MDOT MTA Bicycle Policy
Rack & Roll Program
Bikes On Rail
Stay Safe
Bike Racks & Lockers
Bikes on MARC Train (separate page)

Bicycles on MTA is one of the Maryland Transit Administration's Go Green programs keeping our state on the move while fostering a healthy environment. Public transportation and bicycles provide more mobility options to everyone, help improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion. In Maryland, public transportation and bicycles can and do work together to allow for longer trips. That’s smart transportation –the ability to move seamlessly between transit modes in a healthy, enjoyable manner.

MTA Bicycle Policy
  • Motorcycles, mopeds, or gas-powered cycles are also not allowed on MDOT MTA vehicles. 
  • Charging e-scooters and e-bikes on a train car or at a station is never allowed to ensure the safety of all passengers.  This includes charging using an external power source.
  • Bicycles are permitted on Light Rail and Metro Subway, except on crowded trains. No bicycles are allowed on board MTA Buses. Local Buses are equipped with bicycle racks above the front bumper to carry up to two bicycles.
  • On MARC Train, passengers must bring two (2) bungee cords to secure their bicycles. Not all types of rail cars have racks for bikes. MARC train equipment assignments vary day-to-day and your train may have any type of MARC rail car, therefore, you must be prepared to travel and store your bike with bungee cords. Passengers are not permitted to bring their bikes on a railcar that does not have bike racks if they do not have bungee cords to secure their bike.
  • You must be 18 years of age or accompanied by an adult who is 18 years of age to bring a bicycle on MTA modes.
  • No more than two bicycles are permitted per wheelchair-accessible transit vehicle. To get the most out of biking, stow your bicycle at an MTA-provided bicycle rack or locker located at stations and stops along the system.
  • Bicycles with trailers or training wheels, tricycles, stationary, cargo, or tandem bicycles are not allowed on MTA services.
  • Only one (1) bicycle per person is allowed on board.
 
RACK AND ROLL!

Tips for Loading and Unloading a Bicycle Using a Bus Front-Mounted Bike Rack:
Local Buses are equipped to carry two bicycles, although there may be an occasion when a bus in service does not have a bicycle rack. The bicycle racks are very easy to use, designed for cyclists to load and unload themselves. See the steps below for loading and unloading.

Loading
  • To prepare your bike for loading prior to the arrival of the bus, take off loose items, water bottles, chain locks, or any other dangling objects.
  • Stay back as the bus approaches the stop and do not allow your body or bicycle to extend past the curb area.
  • Alert the operator that you will place a bicycle on the rack, and then go to the front of the bus to load the bicycle from the curb side. Please do not step into oncoming traffic to load your bike.
  • If the rack is in the upright position, using one hand, squeeze the handle to carefully lower the bicycle rack while holding your bike with the other hand.
  • Lift the bicycle, fitting wheels into the labeled slot closest to the bus. If it is the second bicycle on the rack it should face in the opposite direction of the first bicycle.
  • The front tire should be in the wheel slot with the padded hook.
  • Raise the padded hook up and over the front tire so the hook rests at the highest point on the front wheel. The hook adds lateral support for the loaded bicycle.
  • Board the bus, pay the fare and tell the operator at which stop you will depart with your bicycle.
  • Enjoy the ride!
Unloading
  • Don’t forget your bicycle is loaded on the bus!
  • Exit from the front door and remind the operator you have a bike to take off the rack.
  • Raise the padded hook off the tire by pulling up and away, and lower it around the tire to its original position on the rack.
  • Lift your bike off the rack.
  • If there are no other bicycles on the rack, return the rack to the upright position by squeezing the handle and folding up the rack until it snaps in to position.
  • Step away from the bus toward the curb and wait for the bus to pull away from the stop before safely beginning your bicycle journey.
BIKES ON LIGHT RAIL AND METRO SUBWAY

Any standard-size bicycle may be brought aboard MTA’s Light RailLink and Metro SubwayLink. When using these services, be sure to:

  • Push or carry the bicycle when on the elevator, inside the station, on the platform or in the train. Never ride an escalator with a bike.
  • If the train is crowded due to morning or afternoon rush hour, sporting events or special events, please wait for the next train.
  • Stay a safe distance from the loading platform edge at all times before boarding trains.
  • Be considerate of other passengers and wait until exiting and entering passengers have cleared the doorway before carrying the bicycle on to the train.
  • Follow any instructions given by transit staff regarding bicycle transport.
  • In the event a bicycle or other property falls into the track area of the Metro Subway system, DO NOT attempt to retrieve it personally. Immediately, approach the Station Attendant for assistance.
  • Place the bicycle in the area reserved for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Be prepared to move the bicycle to make way for seniors and individuals with disabilities who have priority over bicycles. Hold on to the bicycle and keep it out of the way of other passengers.
BIKES ON MARC TRAIN

Click here for information regarding policies for bikes on MARC Train

Safety standards for riders boarding with personally-owned e-scooters and e-bikes

In addition, MTA has expanded its bicycle policy to allow personally owned e-scooters and e-bikes on Local Bus, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink and MARC Train. Customers can bring personal foldable electronic scooters and electronic bikes weighing less than 50 pounds onto transit modes that already make accommodations to carry collapsible and full-size bicycles.

A variety of safety measures that vary for each mode have been established and can be found below. For example, boarding a vehicle with an e-bike/scooter may be restricted when passenger volume is already at or over capacity. Gas-powered bicycles and scooters are prohibited, regardless of whether they are also battery powered. Additionally, charging e-scooters and e-bikes on a train car or at a station is never allowed.

Local Bus:

  • Riders must fold e-scooters when boarding bus
  • E-scooters must be placed between the riders’ legs if seated or close to the rider if standing
  • All bikes must be placed on the bike rack situated on the front of each bus

Light RailLink:

  • E-bikes are only allowed on the last car of the train
  • E-bikes must be held firmly upright in the priority seating area. Riders will need to be prepared to move the bike to make way for seniors and individuals with disabilities, who have priority for this seating area

Metro SubwayLink:

  • E-bikes must be held firmly upright in the priority seating area. Riders will need to be prepared to move the bike to make way for seniors and individuals with disabilities, who have priority for this seating area

MARC Train:

  • Collapsible e-bicycles and folding e-scooters are not permitted to be stowed in overhead storage bins
  • Riders boarding with standard e-bicycles must use bike cars and bring two bungee cords on every trip to secure the bike
Further Information

STAY SAFE

Staying safe when riding on the roads means watching out for a wide variety of vehicles and audio/visual warning devices. Bicyclists should always watch for transit vehicles and practice the following:

  • When approaching Light Rail or other railroad tracks, always expect a train at any time, from any direction, and on any track in the vicinity.
  • Obey railroad crossing safety devices: that means signals, flashing lights, gate arms, and audible bells.
  • NEVER try to race a train or piece of track equipment through a grade crossing or intersection.
  • Stop, look, and listen before crossing tracks at the designated location. Trains and track equipment move more quickly than they might appear to be moving. If stopped, they may move without warning.
  • Do not rely on sound alone to warn of an approaching train as they can be very quiet.
  • Light Rail trains follow different traffic signals and may move at unexpected times.
  • If you as a bicycle rider cannot see a transit vehicle’s outside mirror, the operator of that vehicle is unable to see you.
  • A cyclist should never pass a bus on the right side at any time since a bus may turn or pull closer to the curb to pick up or drop off passengers.
  • When you pass a bus with its rear angled out in to traffic, pass on the left and look around carefully. Pass the front of the bus with plenty of room in case it pulls out or pedestrians appear.
  • Buses and other large vehicles need more room to negotiate turning corners, so stay away from the rear of a turning vehicle.
BICYCLE RACKS AND LOCKERS

Most Light Rail stops and Metro Subway stations have bicycle racks, as well as many MARC Train stations. Racks are available at no cost. Bike lockers are also available throughout the MTA system at several Light Rail stops, Metro Subway stations and MARC Train stations. For locations where bike lockers are available and for information on renting a bicycle locker, call the MTA Office of Customer Information at 410-767-3999. A $25.00 deposit for the locker key is refundable. The yearly cost of renting a locker is $70.00.

I forgot my bike was on the front of the bus! Now what do I do?

Call the MTA Transit Information Contact Center 6:00 am – 7:00 pm, Monday – Friday at 410-539-5000 or toll-free 866-RIDE-MTA (743-3682). Or, after business hours, weekdays and on weekends, call the MTA Police 24/7 at 410-454-7720. An MTA Information Agent or MTA Police Officer will ask for specific information about a cyclist’s bus ride such as: bus route number, bus vehicle number (if known), time of day of the bus ride, and where the cyclist exited the bus. Every effort will be made to locate the bicycle and arrange for its return.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

MTA Information - 410-539-5000 or 866-RIDE-MTA (743-3682)

To retrieve or report property that has fallen into the tracks please call MTA Police at 410-454-7720

Forgot your bike on the bus? Call 410-539-5000 and we will make every effort to locate it and arrange for its return. You will be asked to provide bus route number, bus vehicle number (if known) and where you exited the bus.

Maryland Department of Transportation MDOT Director of Bicycle and Pedestrian Access
7201 Corporate Center Drive
P.O. Box 548
Hanover, MD 21076
mdot.maryland.gov

Guaranteed Ride Home Program
Once registered in the Guaranteed Ride Home program, bicyclists who ride to work at least two times per week are eligible for up to four free rides home per year in case of personal illness, family emergency or unscheduled overtime. 1-800-745-RIDE (7433) www.commuterconnections.org

State Highway Administration Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator
707 North Calvert St., MS 502
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-545-5656 or 800-252-8776 [email protected]

Baltimore City Bike & Pedestrian Planner
417 East Fayette St., Suite 555
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-396-6858

MTA TTY - 410-539-3497

Bike Maryland
1209 North Calvert St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-960-6493 www.bikemd.org

Baltimore Metropolitan Area Bike Routes and Nearby MTA Bus and Rail Connections