Loading your bike on a bus
What to load
Metro's easy-to-use bike racks are available first come, first served, and there is no additional fare for using them.
Types of bikes:
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Allowed
Conventional, single seat, two-wheeled bikes. Both wheels must fit into bike rack wheel slots, and the support arm/hook must fit over the top of the bike wheel. Folding bikes are welcome inside the bus, provided they fit underneath the seat and can be kept out of the aisle. Bikes with wheel sizes 16-29 inches in diameter, up to a 46-inch wheelbase, and with tire widths up to 3 inches will fit on the racks.
Bikes that do not exceed the bus bike rack weight limit of 55 pounds per loadable position.
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Not allowed
Metro does not permit conventional bikes inside buses for safety reasons. Tandem, recumbent, three-wheeled, solid-wheeled, and gas-powered bikes cannot be accommodated.
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Where to load
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Cyclists may load or unload a bicycle on any in-service bus at any bus stop during all hours of the day.
Cyclists may also load or unload at any Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel station during all hours the tunnel is open.
How to load
 Watch the Loading your bike on Metro buses video. Also see Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Metro's three-position bike racks, as well as loading tips when in the tunnel.
Practice racks: To practice loading your bike, refer to FAQ. A demonstration rack is available in downtown Seattle, West Seattle, and most recently, the U-District.
- As the bus approaches, have your bike ready to load from the curb side of the bus.
- Alert the driver before stepping in front of the bus with your bike. Make sure the driver acknowledges your desire to load.
- Remove any bicycle accessories, including panniers, that could fall off and prevent safe operation of the bus.
- Squeeze the rack handle upwards to release the folded bike rack.
- Lift your bike onto the tray, fitting the wheels into the slots. Each rack is labeled for front wheel placement.
Please load your bike into the outside slot first, if vacant.
- Push in the black knob at the end of the support arm. Pull the support arm all the way out and over the top of the front wheel. The support arm needs to be as close as possible to the bicycle's frame.
- If there is already a bike in the outside slot, there is a special way to load the middle slot. Do NOT stand in the traffic lane next to the bus.
a. Start at the centerline of
the bus.
 b. Turn bike at a 90º angle to
rack (parallel with curb), with
rear wheel closest to the bus.
 c. Lift rear wheel into the
middle slot of the rack.
- The third bike can be loaded from the curb side.
How to unload
- Raise the support arm off the tire. Move the support arm down and out of your way.
- Lift your bike out of the rack.
- If there isn't another bike in the rack, return the bike rack to the folded position. Reach underneath the rack to grab the handle. Squeeze and raise.
If the driver pulls away before you've unloaded your bike or you forget it, see lost and found instructions or call the Metro Lost Bike program at 206-903-8075.
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