Bikes on MTA subways, buses, and railroads

Biking in New York

One of the best ways to get around the city is by bike. You can take advantage of dedicated bike lanes, greenways, and bike-friendly parks. Using our transit system with your bike expands your options.

General guidelines

You can take a bike on the subway. There are some caveats (see below), but in general, you can bring your bike with you on the train.
You can't take your bike on a bus. Some routes have buses with bike racks, but don’t plan on transporting your bike via bus.
Folding bikes can go almost anywhere. They're not allowed on express buses, but otherwise you can bring them on board. If you do bring your folding bike, it needs to be folded.

You can't ride your bike across some MTA bridges or through MTA tunnels. If the bridge has a pedestrian walkway, you can walk your bike across.
Don’t lock your bike to MTA property. This includes subway entrances and exits. Look for a bike rack instead.
The railroads have different rules. Only a certain number of bikes are allowed per train, depending on the time. Read the LIRR and Metro-North bike regulations.
There are different rules for personal electric vehicles (PEVs). Read our PEV policy for details on bringing e-bikes or e-scooters on trains and buses.

A woman carrying a green folding bike, currently folded up, approaches a bus at a bus stop.

A woman rolls a green folding bike through a subway turnstile. The bike is folded up and fits underneath the turnstile.

Other guidance by type of transit

In general

Stay by your bike or micromobility device and move it out of the way for other riders.
You can't ride your bike or micromobility device in stations.
Don't lock your bike or micromobility device on board or at any MTA facility.
You're not allowed to charge an e-bike or micromobility device in any MTA facility.
Gasoline-powered vehicles aren't allowed on board or in MTA facilities.

On local, SBS, and express buses

Full-size bikes are not allowed inside buses, but you can bring a folding bike on local and SBS buses. Folding bikes must be folded.
All bikes and micromobility devices are not allowed on express buses.
Tuck your folding bike or scooter under the seat and out of the way of other passengers. Don’t block seats or aisles.
Buses on these routes have bike racks:
- Bx23, in the Bronx
- M35 and M60-SBS, in Manhattan
- Q44-SBS and Q50, in Queens
- S53, S79-SBS, and S93, in Staten Island

On the subway

Avoid rush hour if you can.
Enter and exit through the station service gate. Swipe your MetroCard or use OMNY, turn the turnstile, and then use the service gate. If you need help, talk to a station agent.
Don't lift your bike over the turnstile.
Try to enter the first or last set of doors on a given subway car and stand with your bike or scooter near either end of the subway car.
Carry your bike or scooter between yourself and the stairway wall when entering or exiting a station.
If your device folds, tuck it under the seat or hold it out of the way of other passengers. Don’t block seats or aisles.
Bikes are allowed on the Staten Island Railway at all times except:
- 6-9 a.m. on weekdays, on St. George-bound trains.
- 4-7 p.m. on weekdays, on Tottenville-bound trains.

On commuter rail

Bikes are not allowed at certain times or on holidays.
On weekdays, up to four bikes per train are allowed. On weekends, up to eight bikes per train are allowed.
Look for bicycle trains on weekends. These accommodate more than eight bikes. These trains are indicated on published timetables with a bicycle symbol and a plus sign.
Contact LIRR Group Travel at 718-217-5477 if you’re traveling with a group of cyclists on the LIRR. For groups of cyclists on Metro-North, contact 511 and ask for Metro-North Group Travel.

Read more in our regulations for taking bikes on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad.

Taking your bike on the subway

A woman with a bicycle talks with the agent at a subway station booth. She's gesturing toward the turnstiles to her left.

Let the station agent know you’re taking your bike through the service gate.

A woman uses a smart watch to pay the fare with an OMNY contactless reader at a subway turnstile.

Pay the fare at the subway turnstile.

A woman wheels a bike goes through the service gate near subway turnstiles.

Proceed through the service gate.

A woman stands with her bike at the end of a subway car. She's holding onto one of the stanchion poles. Subway seats are visible to her left.

On the train, stand with your bike at the end of the car. Be considerate and move your bike to make way for others when you can.

Using the bike rack on a bus

A person in a bike helmet walking their bicycle up to a bus with a bike rack

While standing on the curb with your bike, make eye contact with the bus operator to show your intention to use the bike rack. Pull the bike rack handle up to release the bike rack and lay it down flat.

A person in a bike helmet lifting their bicycle onto the bike rack of a bus

Lift your bicycle into the bike rack slot closest to the driver. Or, if there is already a bike on the rack, lift it into the available slot.

A person in a bike helmet securing their bicycle to a bus's bike rack

Pull the support arm out completely, then over the front tire, and then secure it as close to the bike’s fork as you can. Ensure that the bike is supported and stable, and then proceed to the bus entrance for your trip.

Rules and regulations

Bike regulations for the LIRR

Bike regulations for Metro-North

Personal electric vehicle (PEV) policy

Safety tips and laws

For you (and others)

Obey all traffic signals.
Yield to pedestrians.
Stay off the sidewalk (unless you're walking your bike).
Helmets are recommended for everyone. They’re required for anyone who is 13 years old or younger.
Don’t wear headphones. (One earbud is allowed.)
Bike and car traffic patterns vary depending on where you are. NYC’s Department of Transportation breaks these down in detail.

See DOT’s bike guide.

For your bike

NYC law requires you to use a white headlight and a red taillight at night.
Use a bell (not a whistle) to let others know you’re there.
Use a U-lock and/or a heavy chain to lock up your bike. (More locks help prevent theft.) Lock your frame to the bike rack and your wheels to your frame. Secure any quick-release parts, or take them with you.

Bike parking options

In many cases, somewhere in your office building.

If you work in a commercial office building with a freight elevator, the “Bikes in Buildings” law can help you and your employer figure out indoor bike storage.

Parking garages

New York City law requires garages that accommodate more than 100 vehicles to also provide parking options for bicycles.

Bike lockers

Bike lockers are available at these Metro-North stations:

Cortlandt
Dover Plains
Patterson
Tenmile River
Wassaic
Pawling

LIRR bike lockers are managed by 511NY Rideshare.

See a list of bike lockers at LIRR stations.

Bike parking laws and information

“Bikes in Buildings” law

Details about bikes in parking garages

NYC DOT’s information about bike parking

A man selects a blue Citi Bike from a bike-share station near a subway stop.

The city's bike share program, Citi Bike, is a good option for quick trips within the city (if you're within range of Citi Bike docks).

Citi Bikes are available in parts of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

Visit Citi Bike’s site for more.

What to do if your bike is missing

Call the Lost Property Unit

Bicycles chained to MTA New York City Transit property will be removed and delivered to the Lost Property Unit.

You can reach that office at 212-712-4500.

File a police report

You can file a police report with the NYPD if your bike is stolen. You can also participate in the NYPD’s Bicycle Registration Program, intended to discourage theft and help reunite bikes with their owners.

See more from the NYPD.