If you're thinking about taking a longer trip and you're not sure if you want to ride the whole way, consider taking your bike on the subway for part of the trip. This is a handy trick, especially when it's raining or if you get a flat out on the periphery of the concrete jungle.
Fortunately, the MTA allows bicycles on subways at all times. (They discourage bikes on subway cars during the morning and afternoon peak periods, which is understandable.)
And if you feel like getting out of the City, you can take your bike on the Metro-North Railroad, New Jersey Transit, and Long Island Rail Road trains. The MTA+Bike site has details for Metro-North and LIRR trains. And NJ Transit has details on their site.
Wed, 09/17/2008 - 13:15
In San Francisco, some subway stations have a small and flat rail that runs parallel to stairs against the wall so that bikes can be rolled up with ease. I'm wondering if there's been any effort to get similar rails or strips put in in some of the subway stops that have heavy bike usage in NYC. It'd make it so much easier to tote one's bike in and out of the subway.
Tue, 08/26/2008 - 13:24
When will Amtrak wake up and allow bikes so we can get out and ride in places like the Catskills without using a car?
Sat, 07/12/2008 - 18:51
Dear fellow bicyclists,
I commute to Long Island daily using precisely that combination: train/bike. Well, LIRR tolerates us, bicyclists, most of the time, but does not encourage us at all. It suffice to check LIRR Bicycle Permit Regulations at http://www.mta.info/lirr/pubs/bikerulelirr.htm
Typical bike weights 25 - 30 pounds or less and takes very little space, but it is allowed off peek time only. Personally, I can evade this rule by folding my Brompton and putting it in the bag, but not everyone has a folding bike. At the same time, no restrictions exist and no special permit required for passengers with huge luggage. I routinely see people caring 100 pounds plus suitcases.
VM