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Bike and Ride

Bringing Your Bike on the Bus

We make it easy to “bike and ride.” You can bring a standard-size bike on the bus, but only if there’s room in the bike rack located on the front of the bus.  The racks can fill up quickly at rush hour so plan ahead.

Types of Bikes Allowed on CityLink

Only single-seat, two-wheeled bikes, are allowed on CityLink.  (CityLink is conducting research on folding bikes and will update this web page if permission is granted to allow folding bikes to be carried on to buses.)

Tandems and bikes with oversized wheels, three or more wheels, trailers or those powered by internal-combustion engines cannot be accommodated. Electric bikes with a sealed battery compartment are permitted.

Bikes with child seats, panniers or other accessories that block an operator’s vision out the front of a bus are not allowed.

How to Load Your Bike on the Bus

Every CityLink bus is equipped with a bike rack on the front that can hold two bikes. (At this time folding bikes are not permitted on CityLink buses.)

Loading
  1. Make sure the bus stops completely and the driver acknowledges you before you step in front of the bus.
  2. Never approach a stopped bus from the street side, as you cannot safely determine when a driver is about to leave a stop.
  3. Squeeze the handle on the top of the rack and lower it. Place your bike in the rack and place the bar over your front wheel (as close to the frame as possible).
  4. Remove any loose items or valuables from your bike, including panniers, then board the bus and pay your fare.
Unloading
  1. Exit through the front door and let the driver know that you have a bike to remove. Never step in front of the bus until you are sure the driver sees you.
  2. Remove your bike and fold up the rack if it is empty.
  3. Go to the nearest curbside. Never cross in front of the bus, as passing traffic cannot see you.

Lost & Found

If you accidentally leave your bike on the bus, contact CityLink at (309) 676-4040.

Sharing the Road Safely

When buses and bikes share the road, it’s even more important to practice safe driving and safe riding. Cyclists can help by following a few simple “rules of the road.”

Riding around buses

  • Don’t pass on the right. Bus operators will signal when they change lanes, pull up to a stop or merge into traffic. CityLink buses make frequent stops; it is not safe to pass a bus on the right when it is loading or unloading passengers.
  • Yield to merging buses. Buses must yield to bikes when pulling into a stop, but are allowed to cross or stop in bike lanes to serve stops. If the left rear blinker is flashing, the bus has the right-of-way to merge back into traffic, and you should let the bus back in.
  • Make sure the operator can see you. Buses have blind spots: If you can’t see the operator, either directly or in the mirror, the operator can’t see you. The safest place to be around buses is in front of them. Wear easy-to-see clothing and always use lights when it’s dark out.
  • Watch for changing road conditions. Bike lanes may merge with mixed traffic at choke points. Use hand signals when merging or changing lanes. Take the middle of a travel lane if necessary.
  • Please do not ride your bike through the lanes at the CityLink Transit Center at 407 SW Adams.  When you arrive at the Transit Center, dismount your bike and walk your bike to the appropriate bus lane.

To review rules for riding bicycles safely in Illinois review the Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road.

For Trail Riders:  Map of Rock Island Greenway with CityLink bus stops marked (PDF)

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