Action Alert: Support More Funding for Caltrain Bike Improvements

As Caltrain electrification approaches in 2022, SVBC has been working with SF Bicycle Coalition to further the bike-friendliness of Caltrain. While electrification will bring faster trains, more service, and more capacity, we are working to ensure that people are able to safely and conveniently bike with Caltrain whether by bringing their bike on-board, securely parking at stations, or using one of the growing bike share services.While a lot of progress has been made over the past few years, there is now the opportunity for additional funding to further our goals. Read the updates and then write a note to the Caltrain Board to show your support for more funding for bike improvements.On-Board Bike CapacityAfter Caltrain committed to increased bike capacity on electric trains in 2015, they determined last year that future six-car trains would include two bike cars that would retain the “stacking” configuration to maximize bike spaces. While this will increase bike space per hour, we still have lingering concerns about the security of bike cars with limited seating. There is bike theft both on board and at stations today. Caltrain has pledged to address this issue through a bike security review and public outreach coming this spring.In January, Caltrain applied for $600 million in state funding to provide a variety of upgrades to the electrified system, including buying additional electric cars to allow for eight-car train sets. Longer trains would allow Caltrain to further increase bike space on board and address security through car design. Other proposed improvements would be for stations and bringing wi-fi on board. We look forward to hearing whether Caltrain receives this funding next month.Bike Parking and Bike Share As we’ve shared, bike share is exploding in the Bay Area and it’s helping people to connect to/from Caltrain in San José, San Mateo, Burlingame, South San Francisco, and San Francisco.Caltrain recently secured $500,000 to fund Caltrain’s Bike Parking Management Plan from new State Rail Assistance Grant program, created by Senate Bill 1. With that money, they are moving forward on hiring a bike-specific staff person who will manage many of these projects and implement the Bike Parking Management Plan, resulting in more secure bike parking options along the corridor like e-lockers and secure bike rooms.Do you want to show your support for bike funding and improvements? Email Caltrain Board at board@caltrain.com and copy emma@bikesiliconvalley.org before their next meeting April 5. Suggested talking points:

• Thank you to Caltrain for seeking additional funding for 8-car trains.
• I support funding for:
  • Longer trains/more overall capacity
  • Increased on-board bike capacity and bike security
  • Increased and more secure bike parking options at stations.
• Thank you to Caltrain for moving forward to hire a bike-specific staff person.
• Bike theft is a real concern. I hope Caltrain staff will take feedback and make design changes to ensure people bringing their bikes onboard feel their property is secure.