Bikes & Scooters

• Bikes, scooters, and other items are carried free of charge, but there may not always be space for them, so try to travel in the off-peak period whenever possible
• Drivers and on-board staff are not required to assist you with your bike or scooter
• Be considerate of fellow passengers and let others board first 
• Do not ride your bike or scooter on railway station platforms - Walk beside it
• You may carry skates onto our vehicles, but don't wear them on board
• Any gear brought on board must be clean (no muddy shoes or tires)
• Always use a lock and attach owner identification to your bike
• We are not liable for loss or damage to cycles, scooters, skateboards, similar equipment, or any other property that you wish to travel with

See Conditions of carriage for full policies

Racks fit standard bikes with a minimum wheel diameter of 405 mm (16 inches) and a maximum wheel diameter of 735 mm (29 inches, including 700c).  The maximum tyre width is 75 mm (3 inches).  Each bike can weigh a maximum of 25kg and some electric bikes will need the battery to be removed to bring the e-bike under this weight limit.  Bikes with wide handlebars over 750 mm must be loaded on the rack furthest from the bus so that they do not interfere with windscreen wiper function.

Cargo-style bikes, stunt and lowrider bikes and those with fat tyres do not fit on the rack. High-backed child seats and other large accessories that block the driver's visibility are not allowed for safety reasons. 

The maximum allowable bike wheelbase is 1168 mm.

Learn how to use a bike rack:

Always load bikes from the front of the bike rack, and at the very front of the bus stop. For safety reasons, we recommend not standing behind another bus or on the road side of a bus when loading or unloading. Children under the age of 13 should be assisted by an adult.

Loading your bike

Squeeze the yellow handle on the bike rack upwards to release and then lower the bike rack towards you (the rack may already be lowered if another bike is on it).
Lift your bike onto the bike rack with the front wheel facing toward the yellow support arm and lower the bike so the wheels fit into the support slots. Load your bike on the rack closest to the bus first so that the front rack is still available for use.
Hold onto the bike securely either on the frame or the handlebars while pulling the yellow support arm out and raising it over the front tyre so that it fits on the top of the front wheel, tightly against the front of the bike frame or front mudguard.
Board the bus and pay as normal - there is no additional charge for your bike. Sit or stand close to the front of the bus so you can exit quickly.

Unloading your bike

Let the driver know that you're going to unload your bike and exit via the front doors. Hold the bike securely either on the frame or the handlebars then unhook and lower the yellow support arm from the front tyre.
Lift your bike from the bike rack onto the footpath.
If no one else is using the bike rack, squeeze the handle in the middle of the bike rack towards you and fold the bike rack back up towards the front of the bus.

Disclaimer: Passengers and their bikes travel at their own risk and Greater Wellington Regional Council and their contracted bus companies are not liable for whatever reason (to the extend permitted by law), for any losses, damage, costs or inconvenience suffered by passengers or any other person, or for loss or damage to any property (including bikes).

Lost Property: Bikes left of the rack will be treated as lost property by the relevant bus company who will keep hold of them. Find out more about lost property on Wellington's public transport.

Feedback: If you experience any problems when using the bike racks, please inform the driver immediately. You can also contact the Metlink Service Centre by phone, email, or the online feedback form.

Compact, fully folding bikes(external link) must be folded down before boarding and carried on board by the cyclist.  Folding bikes must not exceed the dimensions: 82 cm long x 69 cm high x 39 cm wide. Rims maximum 51cm diameter (about 20 inches). Kick-bikes that meet the criteria for folding bikes can also be taken on buses.

Scooters that can be carried by hand are allowed on buses. If possible, scooters should be folded before the bus arrives. When folded, folding bikes and scooters are allowed on every service and are treated as a form of luggage. They must be secure at all times, not block aisles or doorways, and not occupy a seat. On board staff may ask you to move your folding bike or scooter if they think it's unsafe for you or other passengers. 

Hutt Valley, Melling, Kapiti and Johnsonville Lines

Metlink trains have special low-floor carriages that can accommodate bikes on services that allow them. Each two-car train can accommodate up to three bikes, on a first come first serve basis. Look for the bicycle symbol on the outside of the carriage, and in the cycle area inside the carriage.

Cyclists must load, secure, and attend their bike while on board. Bikes must not obstruct doors or aisles, and are to be stored in the bicycle area only.

Wairarapa Line

Wairarapa Line trains can carry bikes in the luggage car, depending on space. The luggage car will always be on the northern end of the platform when the train stops. Bikes and luggage must be lifted into the luggage car and carried up a few steps with a narrow entrance, unlike the trains on the rest of the network. Large cargo-style bikes can't be carried on Wairarapa Line trains.

Cyclists must speak to staff before loading their bikes. Passengers must load their own bikes and luggage into the luggage car while staff supervise. For safety reasons during loading, bikes and luggage should not exceed 30kg in weight, and bikes must be under 180cm in length. 

Some peak hour services on the Hutt Valley and Kapiti lines do not allow bikes. To see whether you can bring your bike onto a particular service, check the timetable:

Hutt Valley Line(external link)

Kāpiti Line(external link)

If you're at Wellington Station, you can also check the departure screens, which show a bike symbol on services that allow bikes.

Bikes cannot be carried on services to and from special events. That includes timetabled services and any additional services provided.

Buses replacing trains are not guaranteed to have a bike rack, even if the train service it is replacing usually allows bikes. If a bus is fitted with a bike rack, they can only carry two standard bikes, and it is first come first served. Folding bikes and scooters may be carried, as long as there is capacity on board to do so safely.

The Wairarapa line and Hutt Valley lines have frequent bus replacements due to the upgrade work on those lines. Check timetables, service alerts and Buses replace trains page to plan your journey.

During peak times and busy services, compact, fully folding bikes(external link) must be folded down before boarding. Off-peak, the bike may be stored unfolded in the bicycle storage area, however if your fellow cyclists with non-folding bikes require the space, your folding bike will need to be folded to make room.

Folding bikes must not exceed the dimensions: 82 cm long x 69 cm high x 39 cm wide. Rims maximum 51cm diameter (about 20 inches). Kickbikes that meet the criteria for folding bikes can also be taken on trains. 

Scooters that can be carried by hand are allowed on trains. If possible, scooters should be folded before the train arrives. When folded, folding bikes and scooters are allowed on every service and are treated as a form of luggage. They must be secure at all times, must not block aisles or doorways, and not occupy a seat. On board staff may ask you to move your folding bike or scooter if they think it's unsafe for you or other passengers.

Bike racks and stands

Bike parking spaces at train stations are free to use if you're not taking your bike with you on the train or bus. They're first come first serve, and are for day use only. Some racks and stands are covered, and some are not. Bike stands hold 4 bikes, cone-style bike racks hold 6 bikes, and the new two-tier bike racks hold 20 or more bikes.

Bike lockers and sheds

Reserved lockers are available at some stations, and Wellington and Porirua stations have bike sheds. Bike lockers are allocated to users for a minimum six-month period, and users pay a key deposit and administration/maintenance fee. Lockers and sheds usually have a waiting list. Long term bike lockers are supplied, funded and administered by Greater Wellington Regional Council. Call or email the Metlink Service Centre for inquiries.

Using the two-tier bike racks

Dutch-style two-tier bike racks are surrounded by a three-sided shelter. They are designed to accomodate bikes of many different shapes and sizes. The top rack is gas-assisted and the bottom rack features a roller system, both designed to make it easier to use. 

Top rack

Bottom rack

Hutt Valley Line

Melling Line

Kāpiti Line

Johnsonville Line

Wairarapa Line