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We love a good car-free Southern California adventure, and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner just demonstrated one at scale. On Saturday, October 24, the Pacific Surfliner, in partnership with folding bicycle manufacturer Brompton Bicycle, welcomed more than 75 cyclists aboard a train from Los Angeles to San Diego — no cars, no bike racks, no fuss.
The point of the ride was a practical one. Unlike standard bicycles, which require advance reservations and compete for limited onboard bicycle rack space, qualifying folding bicycles can be brought aboard Pacific Surfliner trains free as carry-on luggage, with no reservation required. That gives travelers far more flexibility when exploring Southern California by train — ride to San Diego, unfold, and explore, all without worrying about a car or a rack reservation.
“A great rail journey doesn’t begin or end at the train station,” said Jason Jewell, Managing Director of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service. “Making it easier for passengers to connect to their final destinations is an important part of improving the overall travel experience. This event highlights how folding bikes and passenger rail can work together to give travelers more flexibility, convenience and freedom to explore Southern California without relying on a car. We’re excited to showcase how simple first- and last-mile connections can open up new possibilities for our riders.”
The group ride brought together nearly 75 cyclists to demonstrate the benefit at scale, rolling from Los Angeles to San Diego and gathering along the San Diego waterfront after the journey. It is a neat proof of concept for anyone who has ever wanted to do a SoCal coastal trip without driving: the train handles the long haul, and the folding bike handles everything after the station.
“Brompton already has a strong community of riders throughout California, so partnering with Pacific Surfliner was a natural fit,” said Alex Balansay, Brand Manager at Brompton Bicycle – North America. “Southern California has so much to offer, and bringing our riders together for a journey from Los Angeles to San Diego is a great way to celebrate that community while introducing more people to the possibilities of combining cycling and train travel.”
Passengers can learn more about traveling with bicycles and plan their next trip at PacificSurfliner.com, and view Brompton models and dealers at brompton.com.
