BART Kicks Off New Bike Program.

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 30, 1998--BART today kicked off its new "Bike Friendly" policy program in a ceremony at the Lake Merritt BART station.

The new bicycle policies go into effect on July 1. BART Board President James Fang and Director Tom Radulovich, who represent San Francisco, Directors Pete Snyder of Dublin and Roy Nakadagawa of Berkeley, BART Deputy General Manager, Dorothy Dugger, Alex Zukermann, Regional Bicycle Advisory Committee (REBAC), Leo DeBose and Robert Raburn, who represent the East Bay Bicycle Coalition, were on hand to explain the new policies and to answer questions.

"BART and members of the bicycle coalitions have been working together for more than a year to improve bicyclists' access to BART," said Fang.

In October 1996, the BART Board modified the existing bicycle rules to eliminate bicycle permits and allow people with bikes to board the rear of every car on the train, with the exception of the first car.

After review of present bicycle policies, it was recommended that the peak period for taking bikes on BART be shortened from the existing two and one-half hours to approximately one and one-half hours in the a.m., and from three hours to two in the p.m.

For more information about the new Bikes on BART policy, pick up a copy of the new "Bikes on BART Rules" and BART's brochure "All About BART" located at all BART stations.

BART's New Bicycle Rules -0-

--   Bikes are not permitted on certain trains during commute hours,
     as shown in highlighted areas of the BART schedules published in
     the All About BART brochure. Bicyclists are responsible for
     following the schedule.

--   Notwithstanding any other provision, bikes are never allowed on
     crowded cars. Bicyclists should use good judgment and only board
     cars that can comfortably accommodate them and their bikes.

--   Bikes are not allowed in the first car of a train and are only
     allowed in the rear of other cars.

--   Gas powered vehicles are never permitted.

--   Bicyclists must do the following: use the elevator or stairs --
     not escalators -- walk bikes; yield priority seating to seniors
     and people with disabilities; yield to other passengers; hold
     bikes while on the trains and not block aisles or doors or soil
     seats.

--   In the case of an evacuation, bikes must be left on the train and
     must not block aisles or doors.

--   Bicyclists under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

--   At BART stations, bikes must be parked in racks and lockers. Call
     510/464-7133 for locker availability. Bikes parked against poles,
     fences or railings will be removed.

--   During morning commute hours (as highlighted in the All About
     BART brochure) bikes are allowed in the Embarcadero Station only
     for trips to the East Bay.

--   During evening commute hours (as highlighted in the All About
     BART brochure) bicyclists traveling from the East Bay must exit
     at the Embarcadero Station.

--   During morning and evening commute hours (as highlighted in the
     All About BART brochure) bikes are not allowed in the 12th and
     19th Street stations in Oakland.

--   Folded bikes are allowed on the trains at all times. During
     commute hours folding bikes must be folded before entering the
     paid area at the Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell and Civic Center
     stations in San Francisco and the 12th and 19th Street stations
     in Oakland. At all other stations, they may be folded on the
     platform, but must be folded before boarding a train.

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Violation of the above rules subject to citation under CA Vehicle Code Sec. 21113 and Sec. 42001.

    CONTACT:  BART
               Vicki L. Wills, 510/464-7115