Lawernce Reuter
President, MTA New York City Transit
370 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Dear Mr. Reuter,

We commend New York City Transit for adroitly maintaining high levels of transit service and rapidly restoring stations over the last year. The continuation of NYC Transit's commonsense twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week bicycle access policy on the subway should also be applauded. The ease of movement between transit and cycling encourages people to take advantage of both transportation choices and reduces congestion on the city's streets.

Today, we write you to urge the Staten Island Railroad to adopt the same commonsense bicycle access policy used on NYC Transit's subway system. This policy is highlighted by simple and easy to follow rules, which should be used on the Staten Island Railway as well:

• Bicycles are allowed on subways 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
• Cyclists should avoid rush-hour crowds.
• Cyclists should enter and exit through station service gates.
• Cyclists should board train after passengers exit.
• Never block an aisle or door with your bicycle.
• Stand by your bicycle.
• Carry your bicycle on staircases.
• Courtesy + common sense = bicycle safety.

The Staten Island Railroad's current bicycle policy states that, "Transporting bicycles is permitted under limited circumstances. Please see your conductor or agent for details." This vague policy allows each conductor to make his or her own personal policy regarding bicycle access and removes all service guarantees from transit riders.

The unfortunate case of thirteen year-old Joseph DiMarco, of Annadale, Staten Island is telling. At shortly after 9pm on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 a Staten Island Railroad conductor denied Joseph and his friend and their bicycles access to a St. George-bound train at Richmond Valley. The boys were returning home from a little league game (to which they had taken their bikes on the SIR). At 9:55pm, a car struck Joseph from behind. Joseph was thrown off his bike; his helmet was knocked off. He suffered a fractured foot and cuts and bruises to his head and the rest of his body.

There is no good reason why these thirteen year-olds were denied SIR access on a Tuesday at 9pm. Your assistance in revising State Island Railroad's outdated and unpredictable bicycle policy is much appreciated.

Sincerely,
Noah Budnick, Transportation Alternatives
Neysa Pranger, NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign
Jon Orcutt, Tri-State Transportation Campaign