City of Cedar Rapids

How to Use a Bike Rack on a Cedar Rapids Transit Bus

Watch this informative video and learn how to load your bike on a Cedar Rapids Transit Bus:


All loading and unloading of bikes can be done by the bicycle rider at his/her own risk. Children’s bikes should be loaded by an accompanying adult, but the rack can easily be loaded by young children. These steps should be followed when using the bike rack.

 Loading Bikes

• Prepare your bike for loading. Remove water bottles, pumps, and other loose items that could fall off while the bus is in motion.
• Inform the bus driver that you will be loading your bike. You must load your bike from the curb or in front of the bus. Do not step into oncoming traffic to load your bike. 
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• Squeeze handle up to release latch, then fold down the bike rack. You only need to use one hand to unlatch and pull the bike rack down, so you can hold your bike with your other hand. It is not necessary to lean your bike against the bus.
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• Lift your bike onto the bike rack, fitting wheels into labeled wheel slots. Each wheel slot is clearly labeled for the front wheel. (NOTE: The rack operates properly even if a bicycle is loaded in the wrong direction). The purpose of the directional placement is to make the bike rack nearest the bus easier to unload.
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• Raise the support arm up and over the front tire so that the hook rests at the highest point on the front wheel. The support arm automatically folds down to a secure position. The support arm adds lateral support for the loaded bike. Many bikes will sit in the wheel well without the use of the support arm, but the rack must not be used without the use of the support arm.
• Board the bus and enjoy the ride!
• Choose a seat near the front of the bus to keep an eye on your bike.
• DON’T FORGET you have your bike with you when you get off at your stop. New riders often do!

Unloading Bikes

• Inform the bus driver that you will be unloading your bike as you approach your stop. Use the front door to exit the bus. Unload your bike from in front of the bus or from the curb, not from the street side of the bus.
• Lift your bike out of the rack.
• Squeeze the handle and fold up the bike rack, if there are no other bikes on the rack, and no one else is waiting to load a bike. The bike rack locks in place w/a snap so you know that it is secure.
• Step away from the bus w/your bike. Always step to the curb, for your own safety and to allow the bus to proceed onward.