Loading and Unloading Your Bike on Metro Buses

Bicycles may be loaded or unloaded at any bus stop at any time except in the Ride Free Area between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. During these hours, loading and unloading bikes is restricted to a route's first and last ride free stop and the tunnel stops at Convention Place and International District. This is a safety policy to reduce the potential of too many cyclists being between buses in heavy downtown traffic.

The weight limit for Metro's bus bike rack is 55 lbs. per loadable position. Bicycles with ELECTRIC motors MAY be loaded onto the bike racks. GAS-powered bikes are PROHIBITED and may NOT be loaded on the racks. Bicycles with non-spoked (also known as disk or solid) wheels are also prohibited on the racks because they block the bus headlights.

Metro's bike racks are easy to use and there is no additional fare for using them. See the steps below for loading and unloading your bike.

1. As the bus approaches, have your bike ready to load.
2. Talk to the driver before stepping in front of the bus with your bike. Make sure the driver acknowledges your desire to load.
3. Remove any bicycle accessories, including panniers, that prevent safe operation of the bus or may fall off when bus is moving.
4. Squeeze the rack handle and lower rack to release the folded bike rack.
5. Lift your bike onto the rack, fitting the wheels into the slots. Each slot is labeled for front and rear wheels. Load your bike into the outside slot if it is vacant.
6. Raise and release the support arm over the front tire. Make sure the support arm is resting on the tire or fender between the head tube and the front axle.
7. Be sure to sit near the front of the bus and keep an eye on your bike.

Unloading

1. Raise the support arm off the tire. Move the support arm down and out of your way.
2. Lift your bike out of the rack.
3. If there isn't another bike in the rack, return the bike rack to the folded position.

If you forget to retrieve your bike, or the driver pulls away before you've unloaded it, please call Bikestation Seattle at 206-903-8075.