FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1 May 2001

Contacts:
Karen Votava (ECGA) 401-789-1706
Patrick McCormick (LAB) 202-822-1333
Nicole Seitz (Amtrak) 215-349-3324

Amtrak Launches Bikes-on-Board Program

On May 5, Amtrak will celebrate the launch of its ÒBikes-on ÐBoardÓ program, providing service for Amtrak riders with bicycles in the Northeast Corridor. With ÒBikes-on-Board,Ó travelers simply roll their bikes into a specially-outfitted baggage car, where a member of the train crew secures the bike into a rack.

Expanding service already in place on the Vermonter, Adirondack and Ethan Allen trains, Amtrak is adding bicycle carriage on the Twilight Shoreliner (Newport News, VA Ð Boston). On May 5th, to celebrate this expansion of service, a group of bicyclists will roll their bikes onto the baggage car of the Vermonter train in Washington, DCÕs Union Station at 7:30 am, and roll them off in New YorkÕs Penn Station at 10:55 am. An informal press conference is planned for Penn StationÕs Metropolitan Lounge upon arrival at 10:45 am.

The Bikes-on-Board program is a product of AmtrakÕs partnership with the East Coast Greenway Alliance (ECGA) with support from the League of American Bicyclists (LAB). The ECGA has been working since 1991 to develop the East Coast Greenway, a 2600-mile long trail network for non-motorized users, connecting cities of the eastern seaboard from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida. Although hundreds of miles of trail are open for use, there are still significant gaps to be filled. Until new trail construction fills those gaps, many of them can be filled by a ride on bicycle-friendly Amtrak trains. This service is currently limited to a few trains, but Amtrak will be keeping a close watch on the popularity of the service, with an eye towards expansion as the market dictates. ÒWe want to be as inviting as possible for people who want to use rail,Ó said Amtrak Vice-Chair Michael Dukakis. ÒThis is a wonderful opportunity to get people out of their cars and onto trails and trains when they are vacationing. It makes good sense for Amtrak to respond to a growing market for ecotourism and adventure travel.Ó Added Pat King, ECGA trustee and liaison to Amtrak, ÒThis is just the first step in a long-range plan to it make it easier and more convenient for travelers to bring their bikes on Amtrak trains.Ó

Elissa Margolin, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists, said, ÒWeÕre very excited about AmtrakÕs new Bikes-on-Board program and confident it will contribute to the continued growth of commuting and vacation travel by bike. It is particularly appropriate that Amtrak is inaugurating the service during National Bike Month.Ó This is the 45th year the League has declared May to be National Bike Month. The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. For more information on the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.

Space for bicycles can be reserved when guests make ticket reservations. Unlike airlines, Amtrak charges only a nominal fee to reserve a space in the bike rack. Some airlines charge as much as $75 to transport a bicycle Ð and the airlines require that the bike be broken down and boxed.

Beginning April 29th, the Twilight Shoreliner, AmtrakÕs overnight train on the Northeast Corridor that parallels the East Coast Greenway between Newport News, VA and Boston, MA, began to offer bicycle carriage. The Twilight Shoreliner has sleeper accommodations and is an especially convenient and comfortable way to travel long distances on the corridor. For example, New Englanders can board the Twilight Shoreliner in the late evening, and wake up in Washington, Richmond or Williamsburg ready for a day of touring. Likewise, the Twilight Shoreliner provides good connections for those in the Mid-Atlantic states who want to arrive in Providence or Boston in the morning. The Twilight Shoreliner also provides convenient connections to Williamsburg and Newport News, VA from Washington DC.

To make your reservation or for schedules and information, call 1-800-USA-RAIL and ask the reservation agent about traveling with your bike on Amtrak.

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To download an Excel spreadsheet showing cities served by Amtrak "Bikes-on-Board" service and the East Coast Greenway trail segments located near those train stations, click here.