is obviously a short hop by train from many major bike trails along Amtrak's NE corridor.
Feedback from cycling advocates around the country by Larry Lagarde
As a follow up to my story about the Canadian Bike Train, I have been communicating with a variety of cycling advocates across the USA to determine the most feasible possible locations for such a train. Following are some of the comments I have received thus far...
Alaska (Lois N. Epstein, P.E.; Director, Alaska Transportation Priorities Project) "My thought is that tourists would be interested in taking their bikes to Talkeetna, Denali National Park (there's a stop there), and Fairbanks, and Seward to the south, from Anchorage. For all I know, they can already do this on the train."
Note: Per the Alaska Railroad terms and conditions, bikes are allowed on their trains; however, there's a $20 handling fee. Alaska Railroad personnel crate each bike and recommend that panniers be removed.
Since the Alaska Railroad leases the land for the paved, 11 mile long Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (great views of Mt. McKinley & voted best bike trail to see a moose) to Anchorage at below market rates, the railroad appears to be bicycle friendly.
Currently people already take their bikes on Amtrak north and south into and out of San Diego. Although many people ride their bikes in San Diego, they tend to be spread out and don't really have one central bike destination. There is currently an "Amtrak Century" ride once a year that utilizes the Amtrak service between San Diego and Irvine."
Florida (John Harper, Volusia County Leisure Services) "I think this is a great idea. We have an Amtrak here in Deland. Volusia County is currently trying to promote Cycling Tourism to our County and the region. Just last week the State of Florida purchased a rail trail corridor here in our county, the longest in the State of Florida, 52 miles. We currently are actively working on establishing the St. John's to the Sea Loop Ride. It will be a 200 mile loop beginning in DeLand running along the St. John's River north then across to St. Augustine south through Daytona Beach to the Cape Kennedy area and then via the new rail trail back to DeLand."
Illinois (Keith Holt, Chicagoland Bicycle Federation) "Best possible Bike Train locations... Hiawatha--Chicago to Milwaukee
Illinois Service * The Ann Rutledge (daily service between Chicago and Kansas City, MO) * The Illinois Zephyr (daily service between Chicago and Quincy, IL) * Illini Service (daily service between Chicago and Carbondale, IL) * The Saluki (daily service between Chicago and Carbondale, IL) * The Carl Sandburg (daily service between Chicago and Quincy, IL) * The Lincoln Service (daily service between Chicago and St. Louis, MO)"
Michigan (Melissa J. Prowse, Oakland County Parks and Recreation, Waterford, MI) "Chicago has some amazing places to bike, and is quickly becoming one of the most bike-friendly cities in America... I think that it could be great for both Chicago and for Oakland County to promote a bike train service on both ends. We have over 90 miles of trail in Oakland County (where the Wolverine service begins and has 3 stops), so perhaps Chicago residents would like the chance to come to Michigan and spend a few days biking as well...
Please let me know if you do move forward with this concept - I'd be happy to help."
Minnesota (S Gore - Minneapolis) For a bike train out of the twin cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) I would recommend the Empire Builder eastbound out of St. Paul. Riders could debark anywhere between St. Paul and the Wisconsin Dells and have a good bike tour back to St. Paul.
The short route (single day ride) would be back from Red Wing. Two ways back: 1) dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/bike-foot/grrmap.htm in combination with an on road route back to the St. Paul Depot from Prescott 2) Cannon Valley Trail in combination with an on road route back to the St. Paul Depot from Welsh or Cannon Falls.
Longer routes could be assembled from Winona and La Crosse using the Great River map above.
For the more serious distance tourers a route from the Dells to St. Paul. Most of the route would use the Sparta Elroy and Great Rivers trail to La Crosse. From LaCrosse it would rejoin the Great River road route above. Tons of B&B to B&B and camping opportunities along this route.
The train schedule is pretty good for this. The eastbound train departs at 7:50am and arrives in Red Wing at 9:00am. Riders would still have plenty of daylight to make it back to the Twin Cities. It arrives in the Dells at Noon giving riders plenty of time to cover the first 40 miles on road to the 400 trail in Reedsburg.
(Hutman - St Paul suburbs) Amtrak is pretty great IMHO. I biked to LaCrosse last fall and took the train back. We ran into some other bikers who had boxed their bikes and took the train to Portage. Then Amtrak shipped their boxes to meet them in LaCrosse for nothing - great service. My friend left his helmet on the platform in LaCrosse and they remembered him, sent the helmet to St. Paul and called him up to get it.
Missouri (Todd Antoine, Deputy Director for Planning, Great Rivers Greenway District) "Amtrak does allow a limited number of unboxed bicycles on trains between St. Louis and Kansas City for a service fee (see... mostateparks.com/katytrail/services.htm). The train stops at several cities in close proximity to the Katy Trail.
In Illinois, the Chicago-bound train stops in Alton, Illinois on its way to Chicago which is close to the Mississippi River Trail along with the extensive Madison County Trail network."
A lot of people commute to Chicago via amtrak and I know quite a few that ride their bikes to the station and then have the hassle of keeping a bike in Chicago. Taking a bike on the train would solve that issue. Then I also know a handful of people that go to the Twin Cities from Milwaukee fairly often and they always go through the trouble of boxing the bike up and putting it in storage. I'll throw the idea around in Madison, but I imagine there would be people accepting the idea of riding their bikes to Columbus and taking the Amtrak from there."
Vermont (Nancy Schulz, Executive Director, Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition) "My suggestion would be the Amtrak train than runs between Montreal and Boston. Making the trains more bicycle-friendly is a goal we heartily endorse but it's proven to be a tough one. Good luck!"
Service Allows Cyclists To Embrace Passenger Rail by Larry Lagarde
Last summer, a young and energetic cyclist named Justin Lafontaine launched the Bike Train, a service that included the transportation of unboxed, fully assembled bicycles between Toronto and Niagara Falls on Canada's national passenger rail carrier (ViaRail). A pilot project that ran for just 4 weekends, the service was so popular that ViaRail plans to expand it to new destinations and over a longer season.
Bike Train Details Essentially, the Bike Train piggybacked a baggage car containing racks for up to 56 bikes onto regularly scheduled ViaRail trains. For the low fee of $59 including taxes and bike rack reservation, cyclists received a round-trip ticket for the 2 hour journey between Toronto & Niagara. Over the 4 weekends that the pilot program took place, 300 cyclists participated. Many came from beyond Toronto to participate.
An Amtrak Bike Train Although Amtrak currently offers checked baggage service that includes carrying bicycles, cyclists in the USA could also benefit from a Bike Train service. Amtrak serves over 900 communities but checked baggage service is not available everywhere. If Amtrak offered a Bike Train to destinations like Hattiesburg, MS or Anniston, AL, cyclists could take their bikes by train to popular, paved long distance bike trails such as the Longleaf Trace, Chief Ladiga and Silver Comet, boosting rail ridership while spurring tourism.
Given Amtrak's stated goal of increasing regional trains in corridors throughout the USA, an innovative program such as Bike Trainservice to select cycling destinations would be a smart move. Besides elevating the profile of passenger-train service among cyclists & rail to trail advocates, Amtrak would boost bicycle eco tourism initiatives, Amtrak ticket sales and regional partnerships with local governmental & tourism agencies all at the same time.
