Taking Bikes on BART Trains
Please observe all bike rules if you plan on taking a bike on a train. Although bikes are allowed on all trains at all times, there are some important exceptions:
- Bikes are never allowed on crowded cars (there must be enough room to comfortably accommodate you and your bicycle)
- Bikes are never allowed on the first car of any train
As of January 1, 2024 bikes are allowed on most escalators. Bicyclists must yield to other passengers and not block aisles or doors. If you are taking your bike on BART, it's your responsibility to know and follow all bike rules; please read them.
Bay Wheels and other shared micromobility devices such as dockless scooters should be left in the appropriate locations outside BART stations and not brought onboard trains. Most BART stations in San Francisco and Oakland will have a Bay Wheels station and numerous electric scooters available for short term rental at the end of your BART ride.
To assist BART riders who wish to bring the growing number of larger, heavier cargo and electric assist bikes with them on BART, we are publicizing the dimensions BART elevators in this BART Elevator Dimension Guide.
Taking Bikes on Escalators
Bikes are allowed on escalators throughout the BART system with the exception of ten narrow escalators located at the following three stations: 19th Street Oakland, Antioch and Oakland Airport Connector.
Please see the video below for tips on how to safely bring bikes on BART escalators.
Bike + Transit Trips
BART's Trip Planner offers multi-modal, end-to-end itineraries for bike + transit trips. It features customizable bike speed options including an option for e-bikes (select the settings/tool icon to customize your options). BART's Trip Planner includes results for more than 30 transit systems in the Bay Area such as bus service, ferries, cable cars, and regional train systems.
BART's Trip Planner is available on web, mobile, and the official BART app. The BART app also offers station information, including information on secured bike parking.
Elevator Dimension Guide
BART understands that many bikes these days are big. In recent years, longer and heavier bicycles, such as e-bikes and cargo bikes, have soared in popularity. We have created this Elevator Dimension Guide to assist cyclists in navigating BART elevators. It outlines the dimensions of each elevator in the system including measurements of the door, width, length, and diagonal space across the floor. As always, use your best judgment when utilizing system elevators because individual bikes and elevators vary in size.
Bicycle Stairway Channels
New bicycle stairway channels were recently installed at 19th Street Oakland, 12th Street Oakland, Coliseum, and Walnut Creek stations and are in the works for four more stations: Lake Merritt, Embarcadero, Civic Center, and 24th Street Mission. Bicycles stairway channels allow cyclists to push, rather than carry, their bikes up and down stairs to access BART stations. The stairways are selected to create preferred paths of travel for cyclists leading primarily to bike parking, making it easier to access BART by bike and reducing bicycles on escalators and more crowded stairways.
Bike Space on New Trains
Based on user feedback, the original "clamper" bike racks on the new trains have been phased out and replaced with a configuration similar to that on BART's legacy fleet. Each new Fleet of the Future train car has two bicycle priority areas that has a horizontal lean bar and straps that bicyclists can use to secure their bikes. The lean bar will also accommodate more standing passengers, luggage, and strollers when not used by bikes. A decal on the wall notes it is a bike-priority area.
Caltrans Peak Period Bike Shuttle
During peak periods as an alternative to bringing your bike on BART, Caltrans operates a bike shuttle between MacArthur BART and downtown San Francisco (corner of Folsom and Main Street). For the schedule and additional information visit: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist4/shuttle.htm
Motorized Scooters, Motorcycles, Motor-Driven Cycles and Mopeds
BART does not permit motorcycles, motor-driven cycles or mopeds, which are classified as vehicles and defined in the California Vehicle Code (CVC; info here), to be brought onboard trains. Individuals bringing any of these vehicles on a BART train may be cited for an infraction, as violating section 21113 of the Vehicle Code. Under CVC Section 670, a "vehicle" is "any device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn on a highway, excepting a device moved by exclusively human power…."
Motorized scooters, including electric-assist scooters, are also considered vehicles and are prohibited inside BART stations and onboard BART trains unless they can be folded and carried. No special permit is required from BART for folding electric scooters, but they must remain folded and may not be ridden when inside BART stations and trains. Shared use, app-based electric rental scooters (e.g. Lime, Spin, Veo) may not be brought inside stations or onboard trains and must be parked appropriately outside the paid area.
Trip Ideas
BARTable offers detailed bike routes from our stations that make it easy to explore new areas and trails. From an adventurous ride to the top of Mt. Diablo to casual cruises around fun neighborhoods, our guide has you covered.
BART’s Trip Planner on our website and official app lets you select bicycling as a segment of your trip and offers end-to-end directions including how long the trip will take. Under options, turn on “bicycle transport.” You can even select various cycling speed to adjust travel time predictions.