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Bicycle Policy Information

Travel Green and Safe for All Customers

All bicycles carried on board must be clean and free of excessive dirt and grease at all times
Cyclists may board trains only after all other customers have boarded
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. These bicycles require a Long Island Rail Road/Metro-North permit.
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 do not require a permit, but must remain folded at all times.

Permits
Each bicycle taken on board LIRR trains requires a permit. No more than one (1) bicycle is allowed per cyclist on a train, at a time. Permits are good for the lifetime of the document; however, a new application and fee must be paid if the original permit is damaged or lost. Permits are for the individual only and are not transferable. To obtain a permit, customers may:

By Mail: complete a Bicycle Permit Application and mail it with a check for $5
At Stations: complete a permit application and pay $5 (cash, debit/credit or check) at any open LIRR Ticket Office (see Stations for hours) and receive a permit that day
On Board: pay $5 on-board (cash only) and obtain a receipt, which must be either turned in at an open ticket office with application, or mailed in with application

Checks must be made out to: LIRR. Mail completed application, and check or payment receipt, to:

LIRR Bicycle Permits
Jamaica Station Mail Code 1973
Jamaica, NY 11435

Please allow at least two weeks for processing.

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 disabled passengers.

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 mobility impairments.
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 2 bicycles per car. The list includes several 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 published branch timetables available online, at stations, or call our Travel Information Center to speak with an agent for specific train times.

Exclusions - Times/Days Bicycles are Not Allowed on Trains (arrivals/departures from NYC):

All Year	Weekday Mornings	6AM - 10AM	Westbound arrivals
	Weekday Evenings	3PM - 8PM	Eastbound departures
	Saturdays	7AM - 10AM 4PM - 6PM	Westbound arrivals Eastbound departures
	Sundays	5PM - 8PM 10PM - Midnight	Westbound arrivals Eastbound departures

Montauk Branch - Summer	Sundays	6PM -10PM	Westbound arrivals
(Friday before Memorial Day	Fridays	3PM - 9PM	Eastbound departures
through Labor Day)	Saturdays	All Day	Eastbound and Westbound trains except Bike Trains

Bicycles are also not permitted on trains during:

Trackwork/ Busing Programs (see Planned Service Changes)

Holidays - including New Year's Eve and Day, St. Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day and the Friday before, Independence Day and the weekday before Independence Day, the Eves of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Labor Day and the Friday before, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Eve and Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Special Events - including Belmont and Mets-Willets Point trains, US Golf Open or NYC parade day trains, the "Montauk Century" and the "Ride to Montauk" annual events.

NYC Bicycle Events
New York City bicycle event organizers should submit requests for the waiving of permits to the LIRR Public Affairs Department at least six weeks in advance of the event date. Requests will be reviewed against potential crowding situations, trackwork or other special programs that may be occurring on that date. Please mail requests to: LIRR Public Affairs - Bicycle Permit Waiver Request, Jamaica Station Mail Code 1973, Jamaica, NY 11435.

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 "Montauk Century" or "Ride to Montauk," no bicycles will be permitted on the Babylon or Montauk branches due to the high demand.

Folding Bicycle Policy
Folding Bike Folding bicycles may be brought on board train cars as carry-on baggage at all times except major bicycle events, such as the Montauk rides, when all bicycles are prohibited. 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. Folding bicycles do not require a permit.

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.

Liability
The LIRR Bicycle Permit is non-transferable and must be displayed or surrendered upon demand. Permit releases the LIRR from any liability or injury, death or damages arising in connection with the use of the permit. Permit holder agrees to be solely responsible for any injury, death or damages arising as a result of the use of the permit.

Additional Rules for Bicyclists:
i. Bicycle riding on platforms or in other station areas is prohibited.
ii. Bicycles are not to be taken on escalators.

Useful Bike Links

The following locations are recommended by the Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and are within proximity of the LIRR stations indicated:

Bethpage State Park
99 Quaker Meeting House Road [map]
Farmingdale
Phone: (516) 249-0701

Sunken Meadow State Parkway
Sunken Meadow State Parkway [map]
Kings Park
Phone: (631) 269-4333

Massapequa Preserve
Sunrise Highway
Massapequa
Phone: 516-571-7443

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