I would love nothing better than the occasional opportunity to take a bicycle down to D.C. by MARC. That, however, harshly conflicts with the vast majority of the ridership.

Possible alternatives: available only on non-rush-hour trains, and/or with a surcharge?

How do you propose riders get those second bikes to their arrival station?

This is a bad, bad, BAD idea. Especially on the Penn Line where most trains are at capacity or standing room only. There isn't really room for people who bring large pieces of luggage on board, much less bicycles. I can't see any place where bikes could be placed and not block the aisles or egress, especially in an emergency.

I have seen people bring the folding bicycles aboard - these will usually fit the cubbies near the vestibules, or otherwise stay out of the way.

Better bike parking at Penn Station might have some more folks sold on your idea.

Every other major commuter railway allows bikes. MARC has no excuse. They should allow 2 bikes per car until they can manage to come up with bike cars.

Why on Earth should anyone be forced to buy a second bike???

MARC is hardly alone in allowing passengers to bring bikes aboard, but they must be the folding/collapsable kind. More closely suited to the MARC example, Amtrak also allows passengers to brng their bikes aboard. There are places on these trains, usually close to the vestibules, where folks can safely store them in an manner that does not also obstuct passengers and conductors.

Not in the regular passenger compartments like the photo you selected but provision for bicycles could be made if is desired. This is not a new concept.

Boston: http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/bikes/

San Fran: http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/008859.html

Seattle: http://www.soundtransit.org/x117.xml

(there are more)

A big part of the allure of bike-commuting is disposing of your car, especially if you live in the city. A lot of young people choose to live a nicer neighborhood or closer in at the expense of not maintaining a car. It's not practical to purchase a bike for every place you plan to go. Also, for cyclists public transportation is often the back-up mode of transportation as opposed to the planned transportation, in case of bad weather, flats/mechanical problems, etc.. I, personally, rarely use the train/bus but wouldn't commute by bike if I didn't know it was there as a secondary mode of transport. The MAX, here in Portland (Oregon), has hooks on the ends of most cars for hanging bikes, which works well and doesn't take up much space. 15 years ago when the trains first allowed bikes, however, there was just an area for you to stand with your bike, and there were no accidents such as you speak of. Bikes on trains/buses isn't about accommodating a linear commute but accommodating what amounts to a lifestyle in which automobiles are marginalized.

I agree. If I had a secure bike locker at the Park and Ride I drive to, I would bike, ride the commuter bus, and bike back home. They recently installed bike racks, but I've alerady had one bike stolen from there and I'm just not doing it again. That place is a ghosttown during the daytime.

Those hooks on MAXX are a great idea. We should get those installed on our LRVs. It's awkward holding your bike in the ADA area or the vestibule on the current vehicles. (But it's better than not allowing them)

anything that allows people not to use cars is a good thing.

MARC is incredibly poorly equipped. I think two things need to happen:

* Short-term: plan for bike on non-rush hour trains. For bi-level cars make the 'mid'-level seats bike optional priority seats (unless handicapped use was necessary, of course). Optionally, charge a buck or two.

* Long-term: look into a plan for bikes. Make sure that any future rolling stock investment solves this problem. Most commuter trains in Europe I have been on and a great number in the U.S. allow for bikes, there is no reason that with some good planning MARC cannot. MARC needs to have this planned before they buy more.

I think a blanket ban is inexcusable. Sure, it's a difficult problem to solve, but it's not impossible to make most everyone happy with a minimum of work.

I use Michael's friend's approach-- cycle to the West Baltimore station, take the Penn line to Union Station, then ride my other bike to the office. As has been noted, the key here is secure storage. Union Station's new Bike Station allows me to leave one bike there overnight, while the new bike lockers at West Baltimore allow me to leave the other bike there during the day. Personally, I wouldn't want the hassle of trying to drag my bike on and off a crowded MARC train every day.

I am the guy who looked up the law because I want to take my bike on the C&O trail and Great Allegany Passege to Pittsburg and Cumberland MD to and from Cumberland on the weekend without having to go all the way into the city or ride all the way back. I am trying to promote tourism in addition commuuting. Perhaps we could try this on a Monday and Friday to see what happens here..MARC has old RR cars in its junk yard in Brunswick that could be stripped and used as baggage cars.

Where did you get a picture of a Penn Line train with no one standing?
Even on non-rush hour trains, where on a double-decker train on the Penn Line can you fit a bike without getting in people's way? I can't think of anywhere to be honest. On single level cars there is a room, but not on bi-level.
On single level cars I think it makes sense to allow bikes only during non-rush hour trains. However, bikes can be banned from any train by the conductors based on crowding (if trains are canceled those non-rush hour trains could get packed or on holidays when people leave work earlier).

Bike sharing/renting is another interesting option to consider in a long range plan.A small start is underway in DC. More is needed to make it practical to a significant number of people.

https://www.smartbikedc.com/

Portland, OR is the nation's best example of how successful a bicycle and mixed modal transportation system can be. There Max line (light rail) has hooks in every car at each end. The bikes are held securely. They have a high ridership because they've invested in the infrastructure to make it work. Meanwhile, we here in Maryland, have a nearly bankrupt state yet we continue to insist on band-aid solutions like the ill-conceived ICC. I would happily stand if I could take a regular bike on board the train. The double decker cars could easily have one end reconfigured. Perhaps one side outfitted to hold bikes and the other side a bench seat like a bus.

The 2nd bike idea is not practical for the occasional commuter or visitor. I live just outside Baltimore, within a few miles of multiple MARC stations. I would love to be able to ride my bike to the MARC station, and then go into Baltimore or DC with my bike along for getting around the city. Adding bike provisions and weekend trains would make me visit DC much more often.