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Bike regulations for Metro-North Railroad

Updated Jan 30, 2024
Here are rules for taking your bike on Metro-North trains.

Personal Electronic Vehicles

If you have a Personal Electronic Vehicle (PEV), the MTA's PEV policy applies.

Traveling with bicycles

  • All bicycles carried on board must be clean and free of excessive dirt and grease at all times. 
  • Please keep bicycles clear of aisles and do not block vestibule doors. 
  • Watch the gap while entering and exiting the train with bicycles. 
  • Cyclists must remain in immediate proximity and in full control of their bicycles at all times.

Types of Bicycles

  • Permitted: Single-seat, human-powered, two-wheeled vehicle, with a wheel diameter not in excess of 27 inches and maximum dimensions of 80" in length and 48" in height
  • Not permitted: Bicycles in excess of the above dimensions, as well as tandem, motorized, or training-wheeled bicycles, tricycles, or bicycles with any protrusions that could cause injury or damage.
  • True folding bicycles may be brought on board all trains, but must remain folded at all times. Please see below for details on the folding bicycle policy.

On-train storage

Cyclists must have a suitable cord/chain to secure the bicycle on the train at all times. Bicycles must remain in the immediate custody of the cyclist, who will be responsible for their safekeeping and will secure the bicycles so that they do not pose a hazard to customers. Bicycles cannot block aisles or impede passenger movement. Cyclists must be able to move the bicycle at the request of a Metro-North employee or police officer. The kickstand of the bicycle must remain up at all times.

Cyclists must yield available space to customers with limited mobility. Bicycles must be secured in designated areas.

Restrictions

The TrainTime app will show whether any of these restrictions are applicable to your trip. 

All year

  • Bikes are not allowed on weekday inbound trains that arrive Grand Central between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.
  • Bikes are not allowed on weekday outbound trains that depart Grand Central between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
  • Regardless of time of day or direction of travel, some trains do not allow bicycles. These trains are indicated by the bike symbol with a strike through it on the TrainTime app and the PDF schedule.

Bicycles are not permitted on shuttle buses (either planned or unplanned).

Bicycles are not permitted on all trains on the following holidays: 

  • New Year’s Day
  • St. Patrick’s Day
  • Mother’s Day
  • Rosh Hashanah Eve
  • Yom Kippur Eve
  • Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
  • New Year’s Eve

Bicycles restrictions apply on the following holidays: 

  • On the Fridays before Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, bikes are not allowed on outbound trains departing Grand Central between noon and 8:30 p.m.
  • On the Day after Thanksgiving and between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, bikes are not allowed on trains arriving or departing Grand Central between 5:30 a.m. and noon or between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

For holidays not listed above, normal weekday bike rules apply when a weekday schedule is running, and normal weekend bike rules apply when a weekend schedule is running.

Bicycles may not be permitted on days with major special events.

At Stations

  • Bicycle riding on platforms or in other station areas is prohibited.
  • Bicycles are not to be taken on escalators.

Bicycle Groups

Bicycle groups that are organizing rides may contact Metro-North Railroad Group Travel through 511 to reserve space on trains.

Folding Bicycle Policy

Folding bicycles may be brought on board train cars as carry-on baggage at all times. Only true folding bicycles (bicycles specifically designed to fold up into a compact assembly, not exceeding 32 inches in width) are acceptable. Generally, these bicycles have frame latches that allow the frame to be collapsed, and small wheels. Regular bicycles of any size, with or without wheels, are not considered folding bicycles, and may not be stored as folding bicycles on board trains. The bicycle must be folded in the most compact position before boarding the train. Bicycles must be clean and free of excessive dirt and grease at all times. Folding bicycles may not be placed on seats and must not block aisles or vestibules. 

Emergencies

Cyclists must follow the directive of the train crew, authorized personnel, police, local authorities and/or fire officials. If an emergency should occur, cyclists may be required to leave their bicycles on board. Bicycles are not permitted on buses if substitute bus service is provided.

Number of bicycles per train

Cyclists will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis, and we make no assurances that space will be available for bicycles. Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to designate additional trains, in addition to the restrictions below, where bicycles will not be permitted. In addition, train crews may bar bicycles from trains if the bicycles cannot be accommodated because of conditions which interfere with the safety and comfort of other customers, including occasions of heavy ridership or equipment shortages. Consequently, the carriage of bicycles on a given train or for a continuous journey on connecting trains cannot be guaranteed.

  • Weekdays: maximum 4 bicycles per train: no more than 2 bicycles per car
  • Weekends: maximum 8 per train: no more than 2 bicycles per car, except on trains designated on schedules and in the TrainTime app as a Bicycle Train