Bikes and Scooters on Trains

Back to What to Expect Onboard
Back to What to Expect Onboard

 

Bikes and scooters are permitted on all trains, either in the priority seating areas of ADA railcars or in spaces designated for bikes on railcars with a bike logo. Some trains also have designated bike cars. There is no charge to bring your bike on the train. E-bikes and e-scooters are allowed.

Bike and scooter spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, but customers with disabilities have priority in the ADA spaces. Customers with bicycles and scooters may be required to leave the train if ADA-accessible space is needed for boarding passengers with disabilities. Every effort will be made to accommodate customers elsewhere on the train before requiring that they leave.

Crews have the right to refuse bikes and scooters if all spaces are filled or if ADA seating is needed for customers with disabilities.

Bicycle warning dates: On certain weekends when higher-than-normal ridership is expected, such as the St. Patrick's Day holiday or Lollapalooza, Metra may issue "bicycle warnings" to cyclists that there may not be room for bicycles on the trains.

Customers can inform Metra they were denied boarding through the Contact Us form by selecting "Bicycle Denied Boarding."

Read below for more details about Metra's bicycle policy

Bike Storage Locations

Bikes can be stored in three potential locations:

On all trains, the priority seating area of each ADA-accessible railcar can be used to store bikes and scooters, as long as the space is not needed for customers with disabilities. Up to five bikes or scooters are allowed per accessible diesel railcar and two bikes are allowed per Metra Electric car, all of which are accessible. An ADA symbol on the outside of the railcars indicates accessibility. Bicycles must be secured to the lower rail of folding seats with long bungee cords or other devices supplied by the cyclist.

Bikes on Trains
Bikes on Electric Trains

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, Metra is installing new bike racks on some cars. The racks, which can hold two to four bikes and can also be used to store scooters, will initially be installed on about 50 cars, and those cars will be identified with an exterior bike logo and used on the trains that carry the most bikes. Bicycles must be secured to the new racks with a built-in strap or the cyclist’s own strap or lock.

bike rack
New bike rack

 

Finally, on some trains, Metra also offers special bike cars that have multiple racks. These cars can carry 16 bicycles instead of the usual five and give passengers a new more accessible option. Bike Cars have a blue and grey paint scheme, as well as a large white bicycle decal adjacent to the exterior doors.

Other rules

  • Bicycles and scooters must not exceed 80 inches long and 30 inches wide.
  • Bicycles must be kept clean and free of dirt and grease while aboard Metra trains and must not present a hazard to other customers.
  • Bicycles, scooters, and any connected equipment must be safely loaded and unloaded in a single trip without causing any hazard to the customer or others.
  • Individual customers with bicycles or scooters must be at least 16 years old. Customers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult to bring a bicycle or scooter.
  • Train crews are not required to assist with boarding bicycles or scooters, and the wheelchair lift may not be used to load or unload bicycles or scooters.
  • Gas-powered bicycles and scooters are prohibited.
  • Bicycles and scooters cannot block aisles or impede passenger movement. Customers must always stay in the vicinity of their bicycle or scooter.
  • ln case of evacuation, bicycles and scooters will be left on the train clear of aisles and doors.
  • Folding bicycles and folding scooters may be brought onto any train car and may accompany a person to a seat provided they are small enough to fit between the legs of a seated customer or can be stored under a seat.  Folding bicycles and folding scooters must be in the folded position prior to boarding and cannot block any other seats from use by other customers.

Click here to view and download the full bike policy.

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