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SFE\Bike backers knock Caltrain plans
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Jym Dyer
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Feb 05, 2009 09:42 PST
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http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Bike-backers-knock-Caltrain-plans39125062.html
Bike backers knock Caltrain plans
By Will Reisman
Examiner Staff Writer
05-Feb-2009 | San Francisco Examiner
Caltrain officials are scheduled to release an update to
their plans to add more bicycle capacity on trains, but local
advocates are concerned that the upgrades will not fully address
the growing demands of commuting cyclists.
Caltrain won't unveil the plan until today's regularly scheduled
board of directors meeting because officials were still working
on fine-tuning the details, spokeswoman Christine Dunn said
Wednesday.
Despite the lack of public information, Andy Thornley of the
Sna Francisco Bike Coalition said there are indications that the
transit agency is considering designating a single Gallery car
for bike use on its standard service lines, and, on the smaller
Baby Bullet trains, clearing out all seats on the lower level to
make room for bikes.
The options are troublesome, Thornley said.
"We're quite concerned there could be a stand-or-steal scenario
on the Baby Bullet trains," Thornley said.
"It wouldn't be a big deal during rush hour, when there are a
lot of eyes around, but at 9 p.m., people who can't see their
bikes will be concerned that they're going to be gone when
they get off the train," he said. "Thus, you could see a lot
of people standing next to their bikes to make sure they don't
get stolen, which just adds to the congestion on the trains."
On trains using the Gallery cars, Thornley said that Caltrain
should investigate putting bikes on at least two of the cars
instead of limiting their presence to a single area.
Depending on the model of the cars that make up a given train,
Caltrain can accommodate 16, 32 or 64 bicycles, a capacity that
is unpredictable and results in bike-riding commuters being
turned away at the station, Thornley said.
Thornley also said it was vexing that details of the
bike-increase proposal -- which is a potential action item
that could be voted on -- were not publicly available before
today's meeting.
In October, Caltrain Executive Director Michael Scanlon said
that the district could remove seats on trains to make room for
the growing number of bicyclists in the area.
In a letter written to the district, the Silicon Valley Bike
Association underscored the need for more bicycle capacity,
saying that "previous investments in bike infrastructure have
brought about a quick return on investment. Improving the
program can help Caltrain be a leader in sustainability."
Dunn said that Caltrain understands cyclists' frustrations with
the limited space, but that they have to consider the need for
all of the system's passengers.
"We have to balance the needs of our passengers that are bike
riders with the needs of those that are not," Dunn said.
At the start of the year, Caltrain raised fares by 25 cents, an
increase that is expected to generate nearly $1 million in extra
revenue this year.
= Tracks and wheels =
Bicycle capacity on Caltrain:
16 Bombardier car (used on Baby Bullet trains)
32 Gallery car (older model)
64 Maximum bicycles on a train (two Galley cars designated
for bikes on a train)
Source: Caltrain
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