A message in the Zoobomb Forums spells out some new TriMet regulations for bringing bikes on MAX trains that Zoobombers worry could crimp their style.
Handsome Dave writes,
“A TriMet employee hand delivered us one copy of a 3-page letter of new rules this last Sunday…”
Here are key excerpts of the letter (full text here):
1. Only board through train doors displaying the bicycle symbol.
2. Prior to boarding, allow other passengers to exit and enter the train first.
3. Use the designated bicycle areas only, with one bicycle per space. If the train car has a vertical bicycle rack, use these spaces first. If non-bicycle riders are present in the designated bicycle area, politely ask them to move. Do not insist they move and do not attempt to remove or push them from the designated area.
4. No part of a bicycle may block the stairwells or aisles. Bicycles are not allowed in the space at the top of the stairs located at the front door of the train car.
5. Bicycle users must yield priority-seating area to seniors and people with disabilities.
6. Bicycles must be reasonably clean. The District may refuse service to bicycles that are excessively unclean or may require them to be de-boarded.
7. Bicycles are not permitted aboard train cars that are full, or where their presence aboard a train will obstruct access to, from or within the train car, or where they will create a safety risk.
8. The District may require bicyclists to leave a train car when overcrowded or in anticipation of overcrowding due to special events or other causes.
Authorized By: Fred Hansen, General Manager”
I’ve heard from TriMet sources for a long time that existing bike regulations were inadequate and unclear. So it seems to me that they are just remedying that situation. Whether this means they’ll be more strict about Zoobombers specifically remains to be seen.
Thanks for reading.
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I was there when the rules got dropped off … something not mentioned here, which bothered me more than any of the above, is that Tri-Met officially doesn’t allow trailers, or bikes of “abnormal size”, which could be interpreted to mean tall bikes or recumbents.
Because Zoobomb runs Sunday nights, we usually travel on sparsely-populated trains, and in such situations I’ve never seen there be any real problem with fitting everybody. I’m curious to know whether Tri-Met is planning to crack down on these rules in the absence of any rider complaints.
The one and only time I ever detected any conflict between pedestrians and bicyclists on the MAX was a certain argument between myself (on a normal-sized bike) and a meth addict (on meth) who didn’t think bikes should be allowed to board. Other than that, my observation is that bikers and peds ride harmoniously on the MAX. I’d be curious to know if Tri-Met sees this differently.
I find these rules to be offensive. Some of them are so obvious (e.g. yielding priority seating to seniors and people with disabilities) that I wonder why they feel the need to reiterate them specifically for cyclists. Other rules are simply unreasonably. I usually try to board before others so that I can whip my bike up into the rack and get out of the way. The process of boarding becomes much less efficient for everyone if I wait for everyone else to get in before I do. Lastly, some of these rules are unfair. It is unfair for me to not be allowed onto the train when I am a paying member just like (hopefully) everyone else is. If cyclists are treated like second-class MAX riders, can we pay a reduced fee? Only then would it be fair.
I’m generally very positive on TriMet, but if this is what they think of my patronage, I’m glad I don’t have to ride the MAX to work anymore.
Before getting too upset about cyclists being treated unfairly on the MAX, I think it would be worthwhile to keep in mind that cyclists pay the same fair as non-cyclist passengers but are given special accommodations for their bicycle, effectively taking up the space that could otherwise be occupied by at least one more paying passenger.
I would also point out that the fact you can even bring bikes on public transit is pretty much unheard of in nearly every single public transit system the world over. TriMet really deserves extreme props for this.
S
“If non-bicycle riders are present in the designated bicycle area, politely ask them to move. Do not insist they move and do not attempt to remove or push them from the designated area.”
This seems to suggest that there have been some relevant incident(s)/complaint(s) involving Zoobombers. No doubt shoving someone or otherwise attempting to physically move them is prohibited by general riding rules, as well as by the law. Otherwise, the rules seem to be rules of general applicability aimed at safety and efficiency, as they purport to be. But that quoted piece is weird.
I just don’t know what to think. Tri-Met definitely sent out a guy just to make sure ZB got this paperwork, and ZB dutifully took note of the rules. Maybe nothing more is going to happen, since we don’t actually break these rules.
But I heard that Gabriel got some heat from Tri-Met cops for bringing his trailer (chariot) on board last week. Is Tri-Met cracking down on freak bikes? If so, why?
I guess we’ll find out …
You missed posting the “GENERAL RULES” section which is key:
###
1. Only conventional single seat , two wheeled bicycles, and recumbent and electric bicycles the size of a standard bicycle, are allowed on District Vehicles under these Rules. However , electric bicycles are allowed on District rail vehicles only if they have a sealed battery compartment. Bicycles with oversized wheels, tandems, three or more wheels, trailers, or internal combuction engine powered bicycles are not allowed on District Vehicles. Bicycles are not allowed on LIFT paratransit vehicles.
###
What this means: NO TRICYCLES. NO CHILD TRAILERS. What the heck??
This whole thing seems strange to me. If TriMet added all this new stuff to their bike rules, what kind of PR strategy is it to hand-deliver them to Zoobombers?
and on another note… I don’t really see anything that is anti-Zoobomb. maybe I’m missing something.
And for the record, I don’t think TriMet hasan obligation to accomodate every type of bicycle that exists.
Of course I wish we could bring whatever we want on-board, but it’s a privilege, not a right.
I think it would be more constructive to offer them some good solutions.
I think they should have a bike only car…or at least have more room in certain cars for bikes.
Well the good news is that the ZooBombers have survived many slings and arrows worse than this, I’d put my money on them. Besides, on the handful of Sunday nights I have joined them over the years, I have never seen anything untowards occur on the trains or platforms. The ZB creed of MAXimum respect is no joke. I sincerely hope that these codified rules of engagement do not signal a new offensive of the anti-fun forces.
The tandem and trailer ban has been a particular pain for me over the years. With the front wheel removed, I have no problem putting the bike into a vertical rack space. Putting the optional 3rd wheel on your Burley makes it a stroller . . . perhaps a way to sidestep that issue.
Sasha’s point is a good one to remember, we are blessed to have the amazing bicycling buy-in of TriMet that we currently enjoy. Friends in other cities cannot believe many of the facilities we enjoy here, and the full access to ALL buses and trains ranks high on that list.
TriMet’s Move?
this is nothing new. since the beginning of time(summer of 2002) the idea of bringing that many bikes on maxx has been not exactly legal. when the original “crack down” happened around october of 2002 we did the “great portland bike lift.. we filled a trailer up with all the library bikes and peoples personal bikes and drove them( ooo noo) to the top of the hill and they were there waiting for everybody. when we showed up at the maxx without our bikes the trimetropolititians were dumb founded. we all piled on the trains but they couldn’t say anything because we had no bikes… the next week they weren’t there… but there has always been a rule in effect that at most something like 8 bikes at most were legal..luckily some maxx drivers look the other way. some don’t that’s life.
and maxxs do crash
one of the people from the nightmare collective
was on a maxx that got hit by a fire truck and got 2 puntchered(sp?) lungs and a pack of cracked ribs..
so the safety thing is an actual concern….
When I ahve travelled to singapore I noticed that they allow bikes on neither the train or any of their buses. This basically bans multimode commuting in their entire country even though they have the best mass transit system I’ve ever seen, mostly due to their high population density. (Islands prevent sprawl) I hope that trimet isn’t moving in the wrong direction with regard to bikes on max. It makes sense to not have bikes during the rose festival when the trains are packed but the idea of enforcement actions targeting problems that don’t exist seems counter to why I vote yes on transit initiatives.
bjorn
Screw Tri Met and the great white horse they rode in on…….
It is the responsibility of Tri met to allow room for bicycles, and by this I mean more bicycles than they allow room for now.
There was a time when bikes were not allowed on Tri Met trains during 3 hour commuter blocks of time, depending on direction.
Like, from 6-9 am, there were no bikes allowed on in bound trains….
I would not doubt it they were in the process of reinstating this soon.
And, on the note of no bikes allowed on full trains.
This would not be a problem if Tri Met both allowed properly for the amount of commuter riders on trains, instead of packing them in on trains like sardines.
We subsidize Tri Met heavily….
This means we, even with our bikes, should be allowed on trains at any time of the day, no matter what, and no matter how many.
I have had passengers block my access onto the train during busy commuter times, when I could see a empty bike hook.
I pushed my way onto the train, past the people…
And, one more note.
The highly inadequate bike hooks should be replaced with a more responsible minded holding system.
I have a beautiful bike that is ruined from the combination of herky jerky driving, and the crappy hook style storage.
It flew off the hook, and inot one of the poles…..
Tri Met needs to be put back in it’s place, which is public transportation, not street domination…
Seems like what they really need is a tram running from Goose Hollow up to the Zoo. Zoobombers ought to just pool their MAX fare from every Sunday and buy their own bus to haul bikes up the hill, that’d teach TriMet. But, I’ve had mostly good experiences using TriMet and my bike.
Fred Hansen is a *self censored*. He runs an inefficient and costly organization. He will probably win some award for this latest ruleset/manifesto.
more of the same nonsense rules from a well paid public servant with nothing useful to do. Very Predictable and Very Pointless.
I’ve never Zoobombed, so forgive me for any ignorance, but aren’t we talking about just 1-2 trains to the zoo once a week on a Sunday evening? It doesn’t seem to me like Zoobombers are some huge impact to the Tri-Met system. Am I missing something here?
The ZooBomb record is like 80 bikes on a one-car train…but I’ve never seen any passengers complain, mostly they seem to enjoy the company. Some operators love ZooBomb and some are not so accomodating. Fred Hansen is too out of touch to know what’s really happening, he just signs the memos. I’ve been on over 100 ‘Bombs and I can’t recall there ever having been any serious problems that weren’t caused by TirMet inspectors. ZooBomb occurs at an off-hour and boosts TriMet’s ridership #s, thus helping to guarantee their public subsidies.
We do subsidize it and you may have bought a ticket, but that doesn’t give you a “right” to bring on whatever you want. We all know that not every bike is just a bike, that not every bike can even fit on a train. There should be and will always be limits on what an individual can bring on to a train.
You guys, don’t you know that your fun isn’t approved by Fun Inc. and isn’t listed anywhere on fun dot com.
Obviously you haven’t gone through the proper fun channels and you may well be exceeding your maximum alloted fun.
Get with the program!
Tri Met should charge a fee for bicycles on Max. A bicycle takes up at least as much room as pedestrian and should be charged for the increased burden on the bandwidth.
Perhaps a better solution is to charge by attitude. Pleasant & polite riders would be charged the citizen’s rate. Impolite fussy riders whining about entitlements would be charged a higher rate.
My personal philosophy has always been that you have to earn the right to go bombin down a hill by first riding up it. But I can tolerate diversity.
Also, I rarely ride the Max … cause I have a bike. I think the key question here is whether the ZBers are causing problems for other riders. If not, the New Rules seem like a huge PR blunder. If so, then … well, it’s still a PR blunder, but they’re perhaps warranted?
TriMet can go either way on this. What they don’t need is some bad, anti-biker publicity right now. Remember when the cops took all the bikes away? They did a 360 in their PR department, and fast. The powers that be, only see the ZB’s as a physical presence. When, what they truly represent, is P-towns’ individuality and wierdness. They should appreciate and covet the attention, not try to derail its meaning. Why not invite some of the TM pencil pushers on a bomb?
It seems reasonable that a line needs to be drawn somewhere. Exactly where is difficult to determine.
Trimet, and other government agencies, do need to become reacquainted the the notion that fun activities, like zoobomb, are essential to the public well being. Zoobomb is a Portland essential that has the world’s eye. Rather then trying to contain it, “they” should be encouraging it.
I have never had a problem with bikes on Trimet. It would be more important for my comfort if they would screen out reeking heavy smokers, tweakers with rotten mouths, and anyone in month old underwear. But bikes? Not a problem.
Not taking sides, just asking a question:
When the Bombers are taking MAX to the Zoo are they:
A. Polite, respectful, conversing appropriately and acting as most people on a transit train would?
or
B. Loud, obnoxious, acting unruly, and throwing an F-bomb into every utterance?
Also, does Tri-Met feel there is the “potential” for a problem and are launching a preemptive strike? Since they have delivered the rules directly to the Bombers, then it gives law enforcement easier justification to enforce and prosecutors an easier “they knew the rules beforehand” tack in the courtroom? This probably isn’t passenger driven considering the time and day the Bombers ride. I wonder if the train operators view what they see as “inappropriate horseplay” on their CCTV screens and have lodged the complaints with their superiors?
Personally, I do ride the MAX quite a bit and it has gotten more crowded in recent months. Perhaps Tri-Met should really consider ripping out half of the seats, adding more bike amenities, and increasing the “bandwidth” of their service.
Attornatus,
Have we got the ride for you! While it’s true that most Zoobombers rely on the MAX and scorn pedalling UP hills, there is a Mini Bike Winter event for those rare beasts of your ilk who are willing to earn their turns:
THE BADASS CHALLENGE
Friday, February 16th, 11PM
The Pile, SW 10th and Oak
A minibike (16″ and under) race from the pile to the top of the hill. The route is up to you.
Seriously. Grab the neighbor kid’s bike. It’d be great to see you there.
Brad (#24),
As with any sub-culture group or cultural phenomenon, there’s often misunderstandings about it (look how screwed people’s perception is of Critical Mass).
In my experience, Zoobombers are very polite and respectful in everything they do, not just while on MAX trains.
For instance, they have stopped crimes, they’re adamant about picking up trash while up on the hill and they are welcoming and helpful when newbies show up.
Brad,
Those are good questions.
Here’s what I have observed:
Zoobombers may not be polite, respectful, and kind to one another…but when it comes to strangers on the train, there is a serious and sometimes entertainingly-obvious effort to be kind and respectful to other transit users. Yes there’s some poor language being thrown around and I certainly wouldn’t describe the behavior as “acting as most people on a transit train would,” but on the rare occasions where I’ve seen a Zoobomber cross the line and upset TriMet staff or other passengers…the offending party is dealt with internally in a quick and thorough fashion.
“MAXimum respect” rules the day. I assume that this is part of why most MAX operators wave and ring their bell when we get off and file past the front of the train smiling, waving, and saying “Thank you TriMet!” I’m not kidding. Not to tarnish any illusions of badassedness, but most of the interactions I’ve had or witnessed between Zoobomb and the public (including TriMet, the police, security, pedestrians, and housepets) feature exuberant diplomacy on the part of ZB and affectionate bemusement on the part of the public. I wish I could say the same of Critical Mass.
I encourage you to c’mon out one of these nights and see for yourself.
from my experience, the ZBers are some of the more “normal” people on the trains after 11pm on Sundays!!
also, no one needs to be “Invited” on a bomb. Your presence is your invite. The experienced people will tell you:
1. buy a ticket
2. keep your pants on
3. be NICE to the drivers and the passengers
4. Fight Evil Crime.
Also, as a “big bike” bomber(often maligned for my excessive 26inch wheels) – I have ridden up the hill before the bomb twice – it is really hard! However, AO – if you wanna do it, do it – then report back.
This latest TriMet missive seems to be laying the groundwork for more harrassment. Pointless and Consistent with TriMet’s Mgmt Policies, for cure.
By the way,
My comment reflects my feelings on Tri Met in general, not in reference to 50+ bikes.
But later on a sunday, why are they so worried about a couple of over loaded train rides?
They are chargiing for it right?
“Tri Met should charge a fee for bicycles on Max. A bicycle takes up at least as much room as pedestrian and should be charged for the increased burden on the bandwidth.”
“Perhaps a better solution is to charge by attitude. Pleasant & polite riders would be charged the citizen’s rate. Impolite fussy riders whining about entitlements would be charged a higher rate.”
On that note, isn’t it obvious that they already charge for bikes, through the cost of fare to ride the bus or max?
Coyote,
It appears from your comment above that you may be the one with the bad attitude.
Advocating to charge extra for a bike, or even for a bad attitude, is even moire negative than my own post! ( And my post was pretty negative)
Maybe think about it a little next time?
So what is all the trouble really? By what I’ve been reading, the ZB’s may actually be a welcome site in the late hours of Sunday nights. Trust me. I’d feel a lot safer riding with them, then watching helplessly as a group (or even a single person) of the crazy eyed, pants crapping set marches on. And just wait when the return trip includes a stop near the Rose Quarter, where lo and behold on comes the homeless, trouble making teens, who let it be known who owns the hood. Next stop…outa here!
“6. Bicycles must be reasonably clean. The District may refuse service to bicycles that are excessively unclean or may require them to be de-boarded.”
This is ridiculous and discriminatory. A bike is likely to be its dirtiest during bad weather – exactly when a cyclist is most likely to choose to ride MAX. Are they going to do the same to pedestrians with dirty / muddy footwear? There are far more dirty feet walking onto and off MAX trains than dirty bikes. If Tri-Met is concerned about safety (i.e. slippery floors), this does not address the issue. If they’re concerned about cleanliness and appearance, they could do a lot better by cleaning up all the cigarette butts on the MAX platforms (and placing ashtrays there and educating smokers to use them)
I really can’t see any reason for freaking out over this.
Public transit is “pay to play”, and you have to play by their rules. Tri-Met doesn’t have any mandate to even allow ZooBombers on the train, so just be glad that they even allow you guys on there.
I don’t have anything against ZooBomb or Tri-Met, but please don’t forget the privilege that ZooBombers already have (and exercise regularly).
It is actually against the rules to smoke at a max stop, or bus stop.
Whether it is a city citation, or just a Tri Met citation I do not know.
But I can tell you they will not be putting out ashtrays to encourage something which is against the regulations…..
I once again make the call out to form a Tri Met watch dog group, as in community policing of Tri Met, and the enforcement of it’s questionable policies.
As supposed “public” transportation, they should be held liable for, and required to, have or let the public review such changes in policy before instating them.
Yet, we do not really have “public” transportation at all.
We have a transportation “monarchy”, a private corporation that is over spending our funds, on ludicrous and useless projects, such as the new destruction of downtown, instead of using existing track right of ways on the east side of the river……..
I know this sounds like a rant, and that is exactly what it is.
Tri Met is one of my biggest issues in Portland, and while dealing with them on a bicycle has been getting better, it is a long way from where it should be…
Alright. I’m coming to the ZB this Sunday! I keep saying I’m gonna do it, but I never do it. This Sunday, I’m doing it.
I’m going to politely decline Carl’s invitation to participate in THE BADASS CHALLENGE, only because I can’t understand why you’d want to ride a minibike when you could ride a “regular” bike. (Don’t hate on me, I just don’t get it. Maybe I will after the ZB.) But I will go to Mini-Bike Winter, not only because it looks like a good laugh, but also cause I really like the cute indie chicks.
I’ll also politely decline adam’s invitation to ride up the hill and then report back. Let’s just say that there would be a whole lotta reportin to do! And no, I aint sayin it’s easy.
Anyway, Praise Be To Allah that it’s not yet illegal to be droppin F-bombs in public.
dabby, do you ever write a post with a positive tone to it ever? i’m not trying to be an asshole but jesus christ, everything is an issue with you. i grew up here but moved away a few times in the last 10 years and it has given me tremendous perspective regarding how awesome we have it here in portland. likely you’ll tell me you’ve lived all over and that could be true. portland is no utopia but it beats the hell out of most places.
i’m not advocating complacency or apathy with/towards things in portland. when things need fixin’ you need to know they need fixin’ and be vocal about it. so i respect you and your posts in that aspect, but damn, lighten up (sorry if all this sounds very hippie-ish). you shit on everything.
excellent, AO – you will be welcomed! it is, of course, your choice! I rode a pile mine the first three times I “did it”. since then, I am a big bikerbomber mostly because it makes it easier to get to and fro without slumming on the buses. And, yes, it is much more exhilerating on a mini.
back on topic – I have looked at the TriMet site for an official posting of this witchhunt letter but I have not found it, anyone see it anywhere but this alledged copy to handsome, et al??
Dabby – I concur about the watchdog group. I know some people that would join. You have a good way of moving this forward? if so, count me in.
The compromise is to use a 20″; frowned upon by the elitist minibike purists, but large enough to easily ride to and from downtown, and small enough to easily fit in on the hill…
Thanks for answering my queries! What Tri-Met is doing does seem a bit odd.
JeffH, they are partially a public agency – as such, they are beholden to the wishes of the public. If they want to call the shots and deny me service, then they can stop taking my tax money.
Public transit is not a privilege, it’s a service. Privileges benefit a select group. Driving is a privilege, it only benefits those who pay for the license, submit to a photograph, pass the test, and are at least 16 years old. There are no age, identification or testing requirements to use public transit, you just pay to use the service.
Dabby – Well, if that’s the case, I agree that they won’t put out ashtrays. I still think it would have a greater impact on cleanliness if they cleaned up all the mess at the stations.
Once again folks, Tri Met IS NOT TRUE “PUBLIC” TRANSPORTATION!!!
There have been too many problems, for too many years, since, I believe, someone with the last name of Walsh was in charge…….
If this was true public transportation, we would certainly have some sort of say as to regulation changes, and behavioral problems.
We do not.
Tri Met does what they want.
We are hosed….
Metro should take over Tri Met, now..
We are NOT rude to other TriMet riders and certainly do not push people out of our way to get on the train. We are also self-policing and if someone is “dropping F-bombs” too much or otherwise being belligerant to other TriMet riders they will be told to stop it.
I do not think these rules are aimed at just us. I think they are also aimed at the downhill mountain bikers who use the train to (illegally) access the trails at Washington Park. The bikes also have “oversize wheels” or more accurately tires that won’t fit in the hooks to hang up your bike. They are often dirty, too.
My question is this: If a trailer is designed to carry children, is it then a stroller? Why not? What are the regulations for strollers? Some of them have 3 bicycle wheels!
Also the ruling against tandems is discriminatory. We have a “Blind Zoobomber” who rides on the back of a tandem, and I’m sure he rides elsewhere and requires access to the train, with his pilot and tandem bike.
Dabby, actually my post (#20) was carefully considered. During peak hours, Max passengers who bring bicycles are using at least twice the resources of a’la carte riders. It does not seem equitable. I pay an addtional $5.00 to carry my bike on Amtrak, and I really don’t mind paying for the additional services I receive.
Max riders with poor attitudes may use even more resources than riders with bikes. Nonetheless, I do appreciate your advice(#29), in the future I will leave the whinny negative posts to Others.
These rules are for all bikes on MAX? Does anyone really think they’ll be handing frumpy-looking, middle class me on my Breezer one of those 3 page rule sheets when I get on at Merlo heading back to the Eastside? Are they going to start busting the commuters who stuff 10+ bikes onto a car? Somehow, I doubt it. I’m in one of those tax brackets that subsidizes mass transit the most, and I think subsidizing bikes on MAX in general and Zoobomb bikes in particular one of the better uses of my tax money. How could Zoobombers possibly disrupt service more on a Sunday night than I can weekdays at 5? I’d really like to know what Fred Hansen is smoking…
I have heard several anecdotal stories of bike commuters being denied access to the MAX during peak hours by the operators because the train was ‘too full’.
That is becoming an issue, Burr. Ever since the great “blizzard” of 2007, the trains are getting more crowded. I have been denied bike access downtown due to “too full”. As I stated earlier, I think that Tri-Met should start removing seats and reconfigure the hook system. Create a “Bikes / Standing Room” section on the second car of each train during rush hours. (Low floor cars obviously)
Burr – that wouldn’t surprise me, but it may not be specifically aimed at cyclists. I’ve seen MAX trains refuse all passengers because they were “too full” – this was in 2001-2004 when I lived on the MAX line and used it daily to commute to work.
Well, for my money, I’m a bit pissed.
My trike fits freeking fine on the racks, with room for anaother bike next to it. The three wheels thing just makes it so now I can’t be on the train at all.
This eliminates the one place I can take my trike out of the core and not have to pedal all the way.
I don’t zoobomb; hell, I just heard of bombing when I got to Portland in the spring.
Recumbents — almost every ‘bent is over long for the max under this rule.
What I want to do is ride my broke ass down town, crutch it into this dudes office, and ask him why my best mode of transportation (and my assistive device) is now banned from the MAX.
It would be more fun to just ride the damn trike on in and let him actually see what he banned, but I’d probably get excluded.
I had the great pleasure of riding down from Washington Park with a pack of Zoobombers and other cyclists during a midnight mystery ride once. Contrary to the opinion that bombers are rude or entitled, they were the nicest bunch of people I’d met in a while, treated all of us newbies nicely, and were polite and respectful to everyone else on the MAX (driver included, who seemed genuinely excited to see us).
I don’t think the new rule sheet will affect Zoobombers one way or another, but I do find it curious that it was hand delivered from Tri-Met personally. The act has an air of Big Brother to it, and should be treated with appropriately raised eyebrows and a grain of salt.
However, I have to agree with Dabby that if Tri-Met is going to impose rules, they should be reasonable, and reasonably enforced. The smoking thing bugs the holy hell out of me, but I’ve *never* seen it enforced.
Furthermore, I think the idea of charging cyclists extra is ridiculous. Should we charge more for people with backpacks who refuse to move their crap off the only empty seat on a train? The same thing could also be said about strollers, but I’ve never seen a driver or a transit cop enforce the rules which require strollers to be folded.
I understand being tired and having a tired kid, and usually don’t care when parents opt out of stroller-folding, but it never ceases to amaze me how often I can’t find a place to sit or stand when some parent is yakking on their cellphone, and ignoring their wailing child in a grossly oversized stroller. Last I checked, the kids actually ride free and take up even more room than I do on the rare occasion I ride MAX. Can you imagine the PR nightmare, though, if we suggested they pay more?
Let’s call this what it is: making a problem where none exists. How’s about we all agree to disagree, then go outside and ride our bikes?
I want to know what “hand delivered” means — did the GM stamp his seal on a copy and say, “Take This to the Zoobombers, Minion, and Tell Them My Will”?
Or did someone in the office see the letter and think, “Hey, I know some guys who are going to get pissed off about this! Maybe I’ll take them a copy so I can watch their faces!”
It sort of makes a difference to the PR question, don’t you think?
In response to Sara, I do think that asking cyclists to get off the train first in times of overcrowding is reasonable — if you look at it from a public-service perspective. Cycles not only take up more space, but cyclists also have the ability to get home under their own power (which most TriMet riders do not).
From the cyclist’s perspective, of course, it is extremely unfair. The cyclist will be forced to (pedal home or) wait much longer than the other commuters who will be allowed on each train first until the rush subsides.
Perhaps an exception could be made for cyclists with flat tires — then again, you can always lock the bike up and become a pedestrian, kind of like Superman in disguise.
IMO, including the “yeild” thing is not insulting, nor is including the original “reasonably clean” clause.
(This has been part of the rules for years. My understanding when I first started riding on MAX was that the “clean” standard was to avoid other passengers getting muddy, or greasy chain-prints, just from brushing up against a bike. Supposed to reduce the likelihood of complaints. I’ve never been excluded for my bike being dirty, heck, I’ve cleaned my chain on an empty MAX and just gotten interested looks. But I digress.)
Publishing the entire set of rules all together is clearer and more sensible than separately publishing each new rule to respond to each complaint.
This way, there is one place that a person can look to find all the up-to-date rules. I personally get annoyed with the other style, which involves referring readers to “ORS section 52-c,” etc, every third paragraph.
I do think that restricting ridership to “standard” bicycles is a poor choice. Banning liquid-fueled vehicles makes sense from a safety perspective. And there do need to be some limits, or motorcycles and golf carts would also be theoretically eligible for a $2 ride across town. Wheelbarrows are apparently still allowed. (!)
I think the determination from a safety perspective should be whether your bike fits in the racks, and allows the aisles to be free and clear.
Trike may be unusual in using his bike for an assistive device. Then again, handcycles and other trikes are a common response to disabilities like parapalegia or loss of balance. I think I’ll write the GM and suggest that trikes be re-included as soon as possible, subject to “reasonable size.”
MAX is not the only way to get from anywhere to anywhere — it’s just the fastest, in some cases.
For those who will have difficulty traversing the West Hills, check out the Terwilliger Boulevard route. It takes you around most of the hills through a winding pass, and is a pleasant stretch of road. Of course, Highway 10 quickly becomes a rush-hour nightmare of broken glass and crowded commuters once you get _past_ the hills, but the hills are quite nice.
What is the story here ?
Are there any new rules from TriMet ?
Why ?
What ? the ? F ?
Absolutely zero value added here
in the “article”.