South Shore to allow bikes on trains all year — and on all trains out of South Bend

One of the lesser-noticed details of the South Shore Line’s new schedule, thanks to the recent double-track project, is that bikes will be able to board trains all year long. So it’s no longer restricted to the usual April-to-October season.

Also, you can take the bike on board any train as long as the train station has a bike-accessible platform. So it’s no longer for just certain trains.

April 20, 2024: South Shore Line schedule starting May 14 offers faster, more frequent trips to Chicago

All of this starts with a new train schedule debuting May 14. This includes some of the express, limited-stop trains that, for example, will take just 109 minutes to ride from the South Bend International Airport to Chicago. The new schedule also boasts 14 extra weekday rides.

Keep in mind that the South Shore has added more bike-accessible platforms where you can roll your bicycle straight onboard. They include stations in Michigan City, Portage/Ogden Dunes and Miller.

And don’t forget that the bike-accessible stations include Dune Park, where a paved bike trail leads to both the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and to the Indiana Dunes State Park (admission to the park is cheaper if you’re on a bike, just $2, and it beats the huge car lines on warm summer beach weekends).

Find columnist Joseph Dits on Facebook at SBTOutdoorAdventures or 574-235-6158 or jdits@sbtinfo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Shore trains allow bikes all year long and more schedule options