Alameda Runners – Get After It!

BART has unanimously voted to permanently end the bike blackout during weekday commute hours in the morning and afternoon.

Starting three months ago, cyclists were welcomed to bring bikes on BART trains at all times – it was a five-month pilot program by BART management.

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

The policy officially takes effect Dec. 1, but since a six-month test of allowing bicycles on all trains at all times is in progress, the unrestricted access policy is already in effect.

Public comments Thursday on the proposed change drew mostly supporters, many of them members of bicycle advocacy groups or BART committees that have worked on the issue. The only public opposition came from Antonette Bryant, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555, which represents station agents and train operat0rs.

Read the rest of the post after the jump!

The following rules still apply:

• Bikes are not allowed in the first three cars during commute periods and not in the first car of a train at any time.
• Use good judgment and board only if there is ample room for you and your bike. Bikes are never allowed on crowded trains. If a train is crowded, wait for the next train.
• Keep doors and aisles clear. Stack bikes to conserve space.
• Yield seats to the elderly and disabled.

Please use common sense when deciding to take your bike on BART – and be courteous to all passengers around you. It’s still going to take time for people with bikes and regular commuters to get along, especially during busier commute times.

BART has conducted three different tests to eliminate the commute-hour bike blackout, welcoming feedback from riders each time. The BART Board of Directors also had numerous internal communications, while also reaching out to passengers and bike advocacy groups.

Additional reading material:

RailwayAge Magazine – “BART removes ban on bicycles”
San Jose Mercury News – “BART eases bike restrictions”
SF Streets Blog – “BART lifts bike bans permanently”
SF Weekly – “It’s official: Bikes are allowed on BART during rush hour”
East Bay Bicycle Coalition – “Victory for bikes on BART!”

(Image Courtesy of EBBC)