Bikes on Buses
How to bring your bike on an MTD bus

The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD), whose mission charges the organization to "lead the way to greater mobility," continues to support local efforts to improve safety and access for pedestrians and bicyclists.  

As the fiscal agent for the C-U Safe Routes to School Project, MTD has provided staff time and resources to implement C-U SRTS Project's various programs in the community. For more information about MTD, and for bus routes and schedule times visit the MTD website.

Getting Ready

  • Remove your cargo. Before the bus arrives, remove anything from your bike that may fall off during the trip.
  • Stay on the curb side. For your safety, never step to the street side of the bus when unloading or unloading your bike.
  • Check the bike rack. If the bike rack is full, wait for the next available bus. Do not attempt to bring your bike inside the bus, unless it is a folding bicycle that is properly stowed away.

Loading Your Bike

  1. Lower the bike rack: Grasp the handle, squeeze, and pull toward you until the rack is completely lowered.
  2. Load your bike: Lift your bike into the wheel well. If yours is the first or only bike, put it in the position closest to the bus; handlebars facing the curb.
  3. Lock it in place: Swing the support arm up and over the front tire of the bike.
  4. Board the bus: sit as close to the front as possible to keep your bike in view.

Unloading Your Bike

  1. Exiting the bus: Let the Operator know you will be removing your bike from the rack and exit the front door. Always unload your bike from the curb side.
  2. Unlock your bike: Raise the support arm off the tire.
  3. Unload: Lift your bike up out of the rack.
  4. Lift the rack: If there are no other bikes on the rack, squeeze the handle and lift to return the rack to its upright position.
  5. Ride safe: Finally, move quickly away from the bus to the curb and let the Operator know it is safe to leave. For your safety, never step to the street side of the bus.
C-U Safe Routes to School Project
1101 East University Avenue
Urbana, IL 61802
​217-384-8188
[email protected]