GUIDETO:

MTA BICYCLE POLIC

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RACK & ROLL PROGRA

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BIKES ON RAIL

STAY SAFE

BIKE RACKS & LOCKER

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YOUR RIDE IS HERE.

MARYLAND TRANSI

T ADMINISTRATION

BICYCLES

ONMTA

www.mtamary

land.com

Martin O’Malley, Governor

1/09 5K

MARYLAND TRANSITADMINISTRATIONBICYCLE POLICYBicycles on MTA is one of the Maryland TransitAdministration’s Go Green programs keepingour state on the move while fostering ahealthy environment.

Public transportation and bicycles provide moremobility options to everyone, help improve airquality and reduce traffic congestion. In Maryland,public transportation and bicycles can and dowork together to allow for longer trips. That’ssmart transportation – the ability to moveseamlessly between transit modes in a healthy,enjoyable manner.

To make transit convenient for bicyclists, theMTA has, for some time, allowed riders to bringbicycles onto Light Rail, Metro Subway and insome cases, MARC Train. Bicycles can go alongfor the ride free of charge on MTA Local Buses asbuses are outfitted with new front-mounted bikeracks. To get the most out of biking, stow yourbicycle at an MTA-provided bicycle rack or lockerlocated at stations and stops along the system.

22INCH

ESWIDE 48INCHES

HIGH

72 INCHESLONG

A vehicle consisting of a metal frameon two spoked wheels one behind theother and having a seat, handlebars forsteering, and two pedals by which it isdriven. -vi. –cled, -cling, -cles. To ride on abicycle. –bi’cy·clist n.

A bicycle is a two-wheel vehicle, no longer than72 inches, no higher than 48 inches, or wider than22 inches. A bicycle whose frame folds and the

wheels come together is permitted on all MTAservices, including MARC Train. Motor-powered,recumbent or tandem bicycles are not allowed onMTA services. Motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles andbicycles with trailers or training wheels are notallowed on MTA services. You must be 18 yearsof age with proof of age or accompanied by anadult who is 18 years of age to bring a bicycleon MTA services. Only one bicycle per personis allowed onboard.

RACK AND ROLL!

Tips for Loading and Unloading a BicycleUsing a Bus Front-Mounted Bike Rack:

Local Buses are equipped to carry two bicycles,although there may be an occasion when a busin service does not have a bicycle rack. Thebicycle racks are very easy to use, designedfor cyclists to load and unload themselves. Seethe steps below for loading and unloading.

LOADING1. To prepare your bike for loading prior to

the arrival of the bus, take off loose items,water bottles, chain locks, or any otherdangling objects.

2. Stay back as the bus approaches the stopand do not allow your body or bicycle toextend past the curb area.

3. Alert the operator that you will place abicycle on the rack, and then go to the frontof the bus to load the bicycle from the curbside. Please do not step into oncoming trafficto load your bike.

4. If the rack is in the upright position, using onehand, squeeze the handle to carefully lowerthe bicycle rack while holding your bike withthe other hand.

5. Lift the bicycle, fitting wheels into the labeledslot closest to the bus. If it is the second bicycleon the rack it should face in the oppositedirection of the first bicycle.

6. The front tire should be in the wheel slot withthe padded hook.

7. Raise the padded hook up and over the fronttire so the hook rests at the highest point onthe front wheel. The hook adds lateral supportfor the loaded bicycle.

8. Board the bus, pay the fare and tell theoperator at which stop you will depart withyour bicycle.

9. Enjoy the ride!

UNLOADING1. Don’t forget your bicycle is loaded on the bus!

2. Exit from the front door and remind theoperator you have a bike to take off the rack.

3. Raise the padded hook off the tire by pullingup and away, and lower it around the tire toits original position on the rack.

4. Lift your bike off the rack.

5. If there are no other bicycles on the rack,return the rack to the upright position bysqueezing the handle and folding up therack until it snaps into position.

6. Step away from the bus toward the curb andwait for the bus to pull away from the stopbefore safely beginning your bicycle journey.

BIKES ON RAIL

Bicycles may be brought aboard the MTA'sLight Rail and Metro Subway trains. Whenusing these services be sure to:• Push or carry the bicycle when on the elevator,

inside the station, on the platform or inthe train.

• If the train is crowded due to morning orafternoon rush hour, sporting events orspecial events, please wait for the next train.

• Stay a safe distance from the loading platformedge at all times before boarding trains.

• Be considerate of other passengers andwait until exiting and entering passengershave cleared the doorway before carryingthe bicycle onto the train.

• Follow any instructions given by transit staffregarding bicycle transport.

• In the event a bicycle or other property fallsinto the track area of the Metro Subway system,DO NOT attempt to retrieve it personally.Immediately, approach the Station Attendantfor assistance.

• Place the bicycle in the area reserved forseniors and individuals with disabilities. Beprepared to move the bicycle to make wayfor seniors and individuals with disabilitieswho have priority over bicycles. Hold ontothe bicycle and keep it out of the way ofother passengers.

MARC TrainA bicycle whose frame folds and the wheelscome together is permitted on MARC Train. Thepreferred method of transporting a folded bicycleon MARC Train is in a case. Stow folded bicyclesso that passenger aisles are kept unobstructed.Folded bicycles are not permitted to be stowed inoverhead storage bins. Extreme care must betaken when entering or exiting MARC Train witha bicycle from or onto a low platform.

STAY SAFE!

Staying safe when riding on the roads meanswatching out for public transportation vehicles,and audio/visual warning devices. That isimportant advice because the MTA operatesover 70 Local, Express and Commuter Buslines and nearly 800 buses stop at more than6,000 bus stops in the Baltimore area. Plus,Light Rail operates predominantly at street level.

To stay safe bicyclists must alwayswatch for transit vehicles and practicethe following:• When approaching Light Rail or other railroad

tracks, always expect a train at any time, fromany direction, and on any track in the vicinity.

• Obey railroad crossing safety devices: thatmeans signals, flashing lights, gate arms,and audible bells.

• NEVER try to race a train or piece of trackequipment through a grade crossingor intersection.

• Stop, look, and listen before crossing tracksat the designated location. Trains and trackequipment move more quickly than they mightappear to be moving. If stopped, they maymove without warning.

• Do not rely on sound alone to warn of anapproaching train as they can be very quiet.

• Light Rail trains follow different traffic signalsand may move at unexpected times.

• If you, as a bicycle rider, cannot see a transitvehicle’s outside mirror, the operator of thatvehicle is unable to see you.

• A cyclist should never pass a bus on theright side at any time since a bus may turnor pull closer to the curb to pick up or dropoff passengers.

• When you pass a bus with its rear angledout into traffic, pass on the left and lookaround carefully. Pass the front of the buswith plenty of room in case it pulls out orpedestrians appear.

• Buses and other large vehicles need moreroom to negotiate turning corners, so stayaway from the rear of a turning vehicle.

BICYCLE RACKSAND LOCKERSMost Light Rail stops and Metro Subway stationshave bicycle racks, as well as many MARC Trainstations. Racks are available at no cost. Bikelockers are also available throughout the MTAsystem at several Light Rail stops, MetroSubway stations and MARC Train stations. Forlocations where bike lockers are available andfor information on renting a bicycle locker, callthe MTA Office of Customer Information at410-767-8749. A $25.00 deposit for the lockeris refundable. The yearly cost of renting a lockeris $70.00.

I FORGOT MY BIKE WAS ONTHE FRONT OF THE BUS!NOWWHAT DO I DO?Call the MTA Transit Information Line 6:00 am –7:00 pm, Monday – Friday at 410-539-5000 ortoll-free 866-RIDE-MTA (743-3682). Or, afterbusiness hours, weekdays and on weekends, callthe MTA Police 24/7 at 410-454-7720. An MTAInformation Agent or MTA Police Officer willask for specific information about a cyclist’s busride such as: bus route number, bus vehiclenumber (if known), time of day of the bus ride,and where the cyclist exited the bus. Every effortwill be made to locate the bicycle and arrangefor its return.

FOR MOREINFORMATIONMTA Office of Customer InformationInformation on Bicycle Lockers and Racks6 St. Paul Street, 3rd FloorBaltimore, MD 21202410-767-8749www.mtamaryland.com

MTA Information410-539-5000 or 866-RIDE-MTA (743-3682)

Maryland Department of TransportationMDOT Director of Bicycle and Pedestrian Access7201 Corporate Center DriveP.O. Box 548Hanover, MD 21076www.mdot.state.md.us

State Highway AdministrationBicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator707 North Calvert St., MS 502Baltimore, MD 21202410-545-5656 or 800-252-8776bikes@sha.state.md.us

Baltimore CityBike & Pedestrian Planner417 East Fayette St., Suite 555Baltimore, MD 21202410-396-6858

MTA TTY 410-539-3497

• Ask your boss to join CommuterChoice Maryland. It’s free!

• Save lots of money by not driving

• Receive your MTA monthly passconveniently at your worksite

• Ride MTA Local Bus, CommuterBus, Light Rail, Metro Subway,and MARC Train FOR LESSTHAN FULL FARE!

• Use your savings to pay formortgage, college tuition,vacations, home repairs, etc.

Call 410-767-8750 or visitwww.commuterchoicemaryland.com

RACK AND ROL

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NEW BICYCLECOMMUTERBENEFITS ACT

Transportation Fringe Benefitfor Bike Commuters

Starting January 1, 2009, employers mayreimburse employees up to $20 per month, taxfree, for “reasonable” expenses related to theirbike commute, including equipment purchases,bike purchases, repairs, helmets, and storageif the bicycle is used as a “substantial part”of the commuter’s trip to work for the month.If an employee already receives another tax-freecommuter benefit for transit, vanpooling, orparking then the benefit is not valid.

Ask your boss for the new Bicycle CommuterBenefit starting January 2009.

Call 410-767-8750 or visitwww.commuterchoicemaryland.com