Bikes on Muni

Share this:

Combining bikes and Muni is a great way to get around San Francisco. Whether you’re putting your bike on the bus for a fun ride in Golden Gate Park or Treasure Island, or using it for your commute, bikes and Muni are a perfect travel combination.


Basics of Bikes on Muni

Buses: Every Muni bus is equipped with two or three bike racks on the front of the vehicle. Full-size bikes are allowed on bike racks. Only folding bikes are allowed inside the bus.
Metro and Light Rail Vehicles: Only folding bikes are allowed on Muni Metro and LRVs
Historic Vehicles: Only folding bikes are allowed on historic vehicles
Cable Cars: No bikes are allowed on cable cars


Loading a Bike onto a Muni Bus

  • Wait for the bus to make a customer stop.
  • Make eye contact with the operator before walking your bike to the rack; this is for your own safety.
  • Load your bike only from the curbside of the bus. Loading from the traffic side of the street is forbidden. Please follow these 3 steps to complete loading:
    1. Squeeze and hold the chrome release handle located on the top section of the bike rack, then lower the rack from its upright position into its locked, horizontal setting.

    2. Load your bike onto the front or back bike slot.

    3. Firmly grip and fully extend the spring-loaded bar up and over the front tire before lowering it into a fixed position.

  • Before boarding the bus, remove all loose items from your bike.

Removing a Bike from a Muni Bike Rack

  • Notify the bus operator that you will be removing your bike from the rack before your stop.

  • Exit from the front door.

  • Make eye contact with bus operator before removing your bike.

  • Unload the bike only from the closest curbside, never from the traffic side.

  • Follow these 3 steps to complete bike removal:

    1. Release the spring-loaded bar from the front tire and reset it to its original position.

    2. Remove your bike from the rack.

    3. Return the bike rack to its upright, locked position by squeezing the chrome release handle before resetting it to its front loaded position.

  • For your safety, you will need to step away from the bus towards the curb to avoid oncoming auto traffic.


Bike Rack Rules

Customers may use Muni bike racks at their own risk.

  • Muni assumes no responsibility for bikes that are stolen, damaged, lost, or left on racks.

  • The cyclist assumes full responsibility for loading and unloading their bike. Operators will not provide assistance.

  • Bike racks are available during all hours of operation, on a first come, first served basis, with a limit of two bikes per rack. No service charge or permit is needed.

  • Before loading a bike, a cyclist must make eye contact with the bus operator, in order to make sure that the cyclist is seen and all safety precautions are taken.

  • All exterior items that are loose or may impede rack use, such as air pumps, saddlebags, luggage, front mounted horizontal racks or baskets, must be removed from the bicycle. Rear-mounted racks, baskets, and child seats are permitted.

  • Bike racks cannot accommodate handlebars that exceed 42 inches, tires wider than 3 inches, tricycles, or motorized bikes.

  • All two-wheeled bikes, single rider bikes (road bikes, mountain bikes, pre-teen, and junior bikes) must have a wheel size of 20 inches or larger, no exceptions.

  • Customers may not lock a bike to the Muni bike rack.


Rules for Folding Bicycles and Scooters (Powered and Non-Powered):

  • Must be folded and kept with their owner.

  • Must be carried in folded position on board vehicles, around stations and on platforms.

  • Cannot be placed on or block seats.

  • Cannot not interfere with customer movement.

  • Cannot block wheelchair access and movement.


Lost Your Bike On Muni?

If it was less than 4 hours ago, please call the  San Francisco 311 Customer Service Center. Otherwise, please call the San Francisco 311 Customer Service Center or use the self-service form.


REPORT A MISSING OR BROKEN BIKE RACK to 311.

Include specific bus number and route (for example, bus #8214, 47 Van Ness)