Bicyclists on Metrobus
Cyclists can now transport their bikes aboard Metrobus in quality, heavy-duty racks attached to the front of each bus.
Up to two bikes can be stored in each rack, which cyclists can easily load and unload themselves, following the simple instructions affixed to the racks. The racks also have a locking mechanism to prevent bikes from coming loose. And, for safety, buses have special mirrors that allow bus operators to see the bike racks and customers loading bikes.
The Bike-'N-Ride on Metrobus program complements Metro's long-standing Bike-'N-Ride on Metrorail program, which allows bicycle riders to bring their bikes on Metrorail cars as long as they enter the rail cars from the end set of doors on a railcar and do so weekdays during off peak hours or anytime during the weekends. Certain holidays also are designated as days that bicycles are prohibited on Metrorail.
The addition of the bike racks will enable customers to combine bike, bus, and rail trips and more easily explore the Washington metro area. There is no fee for a customer to bring his or her bike on a bus or a rail car.
The cost of the program is being paid by Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia through Congestion, Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Funds. Increased use of bicycles reduces the amount of emissions in the air, which is a goal that CMAQ Funds cover.
"We hope that the addition of bicycle racks will open doors to places for area residents to ride their bikes when in the past they may not have ventured to a particular area," said Jack Requa, Metro's Chief Operating Officer for Metrobus. "These bicycle racks are user-friendly, and I expect that once they are installed, we'll see enthusiasts hopping on board with their bicycles to expand their horizons."
Many transit systems already have had the same type of bike racks on their buses for several years including Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, and Montgomery County's Ride-On buses. These other transit agencies report that loading and unloading of bikes from the racks does not cause delays to bus schedules.
How to use the bicycle rack
- Remove any loose or valuable items from the bicycle before the bus arrives.
- Make sure the bus has stopped and the driver sees you before you step in front of the bus.
- Squeeze the top handle and swing the rack down. You only need to use one hand to unlatch and pull the bike rack down, so you can hold your bike with your other hand. It is not necessary to lean your bike against the bus.
- Lift your bicycle onto the rack, placing its wheels in the trough with the front wheel toward the spring-loaded bar. If a bicycle is already in the front trough, load yours in the rear trough facing the opposite direction.
- Raise the spring-loaded bar up and over the front tire and place it on the top of the tire near the bicycle’s frame. The support arm adds lateral support for the bike when the bus is in motion, and is required. The support arm needs to be raised so that the hook rests at the highest point on the front wheel.
- Board the bus.
- As you near your stop, remind the driver that you will be removing your bicycle.
- Lower the spring-loaded bar from the tire and lift your bicycle off the rack.
- Swing the rack up if it’s empty.
- Go to the nearest curb. Wave to let the driver know you and your bicycle are clear of the bus.
