Last fall the NICTD Board of Trustees approved a pilot test of bikes on select weekend trains to debut in April 2016.
To accommodate bikes on trains the South Shore is replacing the 3 person bench seat in its 3/2 seated cars with pneumatic bike racks manufactured by Sportworks of Seattle, Washington. The South Shore is outfitting 3 cars with 26 bike racks and 4 cars with 14 racks. Preserving the 2-person bench opposite the bike rack will enable an individual to sit close to their bike. This Bikes on Weekend Trains pilot program will run from the first weekend in April until the last weekend in October.
The bike cars will be prominently marked and located at the rear of westbound trains and at the front of eastbound trains. Passengers may only board at high level platform stations; namely: South Bend, Dune Park, East Chicago, Hammond, Hegewisch and all stations in Chicago.
Bicycle is defined as a standard non-motorized two-wheel with a maximum front tire width of 2.5″ and maximum distance from front axle to rear axle of 46″ (wheel base). Bicycle DOES NOT include: recumbent, tricycle, tandem, Kiddie/cargo trailer, or gasoline powered bicycle.
Bikes are PROHIBITED during certain Chicago festivals and events such as: Blues Festival, Taste of Chicago, Lollapalooza, and Air & Water Show.