Bikes on Transit
All the public transportation options in the Bay Area are bike-friendly. Caltrain, VTA buses, VTA Light Rail, BART, Golden Gate Ferries, and even Stanford Marguerite shuttles accommodate bicycles with bike racks to mount bikes.
Bicycles on Caltrain
Dedicated Bike Cars
Caltrain offers two dedicated bike cars per seven-car train set, each well-marked. Passengers with bikes board first.Each bike car has a lower, mid, and upper level, with bike storage on the lower level. Security cameras are posted in each bike car to enhance security.
The great thing about the new electric trains, besides being faster and quieter, is the new step-up from the platform which makes loading your bike into the bike car easier.
How to Tag Your Bike
An important thing to remember is that you will need to tag your bike with a destination tag to indicate your beginning/end destination. Bike tags help cyclists organize their bikes by destination. Request a tag from the conductor or create one and attach it to your bike so others can easily see. Tip: avoid stacking your bike on top of a bike belonging to a cyclist who’s getting off at a stop before you.
If You Get 'Bumped'
Should you get “bumped” from a train due to overcapacity, fill out a bike bump form so Caltrain can continuously improve service. Read more information about Caltrain and biking.
Bicycles on the Bus
Most bikes will fit on the exterior racks fitted to the front of buses, including VTA buses. You’ll need to be able to lift your bike 1-2 feet in the air to place it in the rack. If you need help you can always ask the driver, but it’s best to ride a bike that you’re able to lift. Wait at the bus stop close to where you think the front of the vehicle will come to rest. When the bus approaches, signal to the driver that you have a bike you’d like to load. Drivers are used to cyclists loading their bikes, and may even lower the carriage of the bus to decrease the distance you’ll have to lift your bike. Once the bus stops and you’re sure the driver is aware of your intention, begin to load your bike.
The VTA has helpful info on taking bikes on their vehicles. And if you’re a visual learner, this quick video goes over how to load your bike on a bus bike rack. Don’t forget to remind your driver you’ll be removing your bike before you get off.
Bicycles on Marguerite
- You can load and unload bicycles at designated Marguerite bus stops.
- Helpful Tip: Each bicyclist is responsible for securing his/her bicycle in the exterior bike rack (and cargo area under the bus). The bus driver will not physically assist you in securing your bike.
- If the space on all the bike racks and cargo bays (on double-deckers) is full, wait for the next bus.
Resources
An excellent reference for all transportation-related services is at http://transit.511.org.
- Download the Mid-Peninsula Bike Map
Two of our team members share what they love about the ‘bikey life’.
I live in San Francisco and don't own a car, so biking is the quickest (and most fun) way for me to get around the city. My bike is like an extension of my body; it goes where I go! I feel lucky that I take my bike on Caltrain anytime I need to go somewhere, including to SRWC. Caltrain's bike-friendliness and ease-of-use allows me to live my best bikey life in the Bay. Taking my bike on Caltrain has always been easy, but the new electric trains make it super slick -- the step-up from the platform into the bike car is much easier to navigate now. And with on-board wifi, I can check my email during my trip.
I love the freedom and quickness of biking combined with the smoothness and calm of the train. My e-bike allows me to travel almost anywhere a car could go without the inconvenience of finding a parking spot. I also love that it saves me hundreds of dollars in gas every month. The new electric Caltrain cars provide an outlet under every seat so I don’t have to worry about my devices dying. I also love the new display screens that show which stop we’re approaching. Even when I have the option to drive to the office, I can get there quicker with my bike + train + bike commute. That time allows me to read and chat with friends – all much more productive than sitting in traffic!