Bicycles and Sound Transit

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Bicycles and transit are a good fit. That's why Sound Transit encourages you to combine the pleasure of riding your bicycle with the convenience of our trains, buses and light rail vehicles.

Bicycles are welcome on all ST Express bus, Sounder commuter rail, Central Link light rail and Tacoma Link light rail vehicles and stations. To learn more, read our bicycle brochure (PDF 1.8MB).

Please be aware of and observe the Bicycle Rules of Conduct to help ensure safety and extend courtesy to all passengers of Sound Transit services.

Sound Transit’s Bicycle Policy

Bicycle Lockers

ST Express Regional Bus

Ride Free Area

Sounder Commuter Rail

Central Link Light Rail

Tacoma Link Light Rail

At Sound Transit Facilities

Sound Transit’s Bicycle Policy

On April 23, 2009 a motion by the Sound Transit Board of Directors resulted in the adoption of a new bicycle policy. This policy restates that bicycles are an important mode of access to its regional transit system, and articulates how bicycles and bicyclists can include transit in their travels with Sound Transit.

Bicycle Lockers

Sound Transit has bicycle lockers at many of its facilities. Lockers can be rented for a $50 non-refundable annual rental fee and a one-time $50 key refundable deposit.

Because lockers are very popular, please contact us directly to determine if lockers are available to rent at specific facilities.

Call 1-888-889-6368 | TTY Relay: 711 for locker availability.

Once you have established that a locker is available, download and fill out a copy of the Sound Transit Bicycle Locker User Agreement. Mail the completed form to the following address:

Sound Transit
Attn: Customer Service
401 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA 98104-2826

Sound Transit has bicycle lockers at the following locations:

Auburn Station (bus and commuter rail)
Beacon Hill Station (light rail)
Dupont Station (bus)
Edmonds Station (bus and commuter rail)
Everett Station (bus and commuter rail)
Federal Way Transit Center (bus)
Issaquah Transit Center (bus)
Kent Station (bus and commuter rail)
Mercer Island Park-and-Ride (bus)
Mount Baker Station (light rail)
Overlake Transit Center (bus)
Puyallup Station (bus and commuter rail)
Rainier Beach Station (light rail)
SeaTac/Airport Station (light rail, available December 2009)
SODO Station (light rail)
South Everett Freeway Station (bus)
Sumner Station (bus and commuter rail)
Tukwila Station (bus and commuter rail)
Tukwila/International Blvd Station (bus and light rail)

Bicycle lockers at the Tacoma Dome Station are managed by Pierce Transit. Call 253-581-8000 or 1-800-562-8109 for details.

Bicycle parking is also available through other transit agencies. Please contact your local transit provider for more information.

ST Express Regional Bus

ST Express vehicles are equipped with bicycle racks mounted on the outside front of the bus to accommodate up to two bicycles. Three-bicycle Trilogy racks are fitted on all Sound Transit buses operated by King County Metro Transit, including cross-Lake Washington coaches. Bicycle storage is allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.


 

  • Bicyclists are responsible for securing their equipment.
  • Only single-seat, two wheeled, non-motorized, standard sized bicycles will be transported.
  • Notify the operator that you are going to be loading and off-loading your bicycle.
  • Bicycles are not allowed inside ST Express buses unless they are a folding bicycle and do not occupy a seat or block the aisles.
  • When you are ready to leave and claim your bicycle, please exit using the front of the bus. Notify the operator that you wish to unload your bicycle. If yours is the last bicycle on the rack, return the rack to the upright position.
  • In case of an emergency, leave your secured bicycle.

Ride Free Area

  • Beginning February 7, 2009 and for one year during a demonstration project, the hours bicycles may be loaded anywhere in the downtown Seattle Ride Free Area will be expanded to all off-peak hours, including Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays. The only restriction for bicycle loading on surface streets in the Ride Free Area will during peak hours (6-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m.) Monday through Friday. During this time riders must load on the first or last stops of the Ride Free Area.
  • Bicycles may be loaded or unloaded at any Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel station during all hours the tunnel is open.

Sounder Commuter Rail

To locate the proper area for bicycle storage, board the car at the doors marked with a bicycle symbol.

  • A maximum of four bicycles per car (two secured in the bicycle priority storage area; two standing and manually restrained by the bicyclist). Use tie-downs in the bicycle priority storage area.
  • If no space is available in the bicycle storage area, no more than two bicyclists may stand with and restrain their bicycles without blocking exits; kickstands are not sufficient.
  • Strap your front and rear wheels to the tiedowns located in cars with a bicycle symbol on the door. Sounder cars have space to tie down two bicycles.

  • Bicyclists are responsible for securing their equipment.

  • Passengers seated in bicycle priority storage area should move when a rider with a bicycle boards the train or when asked by the train staff or security.

  • Wheelchair priority areas are for senior and disabled riders only*. Please do not occupy this area with your bicycle.
  • Try to evenly store bicycles among cars as storage areas become full.
  • Avoid impeding free flow of traffic in aisles and exits.
  • Exercise care to ensure bicycle grease or dirt does not contact passengers
  • Unattended bicycles are subject to removal from the train at the next station. Sound Transit will not assume responsibility for bicycles which are removed.

Central Link Light Rail

 

A maximum of four bicycles are allowed on each Link car at a time.

  • To locate the proper area for bicycle storage, board the car at the doors marked with a bicycle symbol.
  • First two bicycles should be placed on the hooks on each car.

  • Lift bicycle, and hang it on the hook. Each Link car has mounting hooks for two bicycles. When disembarking, be sure to leave adequate time to lower your bicycle and exit the train.

  • Two additional bicycles can be on each car, and must be restrained at all times by the rider while standing; kickstands are not sufficient.

  • Allow other riders to exit and enter the train first.
  • Do not block aisles.
  • Yield priority-seating to passengers with disabilities and to senior citizens.*
  • Transit staff may require bicyclists to wait for the next train due to overcrowding.

Tacoma Link Light Rail

Bicycles are welcome onboard Link.

  • Four bicycles per car at all times.
  • Bicycles must be restrained at all times by the rider while standing; kickstands are not sufficient.
  • Allow other riders to exit and enter the train first.
  • Do not block aisles.
  • Yield priority-seating to passengers with disabilities and to senior citizens.*
  • The train operator may require bicyclists to wait for the next train due to overcrowding.

At Sound Transit Facilities

  • Obey all traffic rules and regulations.
  • Walk your bicycle – riding bicycles is not allowed on Sound Transit vehicles or passenger platforms.
  • Park bicycles at Sound Transit stations, transit centers and park & ride lots only in bicycle racks or lockers
  • In case of emergency, please leave your bicycle secured on the vehicle or at the facility to avoid impeding others.
  • Cyclists are responsible for securing and carefully moving their bicycle on Sound Transit vehicles and at Sound Transit facilities to ensure their safety and the safety of other passengers.
  • Cyclists are responsible for any personal injuries or loss as a result of their negligence on Sound Transit vehicles or at Sound Transit facilities.

*The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Federal Regulations (49 CFR Part 37, Sec. 37.167)

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