Amtrak expands bikes-on-board program

Amtrak is permitting riders to bring bicycles on trains along several additional national routes, the passenger railroad announced yesterday.

The railroad's train-side check-in bicycle service has been expanded to the following routes: Cardinal, Sunset Limited, California Zephyr, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, City of New Orleans, Lake Shore Limited and Texas Eagle.

Riders are able to hand their standard, full-size bicycles to Amtrak crew members, who will hang the bikes on racks in the baggage car. The service is available at staffed stations that offer checked baggage, according to an Amtrak press release.

Reservations are required to bring bicycles on Amtrak trains.

"Expanding bike service to other Amtrak routes creates more opportunities for customers to explore the nation by combining cycling with train travel for their journey," said Deborah Stone-Wulf, Amtrak vice president of sales distribution and customer service. "We now offer customers a number of different services to travel with their bikes across our national network."

Last year, Amtrak launched the train-side bicycle check-in program on some long-distance and regional routes. During June, July and August, Amtrak trains carried more than 15,000 bikes.

This summer, the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) previewed the expanded program by sending an intern on a cross-country train journey with her bike. Progressive Railroading profiled her journey in a recent online feature.