Bikes OK on new Hartford rail line

Bicycles are now allowed on Connecticut’s newest rail line, the state Department of Transportation has announced.

“With the growing success of the Hartford Line, we are pleased to announce that we will now allow bikes on board, providing passengers with more carfree travel options,” said Public Transportation Chief Richard Andresk.

In response to customer requests and outreach by the bicycle advocate community, DOT conducted an analysis that determined that bicycles could be safely stored on board CTrail Hartford Line trains, he said.

The new policy, which went into effect Thursday, allows customers to bring their bicycles on board any CTrail Hartford Line train. The bicycles must be stored in accordance with crew member directions to ensure the safety of customers and train crews.

Collapsible and folding bicycles will also be permitted on any CTrail Hartford Line train, but they must be folded or collapsed before boarding the train. Collapsible and folding bicycles must be stored in luggage storage areas at the end of the coach or under a seat, and are not to be stored in overhead racks.

These protocols will remain in place until bike racks are installed on all CTrail Hartford Line coaches. The bike rack installation will begin this fall and continue through early 2019, providing a permanent storage area for bicycles.

Bicycles are allowed aboard Metro-North trains at most times outside of rush hours and major holidays.