The Chainlink

roll-on train service to Michigan

From Todd Scott's blog, Amtrak will be beginning roll-on service for bikes on its lines to Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing:

 

http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/04/28/amtrak-aiming-for-roll-on-bic...

 

Goody! I'll still drive most of the time for the flexibility it gives me, but it does remove an impediment for many people.

 

David

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Permalink Reply by Radfahrer on May 5, 2011 at 2:38pm

This is such fantastic news!  Can you please keep us updated as to when we'll actually be allowed to do this?  I wanted to go to the tulip festival this weekend in Holland MI but nixed the idea after learning that a car rental would have been way too much $$$ per day -- what a great alternative the train would have been.

 

John

Permalink Reply by Cameron 7.5 mi on May 5, 2011 at 4:56pm
While it’s not nearly as nice as roll aboard service, Indian Trails has a pretty bike friendly luggage policy and decent service coverage in that area.

Radfahrer said:

This is such fantastic news!  Can you please keep us updated as to when we'll actually be allowed to do this?  I wanted to go to the tulip festival this weekend in Holland MI but nixed the idea after learning that a car rental would have been way too much $$$ per day -- what a great alternative the train would have been.

 

John

Permalink Reply by Alex on May 5, 2011 at 7:10pm
Actually, if you got off the train in Detroit with your bike, you could ride south and in about 6 minutes (if you're slow) be sitting in a coffee shop, chatting up the locals. Or the very nice rooftop on the Motor City Brewery. It's certainly not Chicago, but not many cities are. If only Michigan Central was still the train station, then you'd be have easy access to BBQ and SW side taco trucks from the train. Oh well.

I probably spend 15 minutes every two weeks bitching about the lack of roll-on bike train service to Michigan, so this is fantastic news. I can go see my mom with my bike without having to ride for four days. Also, last summer I could've really used a train bailout option - when my bike trip partner hurt his knee in Coldwater, we ended up having to rent a car to drive the last 100 miles.


Mike Zumwalt said:
Trust me I know that's why I left 8 years ago. It's a great city to ride around and explore but if you think it's some place where you can just get off the train, head over to the coffee shop grab a map and chat up the locals...NOT! The one and only train station in Detroit is in the New Center. Not a bad area at all just a(nother) deserted business district.

David A. Pertuz said:

With an attitude like that, you're better off staying in Chicago :)

 

Detroit is a great city to ride in, but you do have to take it for what it is, rather than for what it isn't. There is no more need to ride theough the worst areas of Detroit than there is the worst areas of Chicago. I mean, I'm not going to hang out around 6 Mile & Gratiot at night on a bike, nor on foot or in a car. But even bad-looking areas are fine to ride through.

 

David

Mike Zumwalt said:

I was just thinking how I want to take a train to Detroit, get off, have no mass transit options then ride my bike through deserted/dangerous areas.
Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on May 6, 2011 at 9:34pm

The problem is finding someone to tell you how to get somewhere to tell you how to get somewhere.!? I mean you're in Penn station/Union station

The Amtrak terminal in Indianapolis, the greyhound in Columbus, Ohio...and having to ride a bike a mile just to get to someplace that Might be able to help you find where you are or where you want to go!?  


Detroit is the Motor City and if you don't have a car GTFO.
Alex said:

Actually, if you got off the train in Detroit with your bike, you could ride south and in about 6 minutes (if you're slow) be sitting in a coffee shop, chatting up the locals. Or the very nice rooftop on the Motor City Brewery. It's certainly not Chicago, but not many cities are. If only Michigan Central was still the train station, then you'd be have easy access to BBQ and SW side taco trucks from the train. Oh well.

I probably spend 15 minutes every two weeks bitching about the lack of roll-on bike train service to Michigan, so this is fantastic news. I can go see my mom with my bike without having to ride for four days. Also, last summer I could've really used a train bailout option - when my bike trip partner hurt his knee in Coldwater, we ended up having to rent a car to drive the last 100 miles.


Mike Zumwalt said:
Trust me I know that's why I left 8 years ago. It's a great city to ride around and explore but if you think it's some place where you can just get off the train, head over to the coffee shop grab a map and chat up the locals...NOT! The one and only train station in Detroit is in the New Center. Not a bad area at all just a(nother) deserted business district.

David A. Pertuz said:

With an attitude like that, you're better off staying in Chicago :)

 

Detroit is a great city to ride in, but you do have to take it for what it is, rather than for what it isn't. There is no more need to ride theough the worst areas of Detroit than there is the worst areas of Chicago. I mean, I'm not going to hang out around 6 Mile & Gratiot at night on a bike, nor on foot or in a car. But even bad-looking areas are fine to ride through.

 

David

Mike Zumwalt said:

I was just thinking how I want to take a train to Detroit, get off, have no mass transit options then ride my bike through deserted/dangerous areas.
Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on February 8, 2012 at 6:20pm

Nice idea. Once roll-on service goes live we should get a group together to do this.

I also got to know Adrian Michigan on the Michigander ride the last year I did it and would love to do a weekend trip there to take in the wonderful home architecture. 40 mile ride from Jackson MI Amtrak stop.
Radfahrer said:

This is such fantastic news!  Can you please keep us updated as to when we'll actually be allowed to do this?  I wanted to go to the tulip festival this weekend in Holland MI but nixed the idea after learning that a car rental would have been way too much $$$ per day -- what a great alternative the train would have been.

 

John

Permalink Reply by David P. on February 8, 2012 at 7:03pm

Unfortunately this is still not a reality. Just a couple of days ago I saw a petition or such to pressure Amtrak to institute roll-on service already. I meant to post a link, and I will if I can find it again. 

David

Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on February 8, 2012 at 7:33pm

Heaven comes to he who waits.

-Tears for Fears

David A. Pertuz said:

Unfortunately this is still not a reality. Just a couple of days ago I saw a petition or such to pressure Amtrak to institute roll-on service already. I meant to post a link, and I will if I can find it again. 

David

Permalink Reply by David P. on February 8, 2012 at 7:35pm
Permalink Reply by Radfahrer on March 27, 2012 at 10:37am

Hi David, just posted this link to the Windy City Cycling Club's FB page.  Any updates?

David said:

Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on March 27, 2012 at 12:51pm

Sorry, I'd heard a well-sourced rumor that an exciting announcement was imminent, but it seems that rumor was overly optimistic.
The petition is what's currently happening with this.
David said:

Permalink Reply by jen on March 27, 2012 at 2:38pm

I am a little confused why you are sending the petition to Amtrak. You should be talking to the Michigan department of trans reps. Amtrak signs yearly contracts with the state to provide state service. Currently in Illinois they have it written in the contract to allow bicycles. You should approach MDOT about them adding this into there contract with Amtrak. Amtrak is not going to offer a service the state is not asking for or willing to pay for.

Permalink Reply by Radfahrer on March 27, 2012 at 5:09pm

Don't you think that Amtrak will pass this information along to MDOT if they get a petition with thousands of signatures asking for roll on/roll off bike accommodation?  True, the petition doesn't address MDOT directly, but word gets through I'd think.

jen said:

I am a little confused why you are sending the petition to Amtrak. You should be talking to the Michigan department of trans reps. Amtrak signs yearly contracts with the state to provide state service. Currently in Illinois they have it written in the contract to allow bicycles. You should approach MDOT about them adding this into there contract with Amtrak. Amtrak is not going to offer a service the state is not asking for or willing to pay for.

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