Bikes On Trains Cause Friction Among Commuters

As ridership increases on Portland, Oregon's light rail lines, more and more cyclists are bringing their bikes on the trains, which is causing tensions over limited space.

1 minute read

August 31, 2007, 10:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

"Ridership on the light-rail system is rising as gas prices remain high, getting more cars off the road. A growing number of those passengers are bicyclists who use the trains, reducing congestion at both ends of their commute."

"But when bikers and nonbikers wind up on the same crowded train at rush hour, tempers sometimes flare. TriMet officials are looking for ways to reduce that friction, short of restricting the number of bikes on trains during rush hour."

"Morning ridership on the westside light rail is up 6 percent, from an average of 3,960 in spring 2002 to 4,200 this spring. Afternoon rush hour ridership increased 11 percent during the same period, from an average of 4,450 in 2002 to 4,950 this year. The agency doesn't have figures on the number of bicyclists who use light rail."

FULL STORY: MAX wants easy ride for bikers

Thursday, August 30, 2007 in The Oregonian

Transportation Oregon

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