Community Transit

Bikes on Buses

Bicycles are a cheap and effective way to get around. Most trips people make by car are less than 5 miles. It takes only 30 minutes biking at an easy pace to go that far.

Bikes are a great way to get to or from a bus stop or to meet a carpool or vanpool. Every bus and train in the Puget Sound region is equipped with a bike rack. Vanpools can be equipped with racks on request.

If you only need a bike for part of your trip, many area park & rides have bike racks or lockers for safe, dry storage. Most buses have racks on the front of the vehicle. On Swift bus rapid transit, racks for three bikes are inside the back door of the bus. Simple instructions for use are printed on the bike racks.

Bikes travel free on public transportation, though on a first come, first served basis.

Snohomish County has two major bike-pedestrian trails: the Interurban Trail from Everett to Edmonds to north Seattle and the Centennial Trail from Snohomish to Arlington to Skagit County. Click here for maps.

Bike Racks

Every Community Transit bus is equipped with a bike rack. Bike racks for two bicycles are on the front of most buses; on Swift bus rapid transit, racks for three bikes are inside the bus. Click here for Swift bike loading information. Simple instructions for use are printed on the bike racks. The bus bike racks are available on a first come, first served basis. If the bike rack is full, the coach operator may allow you to bring your bike on board the bus. However, safety and room for passengers always take priority over bicycles.

It is your responsibility to load and unload your bicycle. The Coach Operator cannot assist you. Bikes may be loaded or unloaded at any bus stop, inclduing in Downtown Seattle. Please make sure the Coach Operator sees you before you step in front of the bus.

The bike rack holds most two-wheeled bicycles with 16-inch or larger diameter wheels. Bikes with child carriers or no-spoke wheels cannot be put on the rack, and some bikes with wide handlebars or long wheelbases won't fit. Mopeds and scooters are not allowed.

When the Rack is Full

Bikes may be allowed on board if the coach operator determines it is safe to do so. When a Coach Operator allows a bike on board, it must be held securely by the bicycle owner at all times and must not block the aisle. Once a bike is secured inside the bus, it should remain there unless otherwise directed by the Coach Operator. Bikes that would not otherwise be permitted on the bike rack and excessively dirty bikes are not allowed inside buses.

If there is no space for your bike on the bus, you may quickly lock your bike at the stop, wait for the next bus or ride towards your destination. You might also want to consider leasing a bike locker at a Community Transit park & ride.

Cyclists assume all responsibility for any damage and/or injury that occurs as a result of their bicycle being on Community Transit property.

Bike Rack Basics

• Before the bus arrives, prepare your bike for loading. Remove loose items such as water bottles, bike helmets or pumps. Be aware of how baskets and accessories on your bike may block driver views and remove them if possible.
• Stand at the curb and wait for the bus to come to a stop. Make sure the Coach Operator sees you before stepping in front of the bus.
• Unlatch the bike rack at the center handle and fold it down toward you.
• Load your bike into the slots labeled for front and rear wheel. If there are no other bikes on board, load your bike in the front slots with the front wheel towards traffic. Be careful not to step into traffic while loading.
• Raise the spring-loaded support arm over the front tire to secure the bike. Make sure the arm rests on the tire as close to the frame as possible without touching the fender or frame.
• Sit near the front of the bus and watch your bike. Community Transit is not responsible for lost or stolen bicycles. For added security, you may lock you wheel to the bike frame — but never lock your bike to the rack.
• At your stop, exit at the front door and remind the driver you need to unload your bicycle.
• Remove the support arm and lift your bike off the rack. If there are no other bikes on board, please fold up the bike rack.
• Move onto the sidewalk or shoulder and wait for the bus to pass before heading on your way.

Note: DART paratransit vehicles are not equipped for bikes.

Lost & Found

Did you forget your bike on a bus? You're not the first! Bicycles and other lost and found items are turned into Community Transit's RideStore by 11:30 a.m. the following business day. Call the RideStore at (425) 348-2350 to make sure your lost item is there and to set up a pick-up appointment for your lost bike.

Due to space limitations, bikes are only held for 10 days.

The RideStore is located at the Lynnwood Transit Center, 20110 46th Ave. W, just west of the Interurban Trail. It is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bike Lockers

A bike locker is a secure, weatherproof way to store your bike at a park & ride while you complete your trip on a bus, carpool or vanpool. For a key and unlimited use of the locker, the only cost to you is a $50 refundable deposit. For more information on Community Transit's bike locker program, contact the Bike Locker Coordinator at bikelockers at commtrans dot org or (425) 348-2332.

Bikes with child carriers, long wheelbases (such as recumbents) or wide handlebars might not fit into bike lockers.

Lockers

The following park & rides have bike lockers (quantity shown in parentheses):

• Ash Way (12)
• Canyon Park (8)
• Eastmont (2)
• Edmonds (4)
• Lake Stevens (8)
• Lynnwood (32)
• Mariner (4)
• Marysville Ash Avenue P&R (8)
• Marysville Cedar and Grove (8)
• McCollum Park (8)
• Monroe (2)
• Mountlake Terrace (8)
• Snohomish (2)
• Stanwood at I-5 (6)
• Swamp Creek (2)

Bike lockers at other Snohomish County locations are operated by other agencies:

• Aurora Village Transit Center (King County Metro)
• Everett Station (Everett Transit)
• Edmonds Station (Sound Transit)
• South Everett Freeway Station (Sound Transit)
• Snohomish County Campus (for Snohomish County employees)
• Everett Community College (college)
• Edmonds Community College (college)
• University of Washington Bothell (college)