URGE METRO TO ALLOW BIKES ON TRAINS

From Peter Wang
(Wang is a League of American Bicyclists cycling instructor, serves on the BikeHouston Advisory Board, and is a Citizens Transportation Coalition Member)

Electrified rail and bicycles are the two most efficient and least-polluting modes of transportation. Combining the two is essential to induce Houstonians to reduce private vehicle usage. As of now, regular bicycles (but not folding bicycles) are banned from Houston’s light rail trains during rush hour. Furthermore, at other times, only two bikes are allowed per train car.

These timing and capacity limitations exist because METRO chose not to install vertical bike hangers on its first fleet of light rail cars. It is vitally important to correct this before the next fleet is built during 2008- 2012.

Given the sprawling and sweltering nature of Houston, it is imperative to make the rail accessible to people living within a 1-5 mile radius by providing bike hangers.

It is extremely important that citizens make their preferences known to METRO. I am urging all cyclists, transit fans, and environmentalists to write to Mr. Frank Wilson, the CEO of METRO, to let him know that:

• The new fleet of light rail cars needs vertical bike hangers, to hold as many as eight bikes per rail car
• The rush-hour bike prohibition needs to be lifted for suitably equipped train cars
• Ample safe and secure bike parking needs to be provided at all transit stops
• The current folding-bikes policy (unlimited times, unlimited numbers, must be covered) needs to be maintained

Please write a polite letter to Mr. Wilson in your own words and send it to him at 1900 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

For more information, see my blog.

Editor’s Note – this represents the view of this writer/group, not the CEC or any other member group.