Bringing your Bike

Bringing your personal bike with you puts more destinations within your reach and helps overcome final-destination challenges. You could also rent one of our MetroBikes! The League of American Bicyclists has recognized our efforts and rated CapMetro as a Gold-Level Bike Friendly Business.

Our bikes-on-the-bus rules are very simple:

  • If you ride a folded bike, fold it up and bring it with you on the bus. All other bikes go on exterior racks attached to the front of our Local and Rapid buses. Each rack can hold up to 3 bikes with 20" wheels or electric bikes under 55 pounds. When you arrive at your destination, let the operator know you will be removing a bike from the rack.
  • Express buses don't have bike racks, but we do have storage space for 2 bikes in the rear storage compartment. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask the bus operator to open the compartment for you.
  • Our Trip Planner lets you incorporate MetroBike into your trip, helping you connect to and from your transit stop more easily.

Parking your Bike
Maybe you only want to take your bike from home to the station? No problem. We offer free bike racks at most bus stops, stations and Park & Rides on a first-come, first-served basis. We also have secure, weather-proof bike storage at 7 stations.

Safety Tips 
Can humans, bikes and buses co-exist peacefully in an urban environment? Yes, if everyone follows these simple safety rules:

  • Approach the bus from the curbside.
  • Don't wait in the street with your bike.
  • Load and unload your bike directly in front of the bus or from the curb.
  • Make sure to let the operator know you need to unload your bike.
  • Use bike racks at your own risk. We aren't responsible for personal injury, property damage or loss resulting from the use of our racks.
  • Visit the League of American Bicyclists for smart cycling tips.

The more you know ...

  • No gas-powered bikes or mopeds are allowed on bike racks.
  • Carrying your electric bike battery on board is A-OK.
  • If you leave your bike on the bus, call Lost & Found at 512-389-7454.
  • Bikes left on a bus or at our facilities for 10 days are considered abandoned and will be donated to local nonprofits.

Our goal is to minimize hassle and maximize service. That's why we make room for you and your bike aboard our trains.

How it works 

Our stations have a designated crossing area that leads to the station platform. For safety reasons, please walk your bike onto the platform. When you hear your train announced, move to the area behind the white boarding line. As a courtesy, wait until all riders have cleared the doorway before getting on. Store your bike in one of our racks near the entrances or remain standing while holding your bike. On a full train, bikes may be limited to a total of 8 per compartment.

Stuff to know

  • Only standard-sized bikes (including electric and folding) are permitted on board.
  • No tricycles, tandems, bikes with training wheels, cargo bikes, recumbent or gas-powered bicycles or mopeds are allowed.
  • Your life is more important than your bike. So, in the event of an emergency evacuation, leave your bike in the rack.
  • You're responsible for your own bike and all actions, injuries, losses and/or damages resulting from having it on station platform areas and on trains. For safety tips when biking near rail tracks, visit Operation Lifesaver.

Loading on a Bus bike rack

  • Stand up as the bus approaches and remove any items that might fall off your bike, such as water bottles or child carrier seats.
  • Before stepping in front of the bus to load your bike, wave at the bus operator.
  • If the rack is full, wait until the next bus arrives.
  • Load your bike directly in front of the bus or from the curbside ― never from the street side!
  • If the rack is folded up, lower it by squeezing the handle and pulling it down.
  • Lift your bike into an available slot and place the tires into the wheel wells.
  • Pull the spring-loaded support arm out and over the front tire until it hugs the tire.
  • If possible, sit near the front of the bus where you can keep an eye on your bike.
Note: the bus operator can't assist with loading (except on some Express routes), but can help with oral instructions, if needed.

Loading on a Express vehicle or Rail train

Express vehicles do not have bike racks on the front of the bus. They do feature storage space for 2 bikes in the rear of the vehicle, however. Please ask the bus operator to open the storage compartment for you. MetroRail trains offer bike racks toward the front of the compartment. If they are unavailable, you may stand with your bike in the entryway of the train compartment.

Here's what we've done to address concerns raised by our riders:

  • Secure bike parking: We answered with 7 electronic card-accessed and enclosed Bike Shelters. You can find them at popular Rail stations and transit centers. Get a Bike Shelter Card to get started!
  • More connected trails: We're continually partnering with the city to develop trails to better connect cyclists and pedestrians to our facilities. To plan a comfortable bike ride, see the online Austin Bike Map, which displays available routes by reported comfort level.
  • Bikeshare program: CapMetro provides bikes and e-bikes in central Austin through the BCycle app so riders can complete their trip with the help of public transit.

Austin Bicycle Resources has links to almost everything about cycling you'd ever want to know for our city.

Please Note *CapMetro is not responsible for any damage to bicycles that occurs when using bike racks on our vehicles.