MARC Bike Car

Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) debuted a full-size Bike Car in December 2014 that was designed, fabricated and installed by the award-winning team at RailPlan International. The MARC Bike Car is the first in a pilot program by MTA Maryland, and enhances weekend train service for the active cycling community. RailPlan completed the one-of-a-kind Bike Car in just six short months.

It is the agency's plan to convert older, single-level fleet into bike cars with amenities such as easily accessible bike racks, luggage towers, beverage tables and special hand holds. Adding to the challenge and innovation of RailPlan’s design, MARC requested various combinations of these amenities be potentially converted back to all-passenger seating depending on the needs of the community, rendering its bike car completely adaptable.

RailPlan provided concept models, soft mock-ups and federally mandated safety calculations showing the added components would meet crash worthiness standards. After approval by MARC, all parts were fabricated at RailPlan’s plant in Baltimore, MD.

RailPlan's "MARC Bike Car" Press Release

Watch the MARC Bike Car in action

 

In partnership with MARC + MTA, this project was awarded the Washington Area Bicyclists Association's 2015 award for Best New Bike Infastructure.