Bikes & Transit

The slot farthest from the bus gives the driver the best view of the rack in use. The driver knows to leave extra space between the bus and a vehicle ahead of it. The outside space is also the easiest access for the bike rider.

The easiest order of loading is outside slot (farthest from bus), inside slot (closest to bus), middle slot. If the outside slot is already in use, follow these instructions for the other 2 positions:

Inside slot:

Alert the driver that you're going to load. Stand on the curb. Face your front wheel toward the curb. Lift your bike and roll the back wheel into the track. Release the support arm and extend it over the front wheel, setting it at the top of the wheel next to the frame.

If the hook on the middle slot faces the curb:

Follow the instructions above for loading in the inside slot.

If the hook on the middle slot faces the street:

Alert the driver that you're going to load. Stand in the street at the centerline of the bus. Do not stand in the line of moving traffic. Lift your bike at a 90 degree angle to the front of the bus with the back wheel toward the bus. Swing the back wheel past the first bike and set the back wheel in the slot without the hook. Set the front wheel near the hook. Pull out the hook and extend the support arm over the front wheel.

As of June 22, 2019, the service to carry extra bikes on SR 520 out-of-service buses had to end because the Montlake freeway stops on SR 520 (eastbound and westbound) closed permanently for long-term WSDOT construction.

When construction finishes in several years, new transit stops will be located on a future Montlake lid over the freeway. If you travel SR 520 on Metro or Sound Transit buses—with or without a bike—please check Trip Planner in this area.

Learn more about SR 520 Montlake construction.

The racks are first come, first served, and sometimes they’re all in use. If you can’t wait for the next bus, here are some ideas:

• Bike to a location that has more routes going near where you’re going. That will give you more possible racks. You may have to bike farther at the other end of your bus ride. Check Trip Planner for possible routes.
• Try to catch your bus earlier in its trip before the rack is full.
• If you don’t need your bike at the end of your transit trip, consider parking it at your transit stop instead of traveling with it. Check bike parking options.

In this region, bicycles are welcome anytime on buses, light rail, commuter trains, street cars, passenger ferries, and vanpools at no extra charge.

Buses – King County Metro and Sound Transit buses carry three bikes on front racks. Load or unload your bike at any regular bus stop. Other agencies in the region also carry 2 or 3 bikes per bus. Most e-bikes are too heavy for bus bike racks. Cargo bikes are too long. See limits for size, weight, types of bikes and accessories under Types of Bikes.

Trains – Just roll your bike aboard Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail and Sounder Commuter train or the Seattle Streetcar. Park in the designated areas or stand with your bike.

Boats – King County Water Taxis and Kitsap Fast Ferries have racks for 10-26 bikes depending on the vessel. Washington State Ferries has designated space on the car deck to tie up bikes (requires a small fee). Bicycle racks are also available at most terminals.

Vanpools – Racks can be installed at no charge on Metro vanpools upon request.

Other Metro services - For bike capacity on services that use small vehicles or vans, please refer to the specific services, including DART, Trailhead Direct, Metro Flex and West Seattle Water Taxi connecting shuttles 773 and 775. Metro’s regular rack loading instructions and rules apply for size, weight, type of bike and accessories.

Thank you for your concern but don’t worry! Remember that while you’re loading your bike, other passengers are getting on the bus. Most of the time you’ll just be getting on right after them. To test the racks before your first ride, check out ways to practice.