Amtrak

[Dionigi]

My wife and I thought of taking our bikes on the Amtrak West Coast lines but discovered it is virtually impossible with electric bikes, at least for our bikes. The restrictions include a maximum weight of 50 pounds and a maximum tire width of 2”. What a shame it would have been quite the trip with stops in Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, etc.

 

[ebikemom]

Is there someone to whom you can write to at Amtrak? I think regulations will change with time, but maybe if prospective travellers share their concerns, the bulk of complaints received might hasten change?

 

[Dionigi]

I spoke to an Amtrak agent but she only could repeat the written guidelines. I agree a write in to Amtrak is needed, let me see if I can find the proper contact.

 

[ebikemom]

Once you find it, would you let us know here? I've heard this before, so we can start a thread asking those who would like to travel by Amtrak with their ebikes but cannot, to also write to Amtrak sharing their experiences.

 

[Dionigi]

Sorry for being redundant a thread already was started on Amtrak Mrs Coffee posted a good video. It seems there is no one who would check the weight or wheel size.

 

[Trail Cruiser]

Just separate your battery and put it somewhere else (in your back pack).

 

[dblhelix]

Just separate your battery and put it somewhere else (in your back pack).

Bike battery is 5.7lb. Not enough to get the RMs below 50lb, generally speaking.

Most of the stations with baggage service still have the bike boxes. I was considering taking Amtrak from DC to the West Coast to start a tour West to East. The Charger, and I suspect other models, is too long for an Amtrak box. I’ve used Amtrak boxes in the past for my regular bikes and find them generously sized. It’s just that the RMs are big ... usually the first comment I get about the bike on the street.

On trains with a dedicated bike car, after passing the bike along, you have to run to your coach seating. On the Capitol Limited, the cars were on opposite ends.

Then, the tires. I considered letting the air out or to putting a cheap 2”-er on the fron where the hook goes.

In the end, I decided to just leave home by bike and hope the “we’re working on it” in reference to these limitations pans out.

 

[Dionigi]

The Nevo GX weight 62.4 and the battery 6.2 which makes the bike 56+ which seems close enough. The tires are 2.4 and on my wife’s bike 2.125. Looking at the mentioned video, the Amtrak tire tie downs should work. But @dblhelix is correct the R&M bikes are bulky and adding to this there is no cross bars on TheNevo for the Amtrak straps.