Bikes on Trains: Four Per Car; None Opening Weekend

Sound Transit recently released its Light Rail Bicycle Policy (find details below), and announced that bicycles will not be allowed on light rail trains during opening weekend due to the huge crowds that are expected. Bicycle parking will be provided at each light rail station, and bikes will be allowed on light rail trains beginning July 20.

Bikes on Trains

• Single-seat, two-wheeled, non-fueled bicycles only. Oversized, tandem or fueled bicycles (including motorbikes and mopeds) and trailers, and bicycles with solid wheels, are not allowed.
• Limited bicycle storage is available on light rail vehicles, and Sound Transit would prefer that cyclists not bring them on the train if they don’t have to.
• Bicycle storage on Sound Transit vehicles is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Outside of the downtown Seattle Ride Free Area (RFA), bicycles may be loaded or unloaded from any Sound Transit vehicle at any stop or station at any time.
• Within the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT), bicycles may be loaded or unloaded from Sound Transit buses and light rail trains at any station at any time. The effects of bicycle loading and unloading in the DSTT will be assessed periodically to determine if changes should be made to maintain or improve transit operations and safety for cyclists.
• On surface streets within the downtown Seattle RFA, bicycles may be loaded or unloaded from Sound Transit buses at any stop except between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays. During those periods, bicycles may be loaded and unloaded from Sound Transit buses only at a route’s first or last stop within the RFA.
• Any number of folding bicycles is allowed inside any Sound Transit vehicle at any time.
• Storing bicycles in the priority seating areas for elderly and disabled riders on any vehicle is prohibited.
• Central Link Light Rail: Four bicycles per car at all times (2 hanging + 2 standing). Bicycles must be hung from the two hooks in the designated bicycle storage area of each car or, if all hooks are in use, cyclists must stand with and restrain bicycles without blocking exits or the train operator’s compartment; kickstands are not sufficient.

Bikes at Stations

• Bicycle lockers at Sound Transit facilities may be reserved for a fee on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Bicycle racks at Sound Transit facilities are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Bicycles must be parked and locked only in designated bicycle parking racks or lockers and must not restrict station exit pathways. Bicycles parked anywhere other than in a rack or locker will be removed.
• Bicycles may be parked in racks at Sound Transit facilities for no longer than 72 hours, after which they may be removed. Bicycles may be parked in lockers for as long as the locker is reserved.
• Cyclists bringing their bicycle on vehicles must access station platforms via stairs or elevators rather than escalators. Bringing bicycles on escalators is prohibited.

Find Sound Transit’s full Bicycle Policy here.

Bikes on trains. Photo/do communications, inc.