NJ Transit Expands Travel Options for Bicyclists Starting Today

Cycling enthusiasts, rejoice! Now, you can take your bike aboard trains at any station in New Jersey.

It's thanks to a newly relaxed bicycle on-boarding policy from NJ Transit that goes into effect today (Sunday).

Cyclists should note that this new policy does not mean you can take your standard (non-collapsible) bike on any train at any time. There are restrictions for certain holidays and peak travel times.

Here are the highlights of NJ Transit's press release:

"Effective July 1, 2012, NJ TRANSIT’s new Bike Aboard Program will allow customers to bring their bicycles onboard trains on all rail lines at all train stations, with some exceptions during heavy travel periods. The policy will also allow train crew members to use discretion when allowing bicycles onboard trains if they have concerns about public safety.

The new policy does not require preregistration or permits, and there is no additional charge for bringing bicycles onboard trains.

Below are the highlights of the revised policy:

• Collapsible bicycles are accommodated on all NJ TRANSIT trains at all times.
• Standard-frame bicycles are permitted on the Atlantic City Rail Line at all times and on other rail lines at all times with the following exceptions:
  • On weekdays: Bicycles are not permitted on inbound trains that end in Hoboken, Newark or New York between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Bicycles are not permitted on outbound trains that originate in Hoboken, Newark or New York between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.  These trains are indicated by a Q in public timetables.
  • On weekends: Bicycles are not permitted on inbound trains to New York between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Bicycles are not permitted on outbound trains from New York between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. 
  • On the following holidays as well as the business day before these holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Sunday After Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Bicycles are not permitted on the day before Rosh Hashanah or day before Yom Kippur, but are permitted on the prior business day and day of the holiday itself.
  • Other times: Bicycles are not permitted on substitute bus service during rail service outages."

The revised policy is available on njtransit.com.