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09/27/2024 4:59 pm

Bus with a bike loaded on the front rack

Bikes on Buses

Make bike riding part of your daily bus commute

Updated: Sep 27, 2024

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Loading Your Bike Unloading Your Bike Bike Rack Rules Bike Specific Information

Getting around Raleigh is easier than ever thanks to GoRaleigh's Bikes on Buses program. Use your bicycle for part of your trip and the bus for the rest. With a bike rack on every GoRaleigh bus, you can make bike riding part of your daily commute.

Each rack is located in the front of the bus and accommodates up to two bicycles. Customers can load at any bus stop. There is no charge for your bicycle. The process is quick and easy, usually taking less than 20 seconds.

Commute Smarter Not Harder: Bike On Bus

Learn how you can secure your bicycle to the front rack of a GoRaleigh bus in just a few easy steps.

Loading Your Bike

Man getting ready to load bike on bus rack

1. Prepare your bike for loading. Remove water bottles, pumps and other loose items that could fall off while the bus is moving. Stand next to your bike when waiting at a bus stop so that the driver will know you are a passenger.

2. Inform the bus driver that you will be loading your bike. You must load from the curb or in front of the bus. Do not step into oncoming traffic to load your bike.

3. Fold down the bike rack. If the bike rack is empty, find the release latch on the top center of the bike rack. Hold your bike with one hand and squeeze the handle up with the other hand to release the latch, then fold down the bike rack. Do not lean your bike against the bus.

man loading bike on bus rack

4. Lift your bike onto the bike rack. Fit the wheels into the labeled wheel slots. Each wheel slot is clearly labeled for the front wheel (NOTE: The rack operates properly even if a bicycle is loaded in the wrong direction). The purpose of this is to make the bike nearest the bus easier to unload. If you are the first person to load your bike, be sure to load it in the rack closest to the bus.

5. Raise the support arm up and over the front tire. The hook should rest at the highest point on the front wheel. The support arm adds lateral support for the loaded bicycle. The rack must not be used without the use of the support arm.

Man boarding bus after bike loaded on bus rack

6. Pick up your loose items. Make sure to collect anything you removed from your bike. Board the bus and enjoy the ride. Choose a seat near the front of the bus to keep an eye on your bike. DO NOT FORGET you have a bike when you get off at your stop.

Unloading Your Bike

woman loading bike on to bus bike rack
  1. Inform the driver that you will be unloading your bike as you approach your stop. Use the front door to exit the bus. Unload your bike while in front of the bus or from the curb, not from the street side.
  2. Raise the support arm off the tire. The support arm automatically folds down to a secure position.
  3. Lift your bike out of the bike rack.
  4. Return the rack to the upright position (if there is not another bike on the rack) by squeezing the handle.
  5. Step away from the bus with your bike. Always step to the curb for your own safety and wait for the bus to leave before entering traffic or crossing the street.

Bike Rack Rules

  • Be prepared before the bus arrives.
  • For safety reasons the operator will not leave the bus to assist with the loading or unloading of racks.
  • Customers with bikes will be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis, with a limit of one bike per person.
  • Load your bike as quickly as possible to help ensure your fellow passengers reach their destination on time.
  • Bicycle locks may not be used on the bikes on the rack. It is the customer's responsibility to watch his/her own bicycle during the trip. Operators will not monitor them.
  • The bike rack can fit all bicycle types with wheels larger than 16" in diameter, excluding tandems and recumbents. No motorized bikes permitted.
  • Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Customers use the GoRaleigh bicycle racks at their own risk. GoRaleigh or The City of Raleigh assumes no responsibility for bikes that are lost, stolen, damaged or left on racks.
  • GoRaleigh Lost and Found 919-996-3869

Bike Specific Information

  • The rack contacts bike tires only – no contact to frame means no damage to bicycles.
  • The rack doesn’t require any straps or cords to retain bike – this translates to quick loading and unloading keeping it simple for the passenger and the bus on time.
  • The rack accommodates tire sizes from 20” to 29”/700c and up to a 44” wheel base – fits the majority of commonly used bikes.
  • Weight limit of up to 55 lbs per wheel rack.

resources

 

Commute Smart Raleigh

Contact

 

transportationinfo@raleighnc.gov
919-996-3030

Supported Services

 
BikeRaleigh
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BikeRaleigh

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