One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Metro Proposes Canning Rush-Hour Bike-on-Rail Ban, Limiting Bikes Per Railcar
Photo by Fred Camino via Flickr
At yesterday’s Metro meeting, officials said they may do with the current rush-hour bike-on-rail ban to accommodate the system’s growing cyclist ridership, but they’re also considering implementing a two-bike-per-car rule. During their 6 p.m. meeting, which was considerably quieter than their earlier one at noon, officials said they also want to improve signage that directs cyclists and clearly state the rules (no blocking doors or walkways).
In the agency’s proposal, presented by Metro Administration and Financial Services Manager and fellow cyclist Hector Rodriguez, the expected cost to “develop additional signage to direct bicycles to designated locations” will be about $25,000, and it will also run the agency $20,000 per rail vehicle to put up heavy-duty colored wall coverings and decals (similar to the ones they currently have posted on railcars) that outline bike and safety rules.
They’re also proposing to paint lines indicating where bikes are allowed, along with 18” high poles at platforms so riders know exactly where to board the cars.
The current Metro policy bans bikes from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and also does not allow bicycles on lines running between Wilshire/Vermont and Union Station, but in their proposal yesterday, Metro says even they are no longer able to keep track of who’s following the rules because of the rail system’s growth.
One cyclist who attended the evening meeting said “convenience is a big factor” in whether or not he’ll use the rail service.
Metro officials said they are encouraging cyclists to attend their July 16 meeting next week, when the discussion on their bike-on-rail policy continues.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
