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Bike-on-bus

 

Did you know you can bring your bike on transit for no additional cost? You can. To bring your bike on ART and Metrobus, continue reading. Visit our bike-on-rail page to learn more about bringing your bike on Metrorail.

Arlington County's ART bus system has a bike-on-bus program. Each of the ART busses has a two (2) place bike rack that will hold standard length bicycles.

Bikes ride free with the person.  This can be an easy way to meet your friends across town for a ride, extend your riding horizons,  get home if you have a flat, or take your bike for maintenance. 

You can also connect to the MetroBus bike-on-bus system and Metro's bike-on-rail system giving you the opportunity to ride almost anywhere in the Washington Metropolitan area.

How to use the racks:

  •   Make sure the bus has stopped and the driver sees you before you step in front of the bus.
     
 
folded bike rackThe racks are folded up when not being used.

1) Grab the handle and pull up.

 
  •  Squeeze the top handle and swing the rack down. You only need to use one hand to unlatch and pull the bike rack down, so you can hold your bike with your other hand. It is not necessary to lean your bike against the bus.
     
 
bike rack handleClose up of handle
 
bike rack in carrying position2)Lower the rack to the carrying position.
 
bike being lifted onto rack3) Lift your bike onto the rack and into the slot for the wheels.

 Load bike with the front wheel toward the wheel clamp.

 
wheel clamp in lowered positionThe wheel clamp is at the bottom of the front wheel of the bike.
 
wheel clamp in raised position4) Pull up the spring - loaded clamp and put it over the front wheel.  The bike is now secured for travel.

Get in the bus.

 

 
  • The support arm adds lateral support for the bike when the bus is in motion, and is required.  The support arm needs to be raised so that the hook rests at the highest point on the front wheel.
     
 
bike in place on rackTip: don't leave anything on the bike that might blow off in the wind, or bounce off when the bus hits a bump.
 
  •   As you exit the bus, remind the  driver that you will be removing your bicycle.

 

  •   Lower the spring-loaded bar from the tire and lift your bicycle off the rack.

 

  •   Swing the rack up if it's empty.

 

  •   Go to the nearest curb. Wave to let the driver know you and your bicycle are clear of the bus.