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Cyclist Paul Guariento prepares to board his bike at the Dearborn Amtrak Station (photo courtesy Amtrak)

Starting today, July 26, bicycles will be accepted aboard the Amtrak Wolverine Service (Trains 350-355), sponsored by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) with three daily round-trips between Pontiac and Chicago, via Detroit, Dearborn, Jackson and other stops.

There is a $10 charge in addition to the railfare. Bicyclists must make reservations to carry their bikes onto the trains and stow them at the direction of the Amtrak conductors.

With this additional service, some of the most popular destinations across Michigan and the Amtrak network are now connected with bike-friendly trains. Ride the rails and connect to the trails, such as the Rouge Gateway Trail in Dearborn, bicycle friendly streets in Ann Arbor and Royal Oak, the Falling Waters Trail and the MLK Inter-City Trail in Jackson, the Battle Creek Linear Pathway in Battle Creek, and the Kalamazoo River Trailway in Kalamazoo.

A dedicated area has been created on each train for bike storage

At a series of press events Wednesday, officials from MDOT, Michigan DNR and Amtrak welcomed bicycle organizations to try out the new service for the first time.  At stops in Dearborn, Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo, Amtrak conductors demonstrated the procedures for bringing bikes onboard with the help of local bicycle enthusiasts.

Bicyclists arriving in Chicago can choose from a variety of bike-friendly destinations, including the popular Lakefront Trail.  Bikes are welcome on Chicago Transit Authority bikes and rail lines.

In Detroit, cyclists can transfer at the Detroit Amtrak station to the bicycle friendly QLINE streetcar and ride it along Woodward Avenue to the heart of the city where the Riverfront, the Dequindre Cut, and Michigan’s Iron Belle trails are a short bike ride away.

There is an increasing number of recreational trails Michigan offers for bicyclists. Visit the MDOT road and trail biking website for detailed regional maps.

Now, all three of MDOT’s state-sponsored routes operated by Amtrak welcome bikes by reservations and with a nominal charge. More information is available at Amtrak.com/bikes, including the bicycle capacity on Amtrak Wolverine, Blue Water and Pere Marquette trains.

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