A history of bikes on Caltrain
In a recent meeting of the Caltrain Bicycle Advisory Committee, Caltrain staff gave a presentation highlighting the history of bicycles on board Caltrain. Here is a timeline from 1977 showing the history of bicycles and Caltrain. The complete Power Point presentation, in pdf format "Caltrain and Bikes" is on the Caltrain website.
1977: Southern Pacific files for abandonment of its San Francisco – San José commuter line.
1980: Caltrans assumes management of rail line from Southern Pacific (renamed “Caltrain”).
1982: Four-month demonstration program for bicycles on board.
1987: Additional demonstration recommended.
1992: JPB (Joint Powers Board) takes over rail line. Caltrain demonstration with four bikes on cab cars, off-peak only.
1993: Five weekday trains become bike accessible, along with all weekend trains.
1993: Bicycle car prototype and retrofit.
1994: Retrofit completed. 12 bikes per train on 30 weekday trains. Weekday bike trains increase from 31 to 46.
1995: Caltrain drops bike permit requirement. All trains become bike-accessible.
1995: Bike capacity doubles to 24 bikes per train with additional retrofit.
1997: Caltrain destination tags introduced.
2004 - 2008: 32 bike spaces per Gallery train; 16 per new Bombardier train.
2008: Caltrain completes Bicycle Access and Parking Plan.
2009: 40 spaces per Gallery car; 24 spaces per Bombardier. 2nd bike car added to most trains in peak. 32% increase in bike capacity.
2010: Trains with 80 bicycle spaces identified on Caltrain website.
Planning and Studies
• Bicycle Access & Parking Plan - 2008
• Comprehensive Access Program – Policy Statement - 2010
• On-board Bike Count & Dwell Study - 2010
Ongoing Projects
• Bicycle Advisory Committee
• Bike capacity plan - 2 bike cars on every Gallery train (as funds become available)
• Capacity Optimization Plan- bike capacity on high-demand trains (Option A)
• Annual Passenger Counts – every February
• SRTP (Short Range Transit Plan) – mini every year, full every 4th yr.
Other Bikes on Board and Bikes on Train links:
Greater Greater Washington - Bikes on Trains
NYC Subway News -Time to find balance between bikes and train passenger space
photo: Richard Masoner