
Bikes on Buses
Bringing your Bike
Bikes and buses go great together. It’s easy and convenient to load your bike onto one of our front-loading racks and there’s no additional fare. So, whether you’re on your way to work, school, or shopping, bring your bike on the bus and get there in style.
1. Bicycle Size and Type
- Bicycles must fit securely in the exterior bike rack wheel slots, with a maximum size of 80 inches long, 48 inches tall, and 24 inches wide.
- Only standard, two-wheeled, human-powered or sealed dry cell electric-assisted bicycles are permitted.
- Recumbent, tandem, motorized, three-wheeled, or excessively dirty bikes (e.g., muddy or greasy) are not permitted.
- Bicycles with extra wide “fat tires” must be deflated before boarding to fit the rack. Drivers cannot wait for tire deflation at the stop.
- Bicycles with front-mounted horizontal racks or collapsible baskets will not fit securely and are not permitted. Bikes with rear-mounted racks or baskets are allowed.
2. Bike Rack Usage and Accessibility
- Bike racks on the front of buses are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Passengers are responsible for loading and unloading their bicycles. For safety, drivers cannot leave the bus to assist.
- Bicycles that are designed to be “folded” (similar to a baby stroller) may be transported inside the bus if they do not block the aisles when stored.
- If exterior bike racks are full, passengers must wait for the next available bus.
- Sonoma County Transit is not responsible for loss or damage to bicycles.
- If it’s the last trip of the day, and the bike rack is full, drivers may allow bicycles to be brought inside the bus.
- Wheelchair users have priority at all times.
3. Loading your Bike – How to use Sonoma County Transit Bike Racks
All Sonoma County Transit buses are equipped with racks that can fit either two or three bikes. Riders are responsible for loading and unloading their bicycles. After your bus pulls up, first make eye contact with the driver, then proceed to load your bike from the front of the bus. If you need instruction on how to safely use the bike rack, please ask your driver.
- Lower the Rack: Squeeze and hold the release handle on top of the bike rack to lower it gently.
- Load Your Bicycle: Place your bicycle in an open slot, ensuring the front wheel faces the curb and the bike fits securely (maximum size: 80” long, 48” tall, 24” wide).
- Secure The Bicycle: Pull the wheel lock up and over the front tire to hold the bike in place.
- Remove Loose Items: Before boarding, remove any loose items from your bicycle to prevent loss or damage to the vehicle or bus.
- Notify the Driver When Deboarding: Don’t forget your bike! When exiting, inform the driver that you will be removing your bicycle. If no other bicycles remain, please raise the rack to the upright and locked position.
Sonoma County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (SCBPAC)
- Information on Sonoma County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
- 3 Feet for Bicycle Safety
- Bike Rack Locations
Bicycle Documents
- 2010 Sonoma County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
- 2010 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (PDF) 2.25MB
- 2010 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Route Map (PDF) 1.7MB