If your destination is too far to walk or bicycle, but you are relatively close to a bus or light rail line, combining Active Transportation and transit may be a great option for you.

Below you will find suggestions for using bikes and transit together, and how transit can make bicycling a better option:

  • Suburban to City Commute: Bicycle commute one way, take the train or bus home. Use your bike for quick access to more places to eat or shop during lunch. If it's raining, avoid getting wet by taking your bike with you on transit.
  • Suburban to Suburban Commute: Bicycle to a train, bus or light rail line. Take the train or bus to a stop near your workplace, then bicycle to your destination.
  • Cross rivers and lakes: Many bridges do not have bicycle or pedestrian access. Bringing your bike onboard a bus, train, or ferry can be the answer.
  • Carpooling: Ride with a friend to their worksite and then bicycle the rest of the way to work, or bicycle to work with a fellow employee
  • Use two bikes: If you can't bring your bike on transit, try keeping an inexpensive bike parked at each end of your transit ride.
  • Use a folding bike: Folding bikes are small and can be carried onto almost all vehicles. This is especially helpful on airplanes and Amtrak, which limits bicycle access on many trains.
  • Traveling: For someone visiting a city on business, a bike is a great way to explore new areas.
    ~ Adapted from bikemap.com

Tips for Transit Systems and Municipalities:

  • Promote using a bike with transit: Try placing stickers on the outside of regional rail cars that say bicycles are welcome.
  • Add bike racks on buses: 95% of the cost of installing bike racks can be covered through federal funds.
  • Welcome bikes on rail cars: Bicycles should be welcomed, and there should be information about bicycle policies placed in schedules.
  • Install bike parking at all stops: Bike racks, covered bike parking, and bike lockers can encourage people to use bikes and transit.
  • Regional Bike Plans: Transit systems can work with municipalities to include transit in the bicycle planning process so the modes can be used together safely.
  • Bike on Bus programs can attract new patrons, encourage increased transit use and expand transit service areas, all with a minimal investment. More...
  • Sportworks offers a line of bike racks for buses and quick-load bike racks for personal use.

Not sure how to transport your bike on a bus or light rail line? Follow this link to view instructional videos (scroll down to the bottom of the page).

Read about the health benefits of using transit (PDF) or about the Integration of Bicycles and Transit (PDF).

Use Google Transit to plan a trip around Portland, Oregon.