Bike 'N Ride Guidelines

Policy

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) developed the Bike 'N Ride Program to provide safe integration of bicycling with Metrorail and Metrobus ridership. The Bike 'N Ride Program covers non-collapsible, conventional operational bicycles, as well as tandems, electric powered, and folding bicycles, which can be no longer than 80 inches, no higher than 48 inches, and no wider than 22 inches. A folding bicycle has a frame that folds and two wheels that come together.

This policy does not cover motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles, motor-powered bicycles (including but not limited to gasoline-powered bicycles) or any other bicycle that exceeds the size restrictions stated above, and such bicycles are prohibited within the Metrorail and/or Metrobus system. Metro reserves the right to amend or terminate this policy at any time to ensure the safe and/or efficient use of Metrorail and/or Metrobus.

Hours Bicycles Are Permitted

Metro allows non-collapsible, conventional operational bicycles, as well as tandems, electric powered, and "opened" folding bicycles that meet the size restrictions inside railcars from Monday through Friday at any time except 7-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m., all day on Saturday and Sunday, and all day on the following holidays: Martin Luther King's Birthday observed, Washington's Birthday observed, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day observed, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. These bicycles shall not be allowed inside railcars on July 4th.

Folding bicycles and non-collapsible bicycles of all types that are folded or disassembled and enclosed in carrying bags, cases or boxes are deemed "luggage" items and are permitted inside railcars at all times. The carrying bags or cases must be made of a sturdy material such as canvas, nylon or leather-type materials.

Bicycles that are covered by this policy shall be allowed on the exterior of buses at all times, but only in Metro-installed bicycle racks. Bicycles, excluding properly enclosed folded or disassembled bicycles, shall not be transported inside Metrobuses at any time. Cyclists shall remove all baggage, backpacks, pouches, baskets or similar storage items from bicycles before placing bicycles in the bicycle racks on the exterior of buses. All bicycles allowed inside railcars and on the exterior of buses must be clean, free of excess grease and dirt, and not have sharp projections.

At all times, Metro Station Managers or Metro Transit Police may exercise discretion to temporarily deny cyclists access to station mezzanines and platforms during periods of passenger congestion until the congestion is cleared.

Age Limits

Anyone under the age of 16 bringing a bicycle into the Metrorail system must be accompanied by an adult (someone over the age of 18). An adult may accompany only one child with a bicycle at a time.

Liability

Cyclists are responsible for their own bicycles and all actions, injuries, losses and/or damages related to their bicycles in station areas, aboard trains or on Metrobuses.

Loss of Privileges

Cyclists are required to observe the Guidelines of the program. Cyclists failing to abide by the Guidelines shall be subject to local fines and/or arrest by Metro. Additionally, the public conduct ordinances of the respective local jurisdictions provide for the possibility of fines and/or arrest and prosecution for violation of those ordinances.

Transporting Bicycles in the Metrorail System

Moving Bicycles Within a Metrorail Station

Cyclists shall be required to use elevators to access mezzanines and platforms. Escalators and stairs shall not be used except when special requests (for emergency reasons) have been granted by Metro Station Managers, Metro Transit Police or city/county police or fire officials. Cyclists shall allow other passengers to exit before placing bicycles in or taking bicycles out of the elevators. When it appears that a bicycle will cause an inconvenience or possible injury to other passengers, cyclists shall wait for the next elevator. At all times in the Metrorail system, both wheels of any bicycle must be placed on the ground/floor and cyclists shall not use Metro property such as, but not limited, to poles, seats, and doors to support their bicycles.

Payment of Fare

Cyclists are required to pay the established fare each time they ride Metrorail. At the Metrorail station mezzanine, cyclists shall:

take their bicycles to the extra-wide fare gate,
process their fare cards, and
walk through that fare gate with their bicycles.

When leaving the Metrorail system station, cyclists shall:

exit through the extra-wide fare gate,
process their fare cards, and
walk through the extra-wide fare gate.

At stations where elevators bypass the mezzanine, cyclists shall process their fare cards in the special fare card processor located on the platform outside the elevator.

Boarding Trains

On weekdays, no more than two bicycles (one at each end) shall be allowed in any railcar of a train. Bicycles shall only be transported through the end doors of a railcar, and shall not be transported through the middle set of "emergency" doors on the railcar, nor shall they be transported between railcars via the end sets of doors.

On weekends and most holidays, no more than four bicycles (two at each end) shall be allowed in any railcar of a train, at the front and rear doors only, never the center doors. Cyclists must wait until all exiting and entering passengers have cleared the doorway before moving their bicycles into the railcar.

Aboard the train, whether standing or sitting, cyclists must hold their bicycles firmly at all times, kickstands up, and not allow bicycles to lean against patrons or any part of the Metro train (including but not limited to poles, seats or doors) nor to block any seats.

Bike Control

Cyclists shall not leave their bicycles unattended at any time, except when seeking assistance from Metro Station Managers or Metro Transit Police. Cyclists shall be responsible / liable for injuries to self or other passengers, as well as for damage to the bicycle or railcar, caused by their bicycles.

Cyclists are strictly prohibited from riding bicycles inside Metro stations or station areas, including but not limited to station platforms, mezzanines, corridors or any covered area. This prohibition does not include parking lots or other areas intended for vehicular traffic.

Waiting for Trains

Cyclists shall wait for trains as far away from the granite edge of the platform as possible and not allow their bicycles to interfere with passengers on the platform when boarding or leaving trains.

Emergency Situations on Metrobus & Metrorail

In case of emergency evacuation of a Metro train, and/or upon direction of a Metro Train Operator, Metro Station Manager, Metro Transit Police or city/county police or fire officials, bicycles shall be placed on top of the seats and left on the trains. During the emergency evacuation of a Metrobus, bicycles shall be left in the bike rack unless the removal of bicycles is directed by the Metrobus Operator, Metro Transit Police or city/county police or fire officials. Metro assumes no responsibility for lost or damaged bicycles.

Additional Information

In addition to these guidelines, cyclists must abide by the instructions and directives of Metrorail Station Managers, Metro Train Operators, Metrobus Operators, Metro Transit Police or city/county police and fire officials.