Bikes On Buses

Every bus in the TCAT fleet has a bicycle rack mounted on the front. These racks can help cyclists tame the hills and weather of Tompkins County. There is no additional fare for using the bike racks.

 

TCAT Cares

The safety and convenience of people walking, biking and driving to access the bus system is very important to us. We support pedestrian and bicycle networks and park & ride lots in our community. Better sidewalks and trails, bike storage and improved bus stops increases convenience and safety of people riding TCAT buses.

TCAT is an Innovator

In 1996, TCAT was the first bus system in New York State to install bike racks fleet-wide. Our buses carry 17,000 bicycles a year. So this summer, TCAT encourages everyone to get out and ride.

TCAT bus is your ultimate hill climbing gear!

How To Use The Bike Racks

The bike racks are easy to use. Just follow these simple instructions and rules.

Loading Your Bike:

  • As the bus approaches have your bike ready to load; remove all pumps and loose items that could fall off your bike.
  • Always approach the bus from the curb side.
  • Tell the bus driver that you are loading a bike.
  • Squeeze handle and pull down to release folded bike rack.
  • You can load and unload a bike nearest the bus without unloading the bike in front.
  • Lift the bike onto the rack, putting the front and rear wheels in the marked slots.
  • Raise the support arm, making sure it is resting on your front tire, not the fender or frame.
  • Anything attached to the bike that obstructs the TCAT driver’s vision, such as milk crates, oversize panniers, or child safety seats, will need to be removed before the bike can be put on the rack.

Unloading Your Bike

  • Tell the driver that you need to unload your bike.
  • Move the support arm down and lift out your bike.
  • Fold up the rack if there are no other bikes.

Rules

For safety reasons, the driver cannot get off the bus to assist you. Please follow the instructions above. They are also located on each bike rack.

  • Bike racks are first come, first served. Each bus can carry 2 bikes.
  • There is no additional fare for using the bike rack.
  • Children 10 or younger must be accompanied by an adult to load and unload bikes.
  • All people using the rack must be strong enough to load and unload their bike

 

In This Section

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ADA & Paratransit

TCAT ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Paratransit Services provides door-to-door, demand-responsive transportation for people with disabilities. 

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Bikes On Buses

Every bus in the TCAT fleet has a bicycle rack mounted on its front end. 

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Park & Ride

Find a lot near you, and tell your friends! 

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Lost & Found

We love to reunite people with their stuff. It happens all the time. We want to help you. 

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Vanpool

Vanpool is a unique program designed to transport people from outlying areas of our community that are not close to our traditional bus routes, to the same or close end destinations. 

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