#USA #Amtrak Pacific Surfliner #Southern California #Los Angeles, San Diego #Brompton Bicycle

Amtrak and Brompton Team Up for Sustainable Travel

In an innovative collaboration, the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner®, along with Brompton Bicycle, successfully facilitated a car-free journey for over 75 cyclists traveling from Los Angeles to San Diego. This event, which took place on October 24, showcased the potential of folding bicycles in enhancing the convenience and accessibility of train travel, particularly for those wishing to explore the stunning landscape of Southern California without relying on cars.

Cyclists boarded the Pacific Surfliner, experiencing the ease that compact folding bikes provide. Unlike standard bicycles that require reservations and compete for limited space in bike racks, folding bikes can be taken on board as hand luggage without prior booking, thereby offering greater flexibility in train travel. This event gathered nearly 100 cyclists, demonstrating a community spirit and the logistical capability of coordinating a large group traveling together, something which would be challenging with traditional bikes.

Jason Jewell, the General Manager of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service, emphasized the importance of seamless connections at both the beginning and end of a train journey. He stated, “Great rail travel doesn’t start or end at the station. Making it easier for passengers to connect with their ultimate destinations is a critical part of improving the overall travel experience.”

The event highlighted how foldable bicycles can complement passenger train services, granting travelers more freedom and comfort to explore new areas without the limitations of a car. After a scenic train ride, cyclists arrived in San Diego where they unfolded their bikes and ventured out to discover popular attractions, like Balboa Park, Little Italy, the Gaslamp Quarter, and the Embarcadero. Some even continued their car-free adventures by taking a ferry to Coronado Island.

Alex Balansay, Brand Manager for Brompton Bicycle - North America, noted that their decision to partner with the Pacific Surfliner was a no-brainer due to the strong biking community in California. “Southern California has much to offer, and bringing our cyclists together for a journey from Los Angeles to San Diego is a fantastic way to celebrate this community while showcasing the potential to combine cycling with train travel.”

The folding bicycle phenomenon serves as an excellent solution for commuters, day-trippers, or weekend adventurers looking to combine the comfort of intercity train travel with the flexibility of biking at their final destination. The success of the October 24 event underscores the need for integrating transportation methods that empower passengers to traverse Southern California’s main cities by train, while simultaneously exploring local neighborhoods and attractions by bike.

For anyone interested in traveling with bicycles on the Pacific Surfliner, detailed information is available at PacificSurfliner.com, where travelers can plan their journeys accordingly. Additionally, interested cyclists can find the variety of Brompton models and local dealers at brompton.com.

About the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

The Pacific Surfliner operates a scenic coastal rail route covering 351 miles across San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 29 stations along the way. It holds the title of the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail line in the United States. For further details and to plan a trip, visit PacificSurfliner.com.

About the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency

The Los Angeles - San Diego - San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is a Joint Powers Authority that oversees the management of the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service. Composed of owners, operators, and planning agencies along the 351-mile corridor, the agency works to enhance ridership, revenue, on-time performance, operational flexibility, and safety within passenger rail transport throughout its service area. The Orange County Transportation Authority provides administrative support to the LOSSAN Agency and its board. More information can be found at LOSSAN.org.

About Brompton Bicycle

Brompton has been designing and handcrafting folding bicycles in London for over 50 years. Created to revolutionize urban mobility, all Brompton bikes are built around the signature three-part fold, allowing cyclists to take them wherever they go. Currently, Brompton offers a range that includes the classic C Line, the lightweight P Line, the titanium T Line, and the G Line, along with models powered by Brompton's e-Motiq system. With more than a million Brompton bicycles on roads worldwide, the company manufactures approximately 100,000 bikes each year in the UK, with over 70% exported internationally.