CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: September 14, 2011

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) demonstrated new bicycle rack prototypes on the new M-8 rails cars on Thursday (September 15, 2011) at Union Station in New Haven. Bicycle advocates have been invited and are encouraged to bring their bikes to the event and try out the vertical racks for themselves.

“Adding bike racks on these new cars makes sense for a lot of commuters,” said DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. “We are committed to making the New Haven Line as bike friendly as possible. Not only will there be bike racks on board, but virtually every one of our stations has a bike rack for those who ride to the station and then get on board.”

Two bike rack designs will be demonstrated at Thursday’s event and advocates will be encouraged to state their preference, Redeker said, adding, “Our plan is to have the bicycle rack equipped cars assigned to specific New Haven Line trains on both weekdays and weekends throughout the fall in order to gain in-service feedback from actual users of these racks.”

Commuters are able to state their preference here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MTA-bike

Thursday’s event will begin at 11 a.m. on Track 4 at Union Station and continue through 1 p.m. Another demonstration will be held Friday (September 16, 2011) at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, also between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.