“The Bike Cars we introduced late last year have been well-received by the cycling community, encouraging us to move forward and expand the amenity to other lines,” said Metra CEO Jim Derwinski in a statement. “The expanded availability of Bike Cars will make the region more accessible and encourage cyclists to explore the trails and communities along our rail lines. And, of course, this effort also highlights how Metra and cycling go together as green transportation options that reduce our carbon footprint and aid the environment.”
The full schedules showing Bike Car trains can be viewed here: Rock Island and BNSF. A bike symbol on the schedules designates the trains with Bike Cars. Metra will also post alerts to these websites if a snafu takes the out of service.
The RID Line will have a Bike Car on weekend inbound trains 202, 306, 110, 114, 118, 318, 322, 126, and 326. Outbound weekend trains 205, 109, 113, 315, 319, 119, 323, 327, and 127 will also offer a Bike Car.
The Bike Cars will also be available on the Rock Island Line on weekdays on inbound trains 404, 306, 412, 616, 420, 424, and 500. Outbound weekday trains 503, 607, 409, 413, 417, 419, and 507 will also be equipped with a Bike Car.
One Bike Car will also be available on the BNSF Line. On weekends, the car will be on inbound trains 2002 and 2012 on outbound trains 2003 and 2009. On weekdays, the car will be available on inbound trains 1302, 1308 and 1320 and on outbound trains 1313 and 1293.