A Bike Rider's Guide to Capitol Corridor
All trains on the Capitol Corridor are equipped with a limited number of bicycle racks, allowing you to bring your bike onboard as unboxed, carry-on baggage. It's an easy and convenient way to take your bike with you, and you can explore Northern California without ever getting in your car.
Capitol Corridor and Bicycles
In order to keep your trip a safe experience, the Capitol Corridor will begin to phase in a revised Bicycle Access Program. This program revision is an issue we have been working on diligently once we began experiencing increased ridership with its corresponding growth in bike usage. Bicycle storage space on board Capitol Corridor trains is limited by the design and availability of equipment, and the increase in both bicycle usage and overall ridership is constraining our capacity to safely accommodate so many bicycles. Safety, in this instance, is not just a viewpoint; it is mandated via compliance with basic operations standards as regulated by federal law. Please read the updated Bicycle Access Program and its background to see how these updated guidelines may apply to you.
Initially, the program's first phase of implementation, starting April 10, 2012, will be a transition period to raise awareness among riders and allow time for additional conductor training prior to the full program roll out. As part of this first phase, conductors will be placing hang-tags as a warning on bicycles that are not properly stored according to the revised guidelines.
Please be aware that demand for bicycle storage on some trains can be very high and space will become limited. Under the current and new Bicycle Access Program, the conductor has the right to and may refuse to board a bicycle if she/he is concerned that the bicycle cannot be safely stored on board the train that day. If you have concerns about being able to successfully board a Capitol Corridor train with your bicycle on a consistent basis, please read through all the information presented on this webpage and associated links
Later, we will announce the revised guidelines effective date on this web site and through our Capitol Corridor communication channels-please sign up for our E-Updates CC Rail Mail e-newsletterto be alerted about this and other service and policy updates.
Additionally, you can also stay updated via CCJPA's Bicycle Blog. This page will be updated by CCJPA staff and focus on bikes aboard trains and how it affects Capitol Corridor service.
Bike Access Program Background: Why It's Changing and Ways You Can Help
Bicycle Access Program
Rack Locations
You can find bicycle racks on the lower level of most coach cars. If all racks are full, notify the conductor. The conductor will do his/her best to identify a place for you to safely secure your bike. Please carry a bungee cord with you, to use in securing your bike.
Securing Your Bike
- Standing behind the bike, pull the handlebars up to stand the bike vertically.
- Guide the front wheel onto the hook on the wall. You may have to lift the bike up a few inches.
- For a more secure fastening, lower the stabilization bar next to the front wheel and wrap the Velcro strap around the forks. You can also lock your bicycle through the stabilization bar.
- If bicycle hooks are blocked by baggage, leave the bike adjacent to the baggage, not blocking an aisle and ask for the conductor's assistance.
- If you board/off-board at Berkeley, please try to use cars #2 and #4 for your bicycle storage, if space is available. Conversely, if you do not utilize the Berkeley station, please try to store your bicycle in cars other than #2 and #4.
Bike Racks Full?
During peak travel times, bike racks can fill up quickly on busy trains. If the bike racks are full, follow the instructions of the train crew on where to place and secure your bicycle with a bungee cord so that it won't impede the flow of all traffic in the lower levels. Thank you for your cooperation.
Folding Bikes
A folding bicycle may be your best option of consistently guaranteeing that you'll be able to bring your bicycle on board. A folding bicycle can be treated as luggage and stored in the luggage rack areas of the train. If the train is crowded, and the bicycle racks are full, a folded bicycle can ensure that you have a usable bicycle on both ends of your trip.
Folding Scooters/Skateboards
Falling somewhere between walking and bicycling, kick- or battery-powered (gas-powered motors are not allowed aboard the train) scooters or skateboards can be an ideal "last mile" travel companion. Used on both ends or on one end of your train trip, the convenience of a scooter or skateboard is a handy alternative to using a bicycle on the train and the fact that they store away nicely is a bonus.
Bikes on Motorcoach Buses
Most motorcoach buses can accommodate a limited number of bicycles. Storage is underneath the motorcoach in the luggage compartment and some buses also have front-of-bus racks. Similar to bicycle access on the trains, passengers must load and unload their bikes.
Upcoming Capitol Corridor Bicycle Access Program Revisions
Federal passenger train regulations apply to bicycles on board trains as follows:
Bicycles Must be Stored Securely
Securing a bicycle means it must be attached to designated mounted infrastructure with a sufficiently robust restraining device to prevent the bicycle from flying through the air in the event of a sudden stop. All bicycles must be secured; this is not an issue that can be discussed or debated with the conductor. Bicycles secured in a loose, flimsy or inappropriate manner, as deemed by the conductor, will not be permitted.
How to Secure Your Bike:
You can use bicycle locks, bungee cords, or other restraining devices that can be affixed tightly to mounted infrastructure on the train. Bungee cords are sold in the Café Car (for an affordable cost) if you did not bring a device of your own.
The hanging bicycle storage areas typically have Velcro straps on the black stabilizing bars, which can be used as long as the straps tightly restrain the bicycle. Some of the stabilizing bars may be missing Velcro straps due to en-route damage, but these will be replaced as they go through the maintenance cycle. If the strap is not present, you must use another restraining device such as a bungee cord, to secure your bike.
Please bear in mind that the conductor will ultimately judge whether or not a bicycle is properly secured.
Bicycles Must be Stored Out of Aisle Areas
If you bring your bike on board, you must secure it in a designated bike storage area. Bicycles may not be stored in restrooms. If the bike rack spaces are full, please carefully put your bike between other bikes in the floor-mounted bike racks or in an area where it can be 1.) secured; and, 2.) out of the aisles and walkways. Bicycles cannot impede or block the aisles or walkways. All aisles and walkways must provide sufficient space for free movement of passengers with or without a wheelchair or walker. If the conductor feels the walkways are impeded, the bicycle owner must relocate the bicycle to another suitable storage space on the train or take another train that has sufficient storage space.
We thank you for your cooperation and understanding in keeping Capitol Corridor a safe mode of transit for all.
Bike Access Program Background: Why It's Changing and Ways You Can Help >
Download the Bicycle Access Program Guide >
See more about Stations, Security, Signs, and Parking >
Download the Capitol Corridor Ride Guide & Travel Policies Brochure >
