bike being placed on a bus bike rack

How to Take Your Bike on the Bus

It’s easy to ride farther when you take your bike on the bus. All LTD buses have bike racks. On neighborhood buses, bike racks are on the front of the bus, and on EmX bike racks are inside the bus.

Bikes On Neighborhood Routes

It’s easy to board the bus with your bike!

  1. Make eye contact with the bus operator and let them know that you want to load a bike on the bike rack.
  2. Use caution as you step in front of the bus to access the bike rack.
  3. To lower the bike rack, push the rack in, squeeze the handle located at the top center of the rack and carefully lower the bike rack.
  4. Lift and place your bike into one of the bike rack trays. If the rack is empty, use the slot closest to the front of the bus. The front wheel of your bike should be on the side where you see a bike securement hook.
  5. Pull the bar hook out, up, and on top of the front wheel close to the handlebars to secure your bike in place.
  6. Once your bike is secure, board the bus and enjoy the ride!

It’s easy to depart the bus and remove your bike!

  1. As you approach your destination, notify the bus operator that you’d like to stop, and exit through the front doors of the bus.
  2. Let the bus operator know that you want to remove your bike from the rack.
  3. Use caution as you step in front of the bus to access the bike rack.
  4. Lift and lower the securement bar hook from the front wheel of your bike and remove your bike from the rack.
  5. Push the hook back into place on the rack.
  6. If there are no more bikes left on the rack, push down on the rack, squeeze the handle, and lift up the rack to secure it into place.
  7. Be aware of your surroundings and oncoming traffic. Look both ways and walk your bike to the curbside of the street. Never cross the street in front of the bus.

Remember

  • Bus operators provide quality service to LTD customers. Your help in quickly loading and unloading your bike will ensure that this quality service is maintained.
  • It is your responsibility to load and unload your bike. Bus operators cannot assist you.
  • Remove any bike attachments that may interfere with the operation of bus safety equipment. Bikes that do not properly fit in the rack will not be transported. Bicycles and similar devices may not block aisles or paths of travel.
  • LTD can refuse bike rack service to customers who abuse the service.
  • Only use designated bike racks for locking your bike at bus stops.
    Do not use LTD bus stop poles.
  • On rural routes, bicycles are allowed inside the bus at the operator’s discretion. Customers must secure bikes in the wheelchair areas, and they are required to deboard if a customer needs the wheelchair area. 
  • Bicycles and similar devices powered by fuel other than a battery are not permitted. Battery compartments must be sealed. Devices must weigh under 55 pounds when allowed inside the bus, or under 40 pounds when using the bicycle rack.

Bikes On EmX Rapid Transit Lines

Follow These Three Easy Steps

1
Check to see if there is room

As the EmX vehicle approaches, scan the bus to see if there is room on board. Up to three bikes are permitted on the vehicle. If it is too crowded to board safely, you will need to wait for the next bus.

2
Let other riders board first

Wait for other riders to exit and enter the bus before you board.

3
Board through the door with the bike symbol

Designated bike spaces are located inside the left rear door of each EmX bus.

Detailed Instructions

  1. As the bus approaches, look through the windows to see if there is room for your bike. EmX buses allow three bikes on the bus at a time. If it is too crowded to board safely, you will need to wait for the next bus.
  2. Please wait for other riders to exit and enter the bus before you board with your bike.
  3. Look for the bike symbol on the exterior of the bus and platform to know which doors to use.
  4. EmX buses have level boarding, so you can roll your bike right onto the bus through the rear doors.
  5. There are two kinds of bike racks on EmX buses: one uses a tire securement system and the other uses a securement strap system.
    • Tire Securement System: To use the “V-shaped” tire securement system, first, locate an empty rack. Lift up the front tire and slide it into the bottom part of the “V”. Keep pushing your bike in until the black stopper rolls up the front tire and secures your bike.
    • Securement Strap System: To use the securement strap system, find an empty slot on the bike rack inside the bus and slide in your bike. Locate the appropriate length securement strap and click the strap into place around the frame of your bike. Pay attention as other riders board with bikes, because you may need to ask them to move their bike to get to yours.
  1. As you approach your destination, notify the bus operator that you’d like to stop. If available, push the bike request button near the bike securement area. You may need to ask other riders to move their bikes to access yours.
    • When using the tire securement system, hold your bike by the handlebars and push the securement bar off of your front bike tire.
    • When using the securement strap system, remove the securement strap from the frame of your bike.
  2. Roll your bike out of the rack and onto the platform.
  3. Remember to walk your wheels on platforms.
  4. Be aware of your surroundings and oncoming traffic. Look both ways and walk your bike to the curbside of the street. Never cross the street in front of the bus.

Important Reminders

  • If other riders are occupying the area displaying the bike symbol, you may politely request that they move from the area so that you can store your bike.
  • Bikes are allowed on EmX only if there is room, so if all bike spaces are full or if the vehicle is too crowded to board safely, you must wait for the next EmX vehicle. Consider taking your trip before or after rush hour, parking your bike at the station, or using a compact folding bike instead.
  • Always yield priority seating areas to seniors and people with disabilities.
  • Bicycles and similar devices may not block aisles or paths of travel.
  • Maintain control of your bike and take care not to brush it against others. Do not use a kickstand.
  • If you have a collapsed folding bike, you may store it under your seat. Don’t block the aisles with your collapsed bike.
  • Children under the age of 12 bringing bikes on EmX must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Always walk your bike in station areas, transit centers, and pedestrian corridors.
  • Bicycles and similar devices powered by fuel other than a battery are not permitted. Battery compartments must be sealed. Devices must weigh under 55 pounds.

Bikes On Rural And Regional Routes

People wait at a covered bus stop while a cyclist loads his bicycle onto the front rack of a bus numbered 62 on a sunny day.

Diamond Express

The Diamond Express bus is equipped with an outside rack to carry three bicycles. Additional bicycles are allowed inside the bus only at the driver’s discretion. Follow the Neighborhood Bus instructions.
A man loads a bicycle with a front basket onto the bike rack of a city bus at an outdoor transit station.

Rhody Express

The Rhody Express has two bike racks on the front. Follow the Neighborhood Bus instructions.
A person sits on a bicycle near a sidewalk, holding a helmet, with a Link Lane shuttle bus parked on the street in the background.

Link Lane

For instructions on taking your bike on the Link Lane bus between Eugene and Florence, contact Link Lane.

Free Bike Parking

Free bike parking is available at all LTD stations.

Bike Lockers

Traditional bike lockers are available for rent at Amazon Station and in Cottage Grove. These locker rentals require a rental agreement and a refundable $25 deposit for a Kryptonite U-lock. Once reserved, you will be assigned a specific locker. For locker reservations, contact customer service .

Electronic bike lockers are available at Eugene and Santa Clara Stations. These lockers operate using the BikeLink card system. Renters can park their bikes for a few hours, overnight, or for several days. You only pay for the time you use, and there is no monthly or annual fee. BikeLink locker rentals cost 5 cents per hour, and cards must be purchased for an initial starting value of at least $20. To use these lockers, purchase a BikeLink card online  or at an  LTD Customer Service Center.

LTD is not responsible for lost or stolen bikes. For safety and security do not attach your bike to an LTD bus stop, shelter, or any other LTD property that is not designated for bike parking. LTD will remove and confiscate any bikes that are not parked in designated areas.