Metra’s Bikes on Trains program is designed to enable cyclists to bring their standard-form bicycles on board trains during weekday off-peak hours and on weekends. Three bicycles are allowed in the priority seating area in each accessible diesel rail car; two in each electric railcar. There is no additional charge to your Metra fare to take a bicycle on board the train.

Click here to find the line on which you would like to travel. There you can confirm the number of bicycles allowed on a particular train and see if other added special events will impact the Bikes on Trains program. Station posters and train schedules also include the number of allowed bicycles on a train.

Cyclists will be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis. Metra reserves the right to prohibit bicycles if coaches are crowded or access is impeded, and we make no assurances that space will be available for bicycles. Standard bicycles that do not exceed 70 inches in length are permitted on designated trains; tricycles, tandems, trailers, bulky attachments, training wheels or powered bicycles are prohibited.

Additionally, individual cyclists must be at least 16 years old. Riders aged 12 through 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 12 are not permitted.

Cyclists must yield priority seating to seniors and customers with disabilities and may be required to leave the train at any time if the priority seating space is needed for customers with disabilities.

Bicycles are permitted on all weekday trains arriving in Chicago after 9:30 AM and leaving Chicago before 3:00 PM and after 7:00 PM, and on all weekend trains, with the following exceptions:

• Blues Fest June 12 - 14 (weekend only: June 13 & 14)
• All days during Taste of Chicago June 26 - July 5
• Lollapalooza August 7 - 9
• Air and Water Show August 15 - 16
• Jazz Fest September 4 - 6 (weekend only: September 5 & 6)

To ensure safety for all, cyclists must follow instructions of Metra personnel. Cyclists are legally responsible for any damage to the train’s equipment and/or any injury or damage to other passengers or train personnel that result from a cyclist’s negligence.

When boarding, we ask that cyclists be considerate and allow other passengers or mobility devices to board and alight before carrying their bicycles on or off the train. Also please note that train crews are not required to assist with boarding bicycles, nor will the wheelchair lift be used to load or unload bicycles.

On our diesel lines, the train car is identified by the "access" symbol. If passengers with mobility devices are occupying all priority seating areas, cyclists must wait for the next train. The train crew will make the final decisions regarding the ability to accommodate bicycles on each train.

Bicycles must be clean and free of dirt and grease while aboard Metra trains. Bicycles that present a hazard to other customers, Metra facilities or personnel are prohibited.

Bicycles must be secured to the lower rail of folding seats in the designated priority seating area with bungee cords or other devices supplied by the cyclist that will adequately secure the bicycle. Bicycles cannot block aisles or impede passenger movement. Cyclists must stay in the same car with their bicycles at all times.

All passengers must exit the train before you and your bicycle, and always wait until the train makes a complete stop before you move up the aisle. Please also make sure to take extra caution to not bump your bicycle against passengers or seats. Lift your bicycle as you walk down the steps.

Folding bicycles in protective covers are permitted on all trains at all times but should not block train aisles or doorways.

If there is an emergency, cyclists must leave their bicycles on the train so as to not block aisles or doors.

Union Station: Exit to Clinton Street through cab courts.

Ogilvie Transportation Center: Use accessible doors at west side of train concourse. Take the elevator to main floor and depart through the Washington Boulevard exit. No exit to Madison Street. Do not use narrow stairways to the suburban concourse.

LaSalle Street: Exit using stairs, escalators, or elevator.

Millennium Station: Exit using stairs or elevator at either South Water or Randolph Street.

Van Buren Street: Exit using elevator at Van Buren Street for Michigan Avenue access.

Visit the City of Chicago Department of Transportation Bicycle Program Web site at Chicagobikes.org for free publications including a map showing the best streets for cycling in Chicago. Additional resources for biking throughout Cook DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, can be found by visiting the League of Illinois Bicycles at bikelib.org and the Active Transportation Alliance (formerly Chicagoland Bicycle Federation) at biketraffic.org.

Click here to see official rules and regulations for 2009.