Biking in New York
One of the best ways to get around the city is by bike. You can take advantage of dedicated bike lanes, greenways, and bike-friendly parks. Using our transit system with your bike expands your options.
General guidelines
- You can take a bike on the subway. There are some restrictions on the Staten Island Railway (see below), but in general, you can bring your bike with you on the subway.
- You can't take your bike on most buses. Some routes across bridges have buses with bike racks, but in general don’t plan on transporting your bike via bus.
- Folding bikes can go almost anywhere. They're not allowed on express buses, but otherwise you can bring them on board. If you do bring your folding bike, it needs to be folded.
- Railroad rules vary by time of day and train. Bikes are not allowed on rush hour trains or on some holidays, and there are limits on the number of bikes per train. Read the LIRR and Metro-North bike regulations for more details.
- You can't ride your bike across some MTA bridges or through MTA tunnels. If the bridge has a pedestrian walkway, you can walk your bike across.
- Don’t lock your bike to MTA property. This includes subway entrances and exits. Look for a bike rack instead.
- There are different rules for personal electric vehicles (PEVs). Read our PEV policy for details on bringing e-bikes or e-scooters on trains and buses.
Other guidance by type of transit
In general
- Stay by your bike or micromobility device and move it out of the way for other riders.
- You can't ride your bike or micromobility device in stations.
- Don't lock your bike or micromobility device on board or at any MTA facility.
- You're not allowed to charge an e-bike or micromobility device in any MTA facility.
- Gasoline-powered vehicles aren't allowed on board or in MTA facilities.
On local, SBS, and express buses
- Full-size bikes are not allowed inside buses, but you can bring a folding bike on local and SBS buses. Folding bikes must be folded.
- All bikes and micromobility devices are not allowed on express buses.
- Tuck your folding bike or scooter under the seat and out of the way of other passengers. Don’t block seats or aisles.
- Buses on these routes have bike racks:
- Bx23, in the Bronx
- M35 and M60-SBS, in Manhattan
- Q44-SBS and Q50, in Queens
- S53, S79-SBS, and S93, in Staten Island
On the subway
- Avoid rush hour if you can.
- Enter and exit through the station service gate. Swipe your MetroCard or use OMNY, turn the turnstile, and then use the service gate. If you need help, talk to a station agent.
- Don't lift your bike over the turnstile.
- Try to enter the first or last set of doors on a given subway car and stand with your bike or scooter near either end of the subway car.
- Carry your bike or scooter between yourself and the stairway wall when entering or exiting a station.
- If your device folds, tuck it under the seat or hold it out of the way of other passengers. Don’t block seats or aisles.
- Bikes are allowed on the Staten Island Railway at all times except:
- 6-9 a.m. on weekdays, on St. George-bound trains.
- 4-7 p.m. on weekdays, on Tottenville-bound trains.
On commuter rail
- Bikes are not allowed at certain times or on holidays.
- On weekdays, up to four bikes per train are allowed. On weekends, up to eight bikes per train are allowed.
- Look for bicycle trains on weekends. These accommodate more than eight bikes. These trains are indicated on published timetables with a bicycle symbol and a plus sign.
- Contact LIRR Group Travel at 718-217-5477 if you’re traveling with a group of cyclists on the LIRR. For groups of cyclists on Metro-North, contact 511 and ask for Metro-North Group Travel.
Read more in our regulations for taking bikes on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad.
Taking your bike on the subway
Let the station agent know you’re taking your bike through the service gate.
Pay the fare at the subway turnstile.
Proceed through the service gate.
On the train, stand with your bike at the end of the car. Be considerate and move your bike to make way for others when you can.
Using the bike rack on a bus
While standing on the curb with your bike, make eye contact with the bus operator to show your intention to use the bike rack. Pull the bike rack handle up to release the bike rack and lay it down flat.
Lift your bicycle into the bike rack slot closest to the driver. Or, if there is already a bike on the rack, lift it into the available slot.
Pull the support arm out completely, then over the front tire, and then secure it as close to the bike’s fork as you can. Ensure that the bike is supported and stable, and then proceed to the bus entrance for your trip.
Bike lockers at railroad stations
Metro-North Railroad
Bike lockers are available at these Metro-North stations:
- Cortlandt
- Dover Plains
- Patterson
- Tenmile River
- Wassaic
- Pawling
Long Island Rail Road
LIRR bike lockers are managed by 511NY Rideshare.
What to do if your bike is missing
Call the Lost Property Unit
Bicycles chained to MTA New York City Transit property will be removed and delivered to the Lost Property Unit.
You can reach that office at 212-712-4500.
File a police report
You can file a police report with the NYPD if your bike is stolen. You can also participate in the NYPD’s Bicycle Registration Program, intended to discourage theft and help reunite bikes with their owners.