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Bike regulations for the Long Island Rail Road

Updated Mar 19, 2024
Here are rules for taking your bike on LIRR trains.

Personal Electronic Vehicles

If you have a Personal Electronic Vehicle (PEV), the MTA's PEV policy applies.
Read the PEV policy.

Traveling With Bicycles

  • All bicycles carried on board must be clean and free of excessive dirt and grease at all times. 
  • Please keep bicycles clear of aisles and do not block vestibule doors. 
  • Watch the gap while entering and exiting the train with bicycles. 
  • Cyclists must remain in immediate proximity and in full control of their bicycles at all times.

Types of Bicycles

  • Single-seat, human-powered, two-wheeled vehicle, with a wheel diameter not in excess of 27 inches and maximum dimensions of 80" in length and 48" in height. 
  • Not permitted: Bicycles in excess of the above dimensions, as well as tandem, motorized, or training-wheeled bicycles, tricycles, or bicycles with any protrusions that could cause injury or damage.
  • True folding bicycles may be brought on board all trains, but must remain folded at all times. Please see below for details on the folding bicycle policy.

On Train Storage

Cyclists must have a suitable cord/chain to secure the bicycle on the train at all times. Bicycles must remain in the immediate custody of the cyclist, who will be responsible for their safekeeping and will secure the bicycles so that they do not pose a hazard to customers. Bicycles cannot block aisles or impede passenger movement. Cyclists must be able to move the bicycle at the request of a LIRR Employee or Police. The kickstand of the bicycle must remain up at all times.

Cyclists must yield available space to customers with limited mobility.

Storage area varies by car type as follows:

  • Diesel/Bilevel Cars: Bicycles must be stored on the boarding level, in the benched-seating area; preference must be given to customers with limited mobility.
  • Electric Cars: Bicycles must be secured in vestibule areas designated by the train crew.

Number of Bicycles Per Train

Cyclists will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis, and we make no assurances that space will be available for bicycles. The LIRR reserves the right to designate additional trains where bicycles will not be permitted. In addition, train crews may bar bicycles from trains if the bicycles cannot be accommodated because of conditions which interfere with the safety and comfort of other customers, including occasions of heavy ridership or equipment shortages. Consequently, the carriage of bicycles on a given train or for a continuous journey on connecting trains cannot be guaranteed.

  • Weekdays: 4 bicycles per train: 2 in the first car and 2 two in the last car, unless otherwise directed by the train crew
  • Weekends: 1 bicycle per car; maximum 8 per train, excluding weekend bicycle trains below, unless otherwise directed by the train crew

Weekend Bike Trains

During the summer months, certain trains are designated as "Bicycle Trains" and may carry up to two bicycles per car. The list includes trains on the following branches: Babylon, Montauk, Oyster Bay, Port Jefferson, and Ronkonkoma/Greenport. These trains have a bicycle+ symbol by the train number on our branch timetables, which are available online.

Bike Restrictions

The TrainTime app will show whether any of these restrictions are applicable to your trip.

All year

  • Weekday morning westbound trains arriving NYC between 6-10 a.m.
  • Weekday afternoon eastbound trains departing NYC between 3-8 p.m.

Summer – Friday before Memorial Day through Tuesday after Labor Day:

  • Fridays: Eastbound trains to Montauk departing NYC between 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.
  • Saturdays: The 7:58 a.m. train from Grand Central to Ronkonkoma and its connecting train to Greenport.
  • Sundays:
    • Montauk Branch westbound trains arriving NYC between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
    • The 4:51 p.m. train from Greenport to Ronkonkoma.
    • The 6:22 p.m. train from Montauk to Penn Station.
  • Mondays: The 7:18 a.m. train from Montauk to Hunterspoint Avenue (in addition to the year-round 6 a.m.-10 a.m. weekday restrictions)

Bicycles are not permitted on shuttle buses (either planned or unplanned)

Bicycles are not permitted on all trains on the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • St. Patrick’s Day
  • Mother’s Day
  • Memorial Day and the Friday before
  • Independence Day and the Friday before
  • Labor Day and the Friday before
  • Rosh Hashanah Eve
  • Yom Kippur Eve
  • Columbus Day
  • Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving Day, and the day after Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
  • New Year’s Eve
  • For holidays not listed above, normal weekday bike rules apply when a weekday schedule is running, and normal weekend bike rules apply when a weekend schedule is running.

Bicycles are not permitted on special event days, including but not limited to: major NYC parades, on Belmont Park trains, and at Mets-Willets Point during events.

At Stations

  • Bicycle riding on platforms or in other station areas is prohibited.
  • Bicycles are not to be taken on escalators.

Bicycle Groups

Bicycle groups that are organizing rides may contact LIRR Group Travel at 718-217-5477 to reserve space on trains for the group participants only. Bicycles must be trucked at the expense of the group or participating individuals. On major bicycle group days, such as the annual "Ride to Montauk," no bicycles will be permitted on the Babylon or Montauk branches due to the high demand.

Folding Bicycle Policy

Folding bicycles may be brought on board train cars as carry-on baggage at all times. Only true folding bicycles (bicycles specifically designed to fold up into a compact assembly, not exceeding 32 inches in width) are acceptable. Generally, these bicycles have frame latches that allow the frame to be collapsed, and small wheels. Regular bicycles of any size, with or without wheels, are not considered folding bicycles, and may not be stored as folding bicycles on board trains. The bicycle must be folded in the most compact position before boarding the train. Bicycles must be clean and free of excessive dirt and grease at all times. Folding bicycles may not be placed on seats and must not block aisles or vestibules. 

Emergencies

Cyclists must follow the directive of the train crew, authorized personnel, police, local authorities and/or fire officials. If an emergency should occur, cyclists may be required to leave their bicycles on board. Bicycles are not permitted on buses if substitute bus service is provided.