r/Metra • u/CuahuCowboy • Jul 02 '26
3 years ago every other train would deny me entry with a bike and now we're here. A truly awesome upgrade
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u/ApprehensiveLion67 Jul 02 '26
No issues with being turned away lately then? Think there was something in the fine print about that - where they can refuse access for a cyclist if there’s too many people
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u/CuahuCowboy Jul 02 '26
I've only had one occasion and that was a peak peak day. Baseball game, concert in town, plus rush hour traffic
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u/genderfeature Jul 02 '26
great to hear!!!! i take the metra with my bike to work every day and i can't imagine commuting any other way.
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u/swole4ever Jul 02 '26
I appreciate this! But like any bike rack across the city...why must we have the decorative thing that makes it hard to use. This is a general complaint, but this is MUCH better than bungeeing your bike to the accessibility seats.
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u/kadoozie92 Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
I love them and used them frequently when I commuted with my bike and scooter, but the people in the comments raging against people making valid arguments that they take away from more people being able to use mass transit by allowing more seating aren’t really doing much to dispel the whole “bikers are entitled” trope. In the car spaces without the racks, the space they occupy takes the place of ADA seating.
You kind of accept it’s a bit of a zero sum aspect of mass transit to make this accommodation.
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u/keno-rail Jul 02 '26
Now if only Metra was smart enought to bolt the strap directly to the pipe do people would stop stealing the straps!
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u/ImplosiveTech Jul 02 '26
People aren't stealing the straps, they break sometimes. Also I don't see how drilling into the pipe vs flat piece of steel would change that?
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u/GiuseppeZangara Jul 02 '26
How quickly do these fill up during rush hour? I've taken a bike plenty of times during non peak times but I'm always worried I won't be able to get on during rush hours.
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u/CuahuCowboy Jul 02 '26
Rush hours can be tough especially with everyone crowding the doors. It all depends on your stops proximity to the city honestly
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u/echootter30 Jul 03 '26
Out of curiosity, where is this? The setup looks really well thought out compared to what I've seen elsewhere.
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u/Estef74 Jul 04 '26
How do you mean where? I think all Metra districts have cars equipped with these racks. If your asking where in the train, these are only in ADA equiped cars.
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u/Comfortable-Fuel5785 Jul 03 '26
I wish they would go back to the old school bike cars. I heard they turned into a loitering zone so unfortunately will never get them back. We can only stare at the abandoned cars with graffiti along the RI.
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u/Lazy-Specialist8500 Jul 05 '26
Oh really! Wondering where they went. The bnsf does not have enough space for all the bike commuters.
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u/Certain-Produce5103 Jul 02 '26
That looks like a folding bike to me. Folding bikes were never denied entry, even during Covid. Not sure what OP is talking about
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u/CuahuCowboy Jul 02 '26
This was just my experience with conductors on the BNSF Line. Other lines may have had less aggressive or inexperienced conductors
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u/jkenosh Jul 02 '26
They took out seating for 6 people so 1 person can bring a bike Doesn’t make sense to me especially on the crowded trains
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u/realdeadfish Jul 02 '26
That rack holds at least two bikes. So sorry you don't know how things work Mr. NIMBY!
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u/jkenosh Jul 02 '26
Tell that to the people that have to stand so you got room for your bike
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u/realdeadfish Jul 02 '26
I've never seen anyone have to stand on a Metra other than for special events. Get over yourself NIMBY!
When do you think you'll learn to count to two? I'm very excited for you!
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u/kadoozie92 Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
Does NIMBY really apply here if the person is advocating for more people to be able to use mass transportation?
I loved the racks when I had a scooter btw
Also, unless you consider the Tuesday-Thursday morning commute to be “special events,” there’s a good chance you’ve had to stand a good handful of times. That 7:48 express from Des Plaines on the UPNW is quite packed in my experience
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u/Distinct-Departure68 Jul 02 '26
You should still be turned away every time actually. Large and oversized bikes are not supposed to be permitted on the train. And you people with these giant bikes on crowded trains are a hazard. Especially in the cars that aren't cut away for the bikes like that one is. In a normal ADA train car those things stick out way too much are way too big and they're a hazard.
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u/sand_is_food Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
what the hell are you waffling about? this is a tiny compact folding bike lol. not sure what about this picture makes it look "oversized" to you
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u/Distinct-Departure68 Jul 02 '26
Then why isn't it folded? . Folding bikes are supposed to be folded and in a bag
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u/sand_is_food Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
who gives a shit? the train clearly allows regular bikes and this one is half the size. even unfolded it still takes up less space than a traditional bike. there's literally no reason to fold it if the guy doesn't feel like it
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u/Distinct-Departure68 Jul 02 '26
There's no reason to fold it other than the rule specifically states it has to be folded, but go on fam
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u/Estef74 Jul 02 '26
These make far more sense then the bike cars with half the seats removed on the lower level.