(Editor's Note: Sorry to run this disappointing news announced by Metrolink, when we're otherwise really excited about CicLAvia this Sunday. Don't forget, though, bicycles are not required equipment. There are lots of great CicLAvia attractions located within easy walking distance from Union Station! Including a pedestrian zone in the Broadway Historic Theater area. Also, don't forget that there are plenty of Metro rail and bus connections to the route - see this article at The Source for details. What's the solution, readers? Should cyclists press Metrolink for better service? Should Metro press Metrolink? Can we get bike share? Host more CicLAvias? Should far-flung CicLAvia participants just drive? Let us know in the comments below.)
Anyone who thought they will be able to take their bicycle to CicLAvia with them on Metrolink’s trains this upcoming Sunday will likely be in for an unwelcome surprise.
Metrolink has decided that they will no longer be adding bicycle cars to their trains, nor will they be adding any extra trains to their pared-down Sunday schedules despite the common knowledge that CicLAvia is a very popular event, with lots of cyclists riding Metrolink trains to attend:
CicLAvia reminder: we will not be including additional bike cars for the event on 10/5. Please be aware that bike capacity will be limited.
— Metrolink (@Metrolink) October 2, 2014
The reason given is that it takes 6 weeks for trains to be reconfigured to remove the bike cars and return the sets (or “consists” in American Railroad-ese) to their normal state:
@tosefjaylor bc we inconvenience our daily bike commuters. Due to our equipment cycles, our bike cars are out of rotation for ~6weeks. ^YJ
— Metrolink (@Metrolink) September 30, 2014
This will especially effect those who ride Metrolink in Los Angeles County, despite the fact that it is Los Angeles Metro that subsidizes over half of Metrolink’s operations.
In contrast, Metrolink does have funds to operate extra Angels Express trains to the upcoming games at Anaheim Stadium, despite the fact that the tickets for these games are 4 times as expensive than those for regular season games, with prices running over $50 each at last check.
Angels stadium capacity: 45,000.
CicLAvia reported attendance: 100,000.
CicLAvia remains free, but donations are assuredly always welcome.
My worthless and unguaranteed advice to you is put your bike in a car and drive away from Los Angeles to at least Fontana on the San Bernardino Line, Irvine on the Orange County Line and Santa Clarita on the Antelope Valley line in order to ensure bike car capacity when your train arrives. No promises though.
