C-Sig Training Series
Taking your bike where you can't ride it: stairs, escalators, and public transportation
Stairs
- To clear stairs easily, angle your bike parallel to them: up in front going upstairs, down in front going downstairs
- To avoid tripping over your pedals, position them so they'll angle up on your side of the bike (pedals forward for upstairs, back for downstairs)
Escalators
- Position pedals so they'll be up on your side of the bike (back for downstairs, forward for upstairs)
- Position yourself and bike in the center of the escalator.
- Hold left brake (front brake) as soon as front wheel touches moving step. May release brake when front wheel touches ground that's not moving
- Going down, stand near saddle so you can step forward as you start to descend
- Going up, stand near handlebars so you can step back as you start to ascend
Public transportation
Bikes are permitted on the NYC subway 24 hours a day. To enter stations, get the attendant's attention, swipe your MetroCard, turn the turnstile, and enter through the service gate. Remember you're an ambassador for cycling, so be courteous: avoid rush hour if possible, don't block the exit, aisles, or seats, and move your bike to allow people to pass. You can't ride or straddle your bike while in the subway system.
Bikes are allowed on Metro North and LIRR -- no permit required -- except during rush hours and many holidays (check https://new.mta.info/guides/bikes for specifics). Be nice to the conductors as your presence on the train is at their discretion. There's a limit of 2 bikes per car and 8 per train except on special bike trains.
No permit is needed for NJ Transit or Path trains, but bikes are not allowed on peak-period, peak direction trains. On NJ Transit, bikes aren't allowed on some holidays.