5/17/04
To kick off the summer cycling season, the CTA has issued a ?Bikes Ride Free on CTA!? commemorative farecard. Starting May 17, the farecard will be available for a limited time in most farecard machines at CTA rail stations. The farecard design features CTA bus and rail customers taking their bikes on the transit system.
Through its Bike & Ride program, the CTA has made it easy for customers to bring their bicycles on both buses and trains. The majority of CTA buses (95 percent) are equipped with bike racks mounted on the front of the bus that carry two bicycles each and take as little as 30 seconds to load. Customers may use the racks any time during service hours.
The 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 racks are available at many rail stations, including 39 stations with indoor racks for enhanced security.
The CTA's Bike & Ride program offers a flexible, convenient alternative for cyclists when faced with adverse weather conditions and traffic congestion, and for CTA customers who want to divide their commutes between cycling and public transportation.
Participants in the Bike & Ride program pay the regular fare of $1.75 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, the Chicago Department of Transportation Bicycle Program and the CTA's American with Disabilities Act Advisory Committee. For more information on the CTA's Bike & Ride program, or to request a free Bike & Ride brochure, contact CTA Customer Service at 1-888-YOURCTA or visit www.transitchicago.com.
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