How-to: Travel with a bike on Amtrak

Welcome to a new series of informative pieces on how to do some pretty fun things on and with bikes to make your bicycling experience all the more simple and seamless. This inaugural how-to article will deal with how to travel by train, and bring your bike along for next to nothing.

There are many ways to travel with a bike. But with rising fuel costs and luggage surcharges, taking a bike with you on the plane can cost you upwards of $150 each way, in addition to your additional baggage, airfare, and taxes. (Not the mention security). However, if you are traveling by plane, simply box your bike up as you would with any form of transportation paying close attention that you do not exceed the maximum box size. But we digress. This is all about trains, isn't it?

Traveling by train is one of the simplest and most ecologically-friendly way to travel. According to Amtrak's amazing environmental impact studies, trains are more than just a convenient way to travel. They are also extremely energy efficient.

"Traveling by rail contributes less per passenger mile to greenhouse gas emissions than either cars or airplanes. According to U.S. Department of Energy data, Amtrak is almost 20 percent more efficient than domestic airline travel and 30 percent more efficient than auto travel on a per-passenger-mile basis. "

* BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, a standard unit of energy.
Figures listed are from 2009 and refer to BTUs used per passenger mile. (Source: Amtrak.com)

Whether you’re traveling east to Chicago (a two-day trip from Salt Lake City), or west to San Francisco (17 hours), Amtrak takes bikes on all trains. For our purposes as Salt Lake City-ites, we’ll focus on the California Zephyr train, which departs each direction once a day from the Amtrak Station at the Intermodal Hub (350 S 600 W, SLC). It is best to box your bike before getting to the station, to avoid any last minute mishaps. Or, as I have done, ride your bike to the station with a folded-up box on the back of your bike, and uninstall and box up your bike once you get there. The Salt Lake City Station is only open from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM, so make sure you don’t try to get there too early or else you’ll be locked out.

The whole process is much easier than most make it out to be. Let’s see if we can review and summarize, using Amtrak’s suggestions as a guide:

• Check your bicycle at the station at least an hour before departure.
• You may bring your own box or purchase one at the station. Bicycle boxes (new or used) are also usually available for purchase at staffed stations that accept checked baggage for $15/box. Boxes are 69 x 41 x 8.5 inches (175 x 104 x 22 centimeters). Call ahead for details and to make sure that boxes are available. Local bicycle shops also may be able to provide you with boxes. After your trip, you may keep your box and use it again if it is in good condition.
• Bicycles usually must be partially disassembled: Loosen and turn the handlebars sideways, and remove the pedals. Both wheels must remain in the forks. Nothing may protrude from the box or make the box bulge. Nothing except the bicycle may be placed in the box.
• Bring your own tools. It may be helpful to disassemble and reassemble your bike before your trip to avoid any surprises. Some parts, especially pedals, may be especially difficult to remove.
• You may also use a container especially designed for transporting bicycles. Such containers must have handles and must be fully closed and latched, with no portion of the bike exposed.
• Attach your name and address to the box.
• Tandem bicycles may be checked and require two boxes, telescoped together.

After all is said and done, one of the best benefits of traveling by rail is the scenery and the peaceful feeling one has while traveling by rail. Whether it’s the peace of mind one gets from saving money or protecting our precious resources and non-renewable fuels, enjoy your time on the train and knowing that you’ll have a bike with you wherever you go.

(Note: A train ticket from Salt Lake City to San Francisco runs around $85)

 

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