Prototype Bicycle Hooks Being Tested on Metro-North M-7 Train Cars Feedback Sought From Cyclists

MTA Metro-North Railroad in conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Transportation has installed prototype bicycle mounting devices on a pair of M-7 train cars as part of the railroad's ongoing efforts to review and improve bicycle transportation on the railroad.

The railroad is seeking feedback from the cycling community on the hooks – their ease of use, placement, etc. Metro-North has established an e-mail address to which people can send comments about the bike mount: surveys@mnr.org. The intent is to increase safety, convenience and sustainable mobility for all customers.

"Metro-North has always been bicycle-friendly, with certain weekend trains designated to serve popular cycling destinations and in supporting numerous bike rallies and special events by providing extra, bicycle-only cars," said Metro-North President Howard Permut. "This pilot is a natural extension or our effort to promote sustainable mobility within our region."

If the pilot is successful, Metro-North will determine next steps on the M-8s with ConnDOT and on the M-7s with Long Island Rail Road, which has a large fleet of M-7s.

On January 6, the railroad's Bike Policy Committee invited members of bicycle organizations from both New York and Connecticut to visit these cars for the first time at Grand Central.

The hooks are located in the area designated for wheelchairs, which will continue to have first priority in this space. Prominent signs will specify that cyclists must remove bicycles if the area is needed for a customer in a wheelchair. Feedback on the proposal also is being sought from wheel chair users.

Metro-North is an advocate for transportation that's safe, efficient, adaptable, and as pollution-free as possible. It's no surprise that bicyclists and Metro-North have always had a close and supportive relationship.

More than 60 of our train stations have accommodations for people who bicycle to our stations with bicycle racks or lockers. Signs especially aimed for bicyclists - in terms of where and how best to board trains - are installed at stations that have proven very popular with cyclists.

The railroad recently amended its bicycle policy to allow cyclists to bring folding bikes aboard all trains, including peak trains, without a permit, because when folded, they are treated as regular luggage.

Metro-North also relaxes bicycle permit rules to accommodate more than 10 bike events throughout New York City, Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties, such as the Five-Boro Bike Tour, The New York Century Bike Tour, Tour de Bronx, Tour de Putnam and the Bloomin' Metric Bicycle Tour.

Metro-North continues to work with bicycle clubs and touring groups to create special brochures to inform and encourage cyclists to use our trains, and have run extra trains as well adding extra train cars to serve our cycling friends for special tours and races.

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