SamTrans and Caltrain Encourage Cycling on Bike to Work Day

 

This Thursday, May 9, Bay Area bicyclists will participate by the thousands in the 25th Annual Bike to Work Day, an annual event that encourages commuters to choose bicycles over cars for their daily commute.

SamTrans buses can carry two bikes on racks at the front of each bus, and two additional bikes are allowed inside the bus, depending on passenger loads. Some things to know: only single-rider, two-wheel bicycles are permitted. There is no age limit for riders using the bike racks or bringing bikes on board the bus. However, riders must be able to load and unload their bikes without help from the operator.

On Caltrain, every train is equipped with at least two bike cars. Due to the popularity of the onboard bike program, capacity for bicyclists can be a challenge. Cyclists are encouraged to choose local trains with lighter ridership to ensure they are able to board if they want to test out biking to work for the first time.  Some express and limited stop trains are already operating at or near capacity for onboard bikes.

Each weekday, approximately 6,000 bicyclists take a bike on the train, more than any other rail service in the country.  While biking and taking public transit can work well together for first- and last-mile connections, as well as getting people out of their cars and off freeways, onboard capacity may be at its limit on Bike to Work Day. There are other great Bike to Work Day options that will help new cyclists try out biking without the stress of finding space onboard. 

  • Bike Share - Bikes can be rented at kiosks located at the San Francisco, 22nd Street, Bayshore, San Jose Diridon and Tamien Caltrain Stations.
  • Bike parking – With limited onboard bike space, customers with bikes are encouraged to park them at Caltrain stations, when feasible. Bike racks, lockers and shared-access parking facilities are available at most Caltrain stations for customers who bike to and/or from the station.
  • Folding bikes – These types of bikes can be stored as luggage and save space onboard because they do not have to be parked inside the bike car.

On Bike to Work Day, energizer stations will be set up along local bicycle commuting routes to provide free beverages, snacks and good cheer to encourage cyclists on Bike to Work Day.  

This year, 12 energizer stations will be located at the following Caltrain stations:

  • San Francisco station @ Fourth and King streets – 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. & 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • San Bruno station – 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Millbrae station – 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Burlingame station – 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • San Mateo station – 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  • Belmont station – 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Redwood City station – 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  • Menlo Park station – 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • California Avenue station – 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  • Mountain View station – 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Santa Clara station – 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  • San Jose Diridon station – 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

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About Caltrain: Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides commuter rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with limited commute service to Gilroy. While the Joint Powers Board assumed operating responsibilities for the service in 1992, the railroad celebrated 150 years of continuous passenger service in 2014. Planning for the next 150 years of Peninsula rail service, Caltrain is on pace to electrify the corridor, reduce diesel emissions by 97 percent by 2040 and add more service to more stations.

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