WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on August 30 renewed her call for Amtrak to include bicycle racks in its plans to modernize the rolling stock used in train services between New York City and Buffalo.

Gillibrand said the inclusion of bicycle racks would provide ease of access for those wishing to bike to tourist destinations throughout New York State, providing more streamlined travel for active tourism along New York’s Erie Canalway Trail and creating the opportunity to generate revenue from these tourists.

Gillibrand first urged Amtrak to make this change last year. In her letter to Amtrak President and CEO Joseph H. Boardman, Senator Gillibrand urged that train service include bicycle racks for customers throughout New York State.

“New York State is blessed with vast natural beauty. This is just a common sense step to remove barriers so more New Yorkers can get out and enjoy it,” Gillibrand said. “When we allow more cyclists to take advantage of the hundreds of miles of Amtrak rail lines right along so much of the Erie Canalway Trail, we can unlock access to recreation, and jumpstart a new economic engine by boosting tourism revenue.”