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Metrolink has launched a pilot project to introduce its first two “bicycle cars” — rail cars outfitted with space for at least 18 bicycles, instead of the two bike slots provided on other cars.

“We hope to attract bicyclists whose public transportation options may be limited by available storage space,” said Metrolink Chief Executive Officer John Fenton in a prepared statement. “We are committed to growing our ridership; to do that, we have to modify the type of services we offer.”

To accommodate more bicycles, Metrolink crews removed 29 seats on the bottom level of one car that could seat up to 149 people. The agency coordinated with bicycle advocates on the car design, which was approved by the Federal Railroad Administration.

Metrolink plans to add up to 10 additional bicycle cars to its fleet, depending on the pilot program’s success, agency officials said.