Bike & Ride: On the Train
Bicycles are permitted on the 'L' (CTA trains) every weekday except from 7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm (with certain exceptions where crowding is anticipated).
On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (except when prohibited), bicycles are allowed on trains all day. If you board the train with your bicycle before the hours listed above and your trip extends into those hours, the CTA allows you to finish your trip.
- When entering a rail station, notify the Customer Assistant or security guard that you are there with your bicycle. When available, use the accessible turnstile with the swing gate to pay your fare and enter with your bicycle. If a swing gate is not available, CTA staff will open an access gate to allow you to enter.
- Do not attempt to carry your bicycle through the tall steel barrier gates. It will get caught!
Note: For this reason, customers with bicycles may not exit at the King Drive (accessible) (Green Line) station; please ride to the Cottage Grove (Green Line) station.
- To reach the platform level, use elevators whenever they are available. Otherwise, carry your bicycle on ramps and stairways, allowing other customers to clear before you go up or down the stairs. Bicycles are not permitted on escalators.
- When a train is approaching or leaving, stand clear of the platform edge. If the train is too crowded, please wait for the next one.
- Before boarding, check to see if other cyclists are present on the rail car. Only two (2) bicycles are allowed per car. Note: Please do not board cars with folding doors.
- Once on board, stand near either end of the rail car. Stand by your bicycle and hold on to it at all times. Never block the aisle or doors. Do not use your bicycle kickstand inside stations or rail cars.
Helpful Tips
- When on the platform, stand near signs that say “Board here” or under signs indicating which trains stop on that platform. Typically, train cars berth at that location during all hours of service (regardless of the length of the train).
- If a train is crowded, it might be necessary to wait for another train. A police officer, train operator or other CTA staff may ask you to wait for another train. We appreciate your understanding.
- Never ride your bicycle on CTA property—walk with your bike.
- Bicycles are not allowed on certain days when trains are expected to become very crowded, such as July 4, or otherwise when trains have become full/crowded. Please follow station or train crew instructions.
Always be mindful of other passengers.
Further Reading