Bikes and Buses | Community Transit

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We make it easy to combine biking and transit

You can leave your bike at one of the many park & ride bike racks or lockers or bring it with you on the bus. 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. Vanpool vans can be equipped with racks on request. Bikes travel free on public transportation on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bike racks are on the front of most buses; on Swift bus rapid transit, racks are inside the bus. It is your responsibility to load and unload your bicycle; the bus driver cannot assist you. Cyclists assume all responsibility for any damage and/or injury that occurs as a result of using the bike racks. Bikes may be loaded or unloaded at any bus stop.

Bicycle requirements

Bikes allowed

Bikes that meet the following requirements are permitted on Community Transit buses.

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 (fenders ok).
Folding bikes
These bikes are welcome inside the bus, provided they’re folded and fit underneath the seat and can be kept out of the aisle.
Electric assist and e-bikes
E-bikes are allowed if they do not exceed the 55 pound weight limit of the bike racks, but many electric-assist bikes weigh more than this limit. Your own e-bike may be ok with the battery removed if it weighs less than 55 pounds and a removable battery may be brought inside the bus.
Size and weight limits
The rack can hold the following bike sizes safely:

Wheel sizes 16-29 inches in diameter
Wheelbase up to 46 inches
Tire widths up to 3 inches
Weight limit of 55 pounds per rack position (including any bike accessories)

Bikes not allowed

Bikes with any of the following issues cannot ride on Community Transit buses.

For safety reasons, transit does not permit bikes or scooters inside buses other than folded bikes or scooters. Except Swift buses, where bike racks are located inside.
The racks cannot hold bikes that do not meet the dimension or weight limits listed above under Bikes Allowed, including tandem, recumbent, cargo, three-wheeled, or solid-wheeled bikes, other types of devices, or tires wider than 3 inches.
Bikes powered by gas or other fuel other than battery cannot be accommodated. Many electric-assist bikes exceed the 55 pound weight limit.
Electric bike share bikes are too heavy for the rack and cannot be loaded onto buses. Please pick up a different bike share on the other end of your transit trip and leave the rack space for personal bikes.
Bikes with attachments over the front wheel that block the support arm cannot be accommodated. This may include baskets, handlebar packs, etc.
Accessories or attachments are not acceptable if they have the potential to:

Prevent a second bike from being loaded or damage an adjacent bike.
Fly off, flap around, cause a visual distraction or otherwise cause a hazard.
Obstruct the headlights or turn signals.
Block the driver's vision. Generally, items attached to a bicycle should be no taller than the height of the handlebars.
Examples of prohibited items include most types of child seats and baskets fashioned from milk cartons.

It is the sole discretion of the driver at any time to accept or decline any load which is believed to be inherently unsafe for any reason.

How to use our bike racks

Bike rack basics

Before the bus arrives, remove loose items from your bike like 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.
Wait until the bus stops and make sure the driver 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.
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 your wheel to the bike frame, but never lock your bike to the rack.
At your stop, remind the driver you need to unload your bicycle and exit at the front door.
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.

Bike rack basics on Swift buses

To load your bike on Swift, enter through the rear door and simply push your bike onto the rack in front of you. Make sure that your front wheel is centered and secure under the roller.
To remove your bike, pull back firmly and exit with your bike through the rear door.
Bike racks on Swift fit standard bikes with wheels from 20-29" in diameter and tires up to 3" wide. Items that extend to the side or rear may need to be removed to keep the aisle clear and allow other bikes to be loaded.

When the bike rack is full

If the rack is full, bikes may be allowed on board the bus if the driver determines it is safe.
If a driver 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 driver. 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 renting an on-demand bike locker at a Community Transit Park & Ride.

Taking your bike to light rail?

With Sound Transit's Link light rail connecting to Snohomish County, you may need to take your bike on the train. Learn more about bringing your bike on Link and what to expect from Sound Transit's web site.

Forget your bike on the bus?

It might be at our Lost & Found.

Bicycles and other found items are turned into Community Transit's Ride Store. To claim a lost bike, call the Ride Store at (425) 348-2350. Due to space limitations, bikes are only held for 10 days.

The Ride Store is located at Lynnwood City Center Station - 20110 46th Ave W. Lynnwood, WA 98036, open Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Plan a trip to the Ride Store