MASSBIKE SCORES MAJOR VICTORY FOR MBTA RIDERS

Lauds T for Increased Bike Access on Subway

Boston, MA: The Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike), the statewide advocacy group dedicated to making Massachusetts a better and safer place to bicycle, today praised the MBTA for its decision to increase bicycle access on the subway.

"This is a major victory for the 750,000 bicyclists in the Commonwealth," said MassBike Executive Director Dorie Clark. "MassBike worked closely with the MBTA to develop this new policy, and we are extremely pleased that the T has taken this positive step forward. We look forward to continuing our work with the MBTA to improve conditions for Massachusetts cyclists."

The T's new policy, which is effective immediately, will allow bikes on the Red, Orange, and Blue Lines at all times except for weekday morning rush hours (7:00-10:00 a.m.) and weekday evening rush hours (4:00-7:00 p.m.). Additionally, two bikes will now be allowed per subway car, as opposed to the previous policy only permitting two bikes on the entire train. The new policy has been implemented on a "trial basis" which the T has said they will evaluate after six months. The MBTA's previous bike regulations were among the most restrictive in the country with regard to weekday access, only permitting bikes between the hours of 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., and after 7:30 p.m.

MassBike has a history of winning important victories for cyclists who use the MBTA. In 1985, MassBike won the right for cyclists to bring their bikes on the T at certain times, which had not been previously permitted at all. In 2000, MassBike successfully encouraged the T to eliminate the "special pass" requirement in order to carry one's bike on the subway. MassBike has more than 1300 dues-paying members across the Commonwealth, and represents the 750,000 Bay State residents who bicycle regularly.

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[History of Bikes on the T]