The first bicycle-car has been added to the Metra train in Illinois.

Sometimes taking the train is just a lot easier. Especially, if you're headed into someplace like Chicago. There's so much traffic. Parking is expensive and hard to find. Plus, it's nice to be able to sit back and enjoy the ride while letting someone else do the driving.

Once you're in the city, without a vehicle you're kind of limited with where you can go. You can keep taking public transportation including buses and the "L" train, but depending on your agenda, that could get pricey if you need o take several different rides. Sometimes, it won't take you where you need to go. Walking is an option but it does take time if you have to go several city blocks.

There is another option. You could bring your bike. I have a couple of friends that love taking rides. They'll strap their bicycles on the back of the car and head-on into the city. One of their favorite trips is along the lakefront. In the past, if you wanted to have that kind of adventure, you'd have to provide your own transportation. Not anymore, because there's a new way to get yourself with your bike into the city without having to drive yourself.

According to tm.trains.com,

"Metra will introduce its first bike car — a coach with room for 16 bicycles, instead of the "usual five — on Saturday on the Milwaukee District North Line, and will relax its bicycle policy to allow bikes on all trains across its 11 lines as of Monday, Nov. 9. There will still be limits on the number of bicycles allowed and there is no guarantee a bike can be accommodated on a specific trip."

I think this is a great idea. If I still owned a bike I would definitely try it out,.


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