With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Dear LAist: Can I Take My Bike On Metro Trains?
A man rides his bicycle with a dog in the basket in car-free streets during CicLAvia (CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/Getty Images)
Safety improvements for cyclists in Los Angeles have been slow at best. Some bike lanes have been added in heavily trafficked areas, new safety measures have been tested and two-way bike lanes were installed, with other projects in various stages of completion.
But as the city slogs through those changes, some two-wheeled-vehicle enthusiasts are anxious to know just how far they can travel through the city with their bikes, and how those bikes can be transported. To that end, LAist reader Scott sent us a question:,
"Is biking and using the rail a viable combination in L.A.? In D.C., you couldn't use rail with a bike in tow during rush hours."
According to Metro's website, you can bring bicycles on busses and trains at any time of day or night. All busses are equipped with at least two bike racks located near their front bumpers. Trains offer open areas designated for bikes, strollers and other bulky objects, which are marked with a yellow strip and illustrations about what the space is to be used for.
Sponsored message
If the designated areas are full, Metro advises riders to wait for the next train (or bus).
But congestion isn't the only possible roadblock; bike parking and theft has also been a concern. In 2018, 80 bicycles were reported stolen from various Metro train stations. Most of those thefts occurred overnight, with the highest numbers at Expo Line stations.
Currently, Metro offers bike racks, bike lockers and indoor bike hubs for storage. According to a recent report, Metro has bike racks at "virtually every" station, and bike lockers at 53 locations.
We Love To Answer Your Questions
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
