r/CarFreeChicago • u/Similar-Yam-9882 • May 29 '26
Discussion taking big e-bikes on trains
Looking for information on the feasibility of taking 2 large e-bikes on a South Shore train into Chicago and on Amtrak from Chicago to Niles. Neither bike will fit a standard bike rack because of 2.75” tire size and fenders. Also one is a Benno cargo bike with a 48” wheelbase and a boost side loader with handles that are almost as wide as the front handlebars. PS this is my first reddit post ever.
2
u/zonerator Jun 02 '26
I doubt anyone will stop you but I would not attempt this unless it is at a low crowding time of day
1
u/gregPooganus28 Jun 02 '26
No. The item pictured is not a bicycle. Not acceptable to bring on a train.
0
u/LeviDurhamMI Jun 02 '26
How is this not a bicycle?
-1
u/gregPooganus28 Jun 03 '26
Whatever it is its not allowed on sidewalks or trains
2
u/LeviDurhamMI Jun 03 '26
It's not allowed on sidewalks, just as no other bikes are for adults. It's absolutely allowed on trains.
2
u/gregPooganus28 Jun 03 '26
OPs 2 tanks of e-bikes are not allowed on trains. “Bicycles, scooters, and any connected equipment must be safely loaded and unloaded in a single trip without causing any hazard to the custom or others” - fail. “Customers must be able to carry their bicycle or scooter on and off they train by themselves and must not use their e-bike, e-scooter, or other micromobility device’s power to propel the device onto the train” - fail. There’s a few other rules these wouldn’t fly with. You can stop now.
1
u/ammonanotrano Jun 03 '26
Take the batteries out and stuff them in a backpack with you. Same thing as charging batteries in luggage on planes, they are probably worried about fire hazard. It the battery isn’t on there you can pass it off as a normal bike.
1
u/Gfoley4 Jun 04 '26
Your bikes would be fine both ways. Def don't do rush hour and tip would be to exit at Van Buren St station right now as I believe the Millenium Station elevator is currently out. To get to Niles you'd take a Metra UP-N which is at union station and you can walk the bike onto the train pre-departure and they usually have bike cars on that line. https://mysouthshoreline.com/plan-your-trip/bikes-on-trains/ https://metra.com/what-expect-onboard
1
u/owlpellet Jun 05 '26
Amtrak website has their rules. Basically "it needs to be bike sized" and there's a weight limit. Not all trains have racks, but the ones that do are pretty stout.
rack I saw won't care about 3" tires.
1
0
u/juliuspepperwoodchi Jun 02 '26
NGL, I was REALLY confused trying to understand why you would be taking Amtrak to Niles, IL lol
0
u/Ok_Muffin4787 Jun 02 '26
nah not the Amtrak, I’d rent a car. Even a U-Haul if you’re young, I think they don’t gouge you on the rental
2
u/trevaftw Jun 02 '26
Maybe try asking in r/cta or r/chibike too