6/13/03
The CTA participated in Mayor Richard M. Daley's Bike to Work Day Rally today as part of the three-month long ?Bike Chicago? event, at Daley Plaza. In addition to displaying a CTA bus with a bike rack along with other promotional materials, the CTA won an award from the Mayor's Bike Advisory Committee for being the most bike-friendly governmental agency in the city.
Through its Bike & Ride Program, the CTA has made it more convenient for customers to bring their bicycles on both buses and trains. This summer CTA buses are being equipped with bike racks; therefore making Chicago, behind Los Angeles, home to the nation's second largest bike accessible bus fleet. The bike racks carry two bicycles each, are mounted on the front of the bus and take as little as 30 seconds to load. Customers may use the racks any time during service hours.
"Combining bicycling with public transit is an environmentally friendly way for customers to get around the city and the 40 suburbs served by the CTA," said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Valerie B. Jarrett. ?Through the Bike & Ride program, we are not only supporting Mayor Daley's desire to make Chicago the most bicycle-friendly city in the country but we are providing a cost-effective, convenient way for bicycle enthusiasts to use our bus and rail system to enjoy all that the Chicago area has to offer."
CTA allows two bicycles on each rail car at all times except two hours during weekday morning and evening rush periods (from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and during special events such as July 3rd when passenger loads are very heavy. Bikes are allowed on rail cars during all hours on weekends.
For those who want to pedal to a rail station and complete their commute by rail, bicycle parking is available at 93 rail stations, including 23 stations with indoor racks for enhanced security.
CTA President Frank Kruesi added, ?The program offers a flexible, convenient alternative for cyclists when faced with adverse weather conditions and traffic congestion; and for those who wish to divide their commute between cycling and public transportation. It provides more options, which further reduce the need for cars in congested areas."
Participants in the Bike & Ride program pay the regular fare of $1.50 to boardbuses and trains. There is no extra fee to transport bicycles. Program guidelines prohibit children under the age of 12 from boarding buses and trains with bicycles, and an adult must accompany cyclists ages 12 to 17.
The CTA Bike & Ride program is a collaborative effort between the CTA, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation (CBF), the Chicago Department of Transportation Bicycle Program, and the CTA's Americans with Disabilities Act Advisory Committee.
For more information on the CTA's Bike & Ride program or to request a free Bike & Ride brochure, contact the CTA's Customer Assistance hotline at 1-888-YOUR-CTA, or visit the CTA's web site at www.transitchicago.com.
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