Bikes on the Train

• Cyclists should prominently display bike destination tags to indicate where they are getting off the train.

• Bike tags are used to let other bike passengers know at which station you will be disembarking, helping cyclists stack bikes in an organized manner so bikes destined for nearby stops are easier to access.

• Riders can request a tag from the conductor or create one (PDF) and attach it their bike in a place that can be readily seen by others.

Bike Destination Tag Example

Note: Caltrain may alter the rules/guidelines at any time, as necessary.

General

• The conductor, at his or her discretion, may decline transportation or revise the handling of bicycles/scooters due to crowded trains, bicycle/scooter condition, or unsafe conditions.
• Bikes/scooters are not allowed to be locked to the train.
• There is no charge to bring a bicycle/scooter on board.

Platform

• For safety reasons, bicycles/scooters cannot be taken on escalators and must not be ridden in train stations, on station platforms or ramps.

Loading/Unloading

• Cyclists must be able to load and unload their bikes, without assistance.
• Passengers with bicycles board first on designated bike cars.
• In order to reduce delays, the first cyclists boarding should move in as far as possible so other cyclists have space to board the train.
• Stack bikes so that bikes with nearby destinations are accessible.

Bicycle Types

• Cyclist must lift and maneuver their own bicycle onboard the train without causing a hazard to other passengers.  Conductors may not assist with bicycles onboard the train. 
• Bicycle stalls vary in length; length is 71 inches on Bombardier and 80 inches on Gallery cars and must fit in designated stall without protruding into the aisle.
• Fuel-powered, tandem or three-wheel bicycles are not allowed.
• Training wheels, detachable or collapsible trailers or large, bulky attachments which expand bicycle width, such as saddlebags, baskets, backpacks or briefcases, are not allowed.
• Bicycles must have no protrusions which could cause injury or damage.
• Bicycles must be kept clean and free of excessive dirt and grease.

Folding Bikes

• Folding bikes are allowed on any train car as they are no wider than 32 inches at the widest point.
• Folding bikes must be in the folded position prior to boarding and must remain under the control of the owner while on board.
• Folding bikes must be able to be stored under the seat or be placed in the luggage racks provided by Caltrain.
• Folding bikes may not be placed on seats and must not block aisles, stairs or vestibules.
• Folding bikes may not be stored in the space reserved for passengers wheelchairs.
• Folding bikes that are not in the bike rack must remain folded until the passenger has fully left the train.
• Dirt or grease from folding bikes must not be transferred to the interior of the car, other passengers, or crew members. If the bike is dirty, it must be placed in a bag to prevent soiling of the rail car. It is at the conductors' discretion to reject the boarding of a folding bike that they determine is not protected and appears to be greasy or dirty.

Folding Scooters

• Folding scooters must be in the folded position prior to boarding and must remain under the control of the owner while on board.
• Folding scooters can accompany a person to a seat if it is small enough to fit between the legs of a seated customer, can be stored under the seat, or placed in the luggage racks provided by Caltrain.
• Folding scooters may not be placed on seats and must not block aisles, stairs or vestibules.
• Folding scooters may not be stored in the space reserved for passengers wheelchairs.
• Folding scooters that are not in the luggage car must remain folded until the passenger has fully left the train.
• Dirt or grease from folding scooters must not be transferred to the interior of the car, other passengers, or crew members. If the scooter is dirty, it must be placed in a bag to prevent soiling of the rail car. It is at the conductors' discretion to reject the boarding of a folding scooter that they determine is not protected and appears to be greasy or dirty.

Non-Folding Scooters

• Electric or manually operated non-folding scooters are permitted on Caltrain.
• No fuel-powered scooters are permitted.
• Non-folding scooters should be parked in the bike car, parallel to the bike racks and secured with a bungee.
• Non-folding scooters should prominently display a destination tag to indicate where they are getting off the train (tags are used to let other scooter/bike passengers know at which station you will be disembarking, helping riders to stack scooters/bikes in an organized manner so scooters destined for nearby stops are easier to access. Riders can request a tag from the conductor or create one(PDF) and attach it the scooter in a place that can be readily seen by others).
• Scooters must not protrude into the aisle.
• Large, bulky attachments which expand scooter width, such as saddlebags, baskets, backpacks or briefcases, are not allowed.
• Scooters must have no protrusions which could cause injury or damage.
• Scooters must be kept clean and free of excessive dirt and grease.

• Cyclists are legally responsible for
  - any damage to the train's equipment
  - and/or for any injury to other passengers or train personnel
    as a result of the cyclist's negligence.

• Caltrain is not responsible for
  - any theft
  - or damage to bicycles
    while on the train.

Caltrain currently has two types of diesel trains:

• Gallery trains have two bike cars and are limited to 40 bikes per bike car (80 bikes total per train)

• Bombardier trains are, under normal circumstances, six-car trainsets, equipped with three bike cars;
  however, due to the pandemic and current ridership, Caltrain is running four-car trainsets with two bike cars.
  At this time, all bike riders have space in the two bike cars and there is space for more.
  Caltrain will continue to monitor evolving COVID-19 requirements and ridership demands.
  Thank you for your patience during this time.

• Look for the yellow Bike Car sign near the doors indicating which train cars allow bikes on board. 

   

If you have been "bumped" from a train (not allowed onboard due to overcapacity), please use the online form below. This list is reviewed by the BATAC.