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
• Bikes are not allowed in the first three cars during commute hours (7:00 to 9:00 AM and 4:30 to 6:30 PM)

Bikes are not allowed on 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.

Bikes at BART Basics

More BART riders are biking to and from stations every day.  It’s a healthy alternative and like walking it’s easy on the environment.  Almost all BART stations have bike racks, most BART stations have bike lockers and four BART stations now have Bike Stations.  Details are included below and on each station page on bart.gov.

If you are leaving your bike at a BART station make sure it is locked well.  Whether you’re taking your bike on board or parking it at a station, make sure you record your bike’s serial number along with a description of the bike.  This will greatly increase your chance of recovery if it is stolen.  Also check out the San Francisco Bike Coaltion's excellent video on how to lock your bike properly.

Bike Theft Prevention Outreach

BART and Bike East Bay (formerly the East Bay Bike Coalition) are teaming up to bring bike theft prevention tips to BART riders. Bike theft is an ongoing problem, but with the right equipment and knowledge cyclists can reduce their chance of having a bicycle stolen.

From now through the summer of 2015, representatives from Bike East Bay will be at BART stations throughout the system during the evening commute, talking to riders about bicycle security and handing out free theft prevention materials.

The program will provide cyclists and potential cyclists with:

• Discounts on sturdy U-locks
• BikeLink starter cards (to get individuals started using BART bike lockers and Bike Stations)
• Assistance with bike registration

Bike Lockers

Two types of lockers are available to store bicycles, mopeds or wheelchairs: keyed lockers and electronic lockers.

Keyed lockers are for single-use and require a rental agreement. Note that some stations have wait lists. Please contact (510) 464-7133 for locker availability. Download the application/rental agreement (.pdf).

Electronic lockers are for shared use and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  To use an electronic locker at any BART statiion you'll need a BikeLink Card.  Additional information on how to use the lockers can be found at bikelink.org.  Electronic lockers are located at the following stations:

The electronic bicycle lockers provide on-demand bike parking. Purchase a smart card online or at a convenient vendor location. Ride up to an available locker and insert your smart card into the card slot. Follow on-screen directions to put time on the meter. The cost, 3 to 5 cents an hour depending on occupancy levels at the station, is automatically deducted from your smart card. Park your bike inside, close the door, and your bike remains secure. When you return to retrieve your bike, just insert your smart card into the slot to open the door. Unused time and value are automatically refunded back to the card. Learn more about <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMBkkSGHNWs&feature=" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMBkkSGHNWs&feature=" plcp"="" target="_blank">how to use electronic bicycle lockers or review a list of frequently asked questions on the BikeLink website.

Bike Stations

Ashby BART Station
Located just outside the main entrance to the station on the lower (West) side of the station. This is a self-serve facility and requires a BikeLink Card for access.

Downtown Berkeley BART Station
Located at 2208 Shattuck Avenue, just steps from the BART entrance at Allston Way and Shattuck Avenue. Attendants will store your bike in a secure area while you work, play or shop on BART. Learn more ...

Embarcadero BART Station
Located on the concourse level of the Embarcadero BART Station in downtown San Francisco directly below Market Street near the Davis Street entrance. Learn more ...

Fruitvale BART Station
Located in Fruitvale Village, adjacent to the Fruitvale BART Station in Oakland. It's the second largest bike station in the nation and features free, secure bike storage and a full-service bike repair shop. Learn more ...

19th Street Oakland BART Station
Opening Soon.  Located at 1703 Broadway (corner of 19th and Broadway) just steps from BART. Attendants will store your bike in a secure area while you work, play or shop on BART.  Anticipated opening Janaury 2015.

Abandoned Bicycles—Removal Policy

The intent of the abandoned bike removal policy is to ensure that parking areas remain available for the parking of bicycles that are being actively used by BART riders.  Bicycles which appear to be abandoned on BART property as evidenced by signs of disuse or neglect will be impounded.

A bicycle can appear abandoned for the following types of reasons:

• Non-working condition as evidenced by uninflated tires, bent wheels, broken frame, chain off or missing essential parts
• Bicycle covered with dust, rust, cobwebs, etc.
• Bicycle observed as unused over prolonged period

When a bicycle appears to be abandoned, a 72 hour notice will be placed on the bicycle.  If the bicycle is not removed within 72 hours, it will be impounded.

Impounded bikes will be stored for only 90 days.  If you believe your bike has been impounded contact BART Lost and Found (510 464-7090 or http://www.bart.gov/lostandfound) with the serial number, registration, receipt, photograph or detailed description of the bike.

2012 BART Bicycle Plan

 The BART Bicycle Plan and Appendices outline specific strategeis to implement over the next ten years to make it easier to use a bicycle to get to and from BART.  The plan's goal is to double the percentage of passengers who access BART by bicycle from approximately 4% to 8% by 2022. The strategies within the plan are organized into five areas: cyclist circulation, plentiful parking, beyond BART boundaries, bikes on BART and persuasive programs.

 Bike Parking Capital Plan

The BART Bike Parking Capital Plan details expansion plans for secure bike parking at BART stations.  The program contains plans for 2,000 additional secure parking spaces at 18 stations.  The projects are in various stages of development from funded and under construction to purely conceptual.

Questions about the plans can be directed to Steve Beroldo, sberold@bart.gov.

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

Scooters and Mopeds

The District does not permit scooters or mopeds on BART trains.  The California Vehicle Code (under section 21113) prohibits the circulation of all vehicles on rapid transit district grounds, except where the District has given permission.   Electric scooters and mopeds are classified as vehicles, not bicycles.  Under Vehicle Code 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 human power."

Individuals bringing a scooter or moped on a BART train may be cited for an infraction, as violating section 21113 of the Vehicle Code.

Photo credit: Photos of bikes on this page by Thomas Hawk.