Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Streetsblog SF

Pick a Bike Rack for Caltrain’s Electric Trains

The ‘hybrid option” could include one row of these angled bike racks that allow cyclists to remove and load bikes without leaning bikes on top of one another. All photos Streetsblog/Rudick unless otherwise indicated

Caltrain is displaying three different bike racks today until 7 p.m and tomorrow from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 4th and King. They're asking riders to check them out and vote on what kind of bike rack storage they want on the railroad's new electric trains, coming some time in 2019. The options are to either keep bike cars more or less as they are now, where cyclists stack their bikes up along a rail, or adding some bike racks - either with angled parking or suspended from hooks.

Elizabeth Amezcua, who was there for Caltrain, said most interest so far seemed to be in a hybrid solution, where some of the bikes would continue to be stacked against a railing and some would go into the more advanced bike holding systems as seen in the photos above and below:

Many Caltrain customers were concerned that people wouldn't have the strength to lift bikes into this vertical hanger, even though it was the most space efficient
Many Caltrain customers were concerned that people wouldn't have the strength to lift bikes into this vertical hanger, even though it would be space efficient
false

She added that the traditional against-the-railing storage was generally more popular with people traveling long distances. "Like from San Jose to San Francisco," she explained.

She also said there would be two bike cars on each six-car consist, with bike space in the lower level and seating on the top level and at the ends. The result will be between 68 and 72 bikes per train, or (claims Caltrain) about an 8 to 12 percent increase over bike space for current trains, according to the website. To put that in historical perspective, a few years ago, some Caltrain consists carried only 16 bikes. UPDATE: Since current Caltrain consists can carry up to 80 bikes, it's not clear how they are claiming an increase in bike capacity. Streetsblog is looking into this and will update accordingly.

Aleta Dupree, a Caltrain customer who was passing through, said she was most impressed with option three, the arrangement in the lead photo. "Bike storage is very important because bikes are an important part of a 'transit first' policy," she said.

Amezcua sitting between the bike displays during a slow period at King Street Station.
Amezcua sitting between the bike displays during a slow period at King Street Station.
false

Steve Ulrich, a Caltrain conductor, said he has concerns about the vertical storage solution. He finds that people already have trouble lifting their bikes up the stairs on the existing trains and vertical hangers could cause delays. "We're not supposed to help people but we do...and it delays trains," he explained.

Caltrain conductor Steve Ulrich wants a solution that's easy for passengers to load into and out of
Caltrain conductor Steve Ulrich wants a solution that's easy for passengers to load into and out of
false

Amezcua said there were about 30 people who stopped by to try out the racks and vote during morning rush, but that she expected more during the evening rush, when people aren't all scrambling to get to work.

Caltrain's displays will be up tomorrow/Thursday as well, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 pm., with future opportunities to see them and try them out as follows:

    • August 14 – Try out the bike rack samples and vote! 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.Redwood City Station
    • August 15 – Try out the bike rack samples and vote! 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.Palo Alto Station
    • August 18 – Try out the bike rack samples and vote! 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.Menlo Park Block Party, Santa Cruz Avenue

You can comment and vote at the displays, or, of course, make your thoughts known online on the CalModTrains website.

And be sure to let us know which bike rack design you prefer. Comment below.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Covina to Begin Construction on Recreation Village

The new facility will be next to the Metrolink station and include a variety of opportunities for fitness and amusement

July 26, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: Have Cities Run Out of Land?

Chris Redfearn of USC and Anthony Orlando of Cal Poly Pomona on why "pro-business" Texas housing markets are catching up to "pro-regulation" California and what it might mean for future city growth.

July 26, 2024

Friday’s Headlines

Oakland identifies sites for speed camera pilot; E-bike tariffs conflict with US climate policy; Pollution spikes around warehouses, shipping hubs; More

July 26, 2024

What the Heck is Going on with the State E-bike Incentive Program?

The program's launch has been delayed for two years, and currently "there is no specific timeline" for it. Plus the administrator, Pedal Ahead, is getting dragged, but details are vague

July 26, 2024

The Paris Plan for Olympic Traffic? Build More Bike Lanes

A push to make Paris fully bikable for the Olympics is already paying dividends long before the opening ceremonies.

July 25, 2024
See all posts