Most SEPTA vehicles can accommodate bicycles, which we define as two-wheeled, manually powered or electrically assisted vehicles. Folding bicycles are permitted on all vehicles at all times.
Many SEPTA stations also have bicycle racks for customer convenience. See a list of locations with bicycle racks.
In the interest of customer safety and convenience, we do place some limitations on when and where bicycles may be permitted. When planning a trip, be sure to check the details below for the services you will use to ensure your bicycle is permitted.
General Guidelines
Remember the following simple guidelines when planning your trip.
- Avoid blocking doorways, interfering with the free movement of passengers, the operation of the vehicle, and the safety of the operation.
- Do not place your bicycle on a seat or in a space needed for passenger seating.
- Persons with bicycles on trains must use the same space provided to accommodate persons who use wheelchairs or have other mobility limitations. Be prepared to yield the space to a person with mobility limitations, even if that requires leaving the train.
- Make sure you are able to physically lift, properly store, and unload your own equipment.
- Walk alongside your bicycle in our facilities, and only use stairways and elevators to enter or exit. Please do not use escalators.
- If you have a folding bicycle, make sure it is fully collapsed before bringing it onto a vehicle as luggage. Otherwise, guidelines for non-folding bicycles will apply.
Vehicle operators and train crews are responsible for assessing conditions and implementing these guidelines based on their best judgment.
In case of emergency evacuation, all bicycles must remain on the vehicle. For this reason, we encourage you to affix owner identification information to your bicycle to assist in its return.
Many SEPTA facilities have bicycle racks. Information for particular stations is on our Regional Rail & Rail Transit Map. Please secure bikes only in designated areas.
Guidelines by Service
Notes
Major holidays are New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Center City stations include Penn Medicine, 30th Street, Suburban, Market East, and Temple University.
Group Travel
Bicyclists interested in group travel on Regional Rail should contact Rail Transportation at (215) 580-8403 at least five days in advance of the date they wish to coordinate the activity.
How to Use the On-Vehicle Bicycle Racks
Loading A Bicycle
- Before the vehicle arrives, remove all unsecured items from your bicycle, such as water bottles and air pump that might fall off.
- When the vehicle arrives, advise the operator that you will be stowing your bicycle.
- Load your bicycle from the curbside or front of the bus to avoid traffic in the adjacent lanes.
- Squeeze the handle at the top of the rack to release the latch and allow the rack to open.
- Place your bicycle onto the rack and fit the wheels into the labeled slots.
- Raise the support arm over the front tire so that the hook rests at the highest point of the front wheel.
Unloading A Bicycle
- As you exit the vehicle, advise the operator that you will be unloading your bicycle.
- Unload your bicycle from the curb side or front of the bus to avoid traffic in the adjacent lanes.
- Raise the support arm from the front tire. The support arm will automatically fold down into a secure position.
- Lift your bicycle out the rack.
- If there are no other bicycles on the rack being unloaded, squeeze the handle and close the rack.
- To ensure your safety, immediately step to the curb. Wait for the vehicle to pull away and check for traffic before crossing or riding onto the street.
