Biking is a healthy, affordable, and fast way to get to and from your bus stop or rail station. NFTA Metro welcomes bikes on all our bus routes and on the rail. Read on to learn everything you need to know about combining bikes and transit to get where you need to go.

Benefits of Biking to Transit

  1. Save money – Biking to transit is cheaper than driving or taking a cab. You’ll save money on gas, parking, and other car expenses.
  2. Stay active – The U.S. surgeon general recommends 30 minutes of exercise per day for adults. Biking is a great way to make that a part of your everyday routine.
  3. Save time – Biking will get you to the bus or rail station faster than walking. For short trips, biking takes about the same amount of time as driving.
  4. Be environmentally friendly – Biking and taking transit is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help improve air quality.

Bring your bike on the bus

All Metro buses are equipped with a bike rack that can hold 2 bikes. Watch our video to learn more about using a bus bike rack.

To summarize:
  • At the bus stop, wait for the bus on the sidewalk with your bike.
  • After the bus has come to a complete stop, make eye contact with the bus driver, and then step into the roadway in front of the bus. Bus drivers cannot leave the bus to help you load your bike.
  • Squeeze the handle on the top of the bike rack to lower the bike rack.
  • Lift your bike onto the bike rack. Pull on the support arm (hook), which expands sideways, and swing the arm over the top of the front wheel of your bike. Make sure the hook is snug against the top of your front wheel.
  • Board the bus and pay your fare.
  • If possible, sit or stand near the front of the bus to keep an eye on your bike.
  • At your stop, tell the bus driver that you will be picking up your bike.
  • Exit the bus through the front door and take your bike off the bike rack.
  • If the bike rack is empty, squeeze the handle to fold the bike rack back up.
Please remember:
  • Remove all bags and loose items from your bike before loading it on the bus bike rack.
  • Do not lock your bike to the bus bike rack.
  • Folding bikes with wheels that are 20 inches or smaller can be taken on board Metro buses. Please make sure your bike is not blocking the aisle or door.
  • Recumbent bicycles do not fit on Metro bus bike racks, and they cannot be carried on board.

 

Bring your bike on the rail

NFTA Metro welcomes up to 2 bikes on each Metro Rail car. When bringing your bike on the Metro Rail, follow these guidelines:

  • Use the stairs or the elevator (not the escalator) to access the rail platform at underground stations.
  • Consider boarding through the first door at the front of the train in order to take advantage of the elevated platforms at downtown (above ground) stations.
  • When boarding the rail, please wait until other passengers have boarded.
  • Board with your bike at the front or rear of the rail car, in the area designated for wheelchairs or strollers. Sit or stand next to your bike.
  • If a customer in a wheelchair boards your rail car and needs that space, please be considerate and move to the other end of the rail car.

 

If you forget your bike

If you accidentally leave your bike on the bus or rail, call Customer Care at 716-855-7211.

How to Lock your Bike


Credit: NYC DOT (Bike Smart Guide)

Remember:

  • Never leave your bike unattended, even for a minute.
  • Lock your bike frame (not the wheel) to a fixed object. Make sure that the fixed object is securely bolted to the ground. If possible, also lock removable parts such as wheels and seats.
  • Use a U-Lock. Don’t rely on a cable lock, which can easily be cut. Inexpensive Kryptonite U-Locks are available at Go Bike Buffalo’s Community Bicycle Workshop at 98 Colvin Ave.
  • Register your bike – this can help you get the bike back if it is stolen. Visit Go Bike Buffalo’s website to learn more.

 

Safe Bicycling

Following these basic rules of the road can help keep you safe while biking:

  • Ride in the same direction as traffic on the right side of the road, at least 3 feet from the curb or the parked cars. This helps keep you visible and away from car doors that may suddenly open. Don’t ride against (facing) the flow of traffic.
  • Be predictable. Avoid sudden stops and swerves, and use hand signals when turning or stopping.

    Credit: NYC DOT (Bike Smart Guide)

  • Obey stop signs, traffic signals, and pavement markings, and yield to pedestrians.
  • Install a headlight and a taillight and turn them on at night or whenever light is low.
  • Cross train tracks at a right angle. Expect a train from any direction, on any track at any time. Always look and listen before crossing tracks.

 

Safety Around Buses

Bikes and buses share the right side of the right lane, move at similar speeds, and often cross paths. Bus drivers are trained to give bikes plenty of room, but bicyclists should exercise extra caution around buses and all large vehicles because they have larger blind spots than cars.


Credit: NYC DOT (Bike Smart Guide)

Remember:

  • If you need to pass a bus, do so on the left. Do not pass the bus on the right. Buses frequently pull over to the right to pick up passengers, and the bus driver may not see you coming up the right side of the bus.
  • If possible, avoid “playing hop scotch” with a bus. Because bikes and buses often travel at similar speeds, you may encounter the same bus several times in the space of a few minutes. Consider slowing down, speeding up, or pulling over to the side of the road to let the bus get away.

 

Bicycle Parking near NFTA Metro Facilities

There is free bicycle parking in the following locations:

Rail Stations

Location
Spaces
Description
Covered
Indoors
Erie Canal Harbor Station / Special Events Station
6
3 bike racks on the southwest corner of Main St and Marine Dr, near the community garden
no
no
Seneca Station
2
1 bike rack across the street from the outbound platform
no
no
Church Station
4
outbound: 1 bike rack located on the sidewalk side of the platform inbound: 1 bike rack located north of the platform (across the street from the outbound platform)
no
no
Lafayette Station
6
outbound: 1 bike rack in the waiting area of the outbound platform; 1 bike rack north of the platform inbound: 1 bike rack south of the platform
no
no
Fountain Plaza Station
6
inbound: 2 bike racks just north of Rotary Rink, near the sidewalk outbound: 1 bike rack north of the platform
no
no
Allen Station
100
50+ bike racks right outside the station, in the covered area between Main St and Washington St
yes
no
Summer Best Station
4
2 bike racks inside the station at street level
yes
yes
Utica Station
2
1 bike rack near the escalator inside the station at street level
yes
yes
Delavan Canisius College Station
4
2 bike racks inside the station at street level
yes
yes
Humboldt Hospital Station
8
2 bike racks on each side of Main Street, at street level inside the stations
yes
yes
Amherst Station
2
1 bike rack just outside the station on the corner of Amherst St and Parker Ave
no
no
LaSalle Station
8
4 bike racks just outside station on the north side
yes
no
University Station - Kiss & Ride level
6
3 bike racks upstairs inside the station at the "kiss & ride" level
yes
yes

Bus Stations / Transit Hubs

Location
Address
Spaces
Description
Covered
Indoors
Black Rock Riverside Transit Hub
2259 Niagara St, Buffalo, NY 14207
8
4 bike racks near the covered waiting area
no
no
Portage Road Transit Center
1124 Portage Road, Niagara Falls 14301
2
1 bike rack on the side of the bus station, near Portage Road
no
no
Niagara Falls Transit Center
2180 Factory Outlet Blvd, Niagara Falls NY 14301
10
5 spots on the north side and 5 spots on the south side of the building
no
no
Appletree Transit Center
Union Rd & Bennett Road (south side of Appletree Business Park)
4
2 bike racks between bus shelters
no
no
Southgate Plaza Transit Center
950 Union Road, West Seneca, NY 14224
3
1 bike rack on the south side of the shelters
no
no
Main & Niagara
Main St & Niagara St (south west corner), Tonawanda, NY
2
Bike rack behind bus shelter
no
no
Metropolitan Transportation Center
181 Ellicott St, Buffalo, NY
12
6 bike racks under awning at Ellicott St entrance
yes
no

Reddy Bike

Reddy Bikeshare is a healthy, fun and easy way to get around Buffalo. Join Reddy Bikeshare to gain access to all 400 Reddy Bikes at 90 stations.

Sharing them gives you the flexibility to return a bike to any designated location. Download the SoBi app on your mobile device, or on the web at app.socialbicycles.com to get started. Use the app to reserve a bike or simply walk up to it and enter your account number and PIN on the bike’s keypad.

Reddy bikes are a great way to get to and from your bus stop or rail station. Reddy bike stations can be found at the Metropolitan Transit Center (bus station) at 181 Ellicott Street, and at the following rail stations: University (kiss and ride level), LaSalle, Amherst, Delavan/Canisius College, Summer-Best, Allen Medical Campus, Fountain Plaza, and Church. Free Reddy bike parking zones exist along Elmwood Avenue in Elmwood Village, Main Street downtown, Allen Street, and Hertel Avenue, check the map online or on the app for more locations.

Visit Reddy Bikeshare for more information.

 

Find a Bike Buddy

Go Buffalo Niagara can help you find a bike buddy – someone in your neighborhood who can show you the ropes. Visit https://www.511nyrideshare.org/web/go-buffalo-niagara/ and create an account to get started.

More Bicycling Information

Connect with our partners for a wealth of information about biking and commuting.

Go Bike Buffalo can help you get a bike, repair a bike, join a bike ride, and learn more about how Buffalo is becoming more bicycle friendly.

Go Buffalo Niagara can help you learn more about transportation options such as transit, biking, and walking.