Traveling with your bicycle. Armed with a little information, a couple of permits and a good dose of courtesy, you can take your bicycle on many public transit systems. This is by no means the definitive resource, so visit these sites for updated information, regulations and schedules.

Amtrak

1-800-USA-RAIL Bicycles must usually be transported in a box provided by the passenger or Amtrak. Space for bicycles can be reserved when ticket reservations are made, with a charge of $5 to $10 depending on route and distance traveled.

Baggage Regulations for Bikes

Includes contact information and rate comparisons for numerous airlines.

Bikes Aboard

Good resource for bikes on transit information maintained by Transportation Alternatives. Includes buses and ferries.

Long Island Rail Road

(212) 499-4386 Permit required; joint LIRR/Metro North permits available at Penn or Grand Central Stations or by phone, mail or online. Cost: $5. Limit 2 bicycles per car, 4 per train. Permits needed for folding bikes. Bikes not allowed on most trains from Montauk. No bikes on most holidays. Check your permit carefully before attempting to travel on the LIRR.

Metro-North Commuter Railroad

(212) 499-4386 Permit required, available at Grand Central terminal ticket window 27 from 6am to 11pm; mail-in applications also available online. $5.00 one time fee. No bikes during rush hours (call for times for your station) and holidays. Weekday limit 4 bikes per train. Bikes permitted at all times on weekends; limit 2 bikes per car and 8 per train except special bike trains, available on all lines.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

(718) 330-1234 Schedules, travel advisories and other info on Metro-North, Long Island Railroad, NYC subways and buses. Subway: Bikes permitted at all times, but avoid rush hour. Use service gate, not turnstiles; keep to ends of cars.

Mobilizing the Region

4-page bulletin on NJ/NY/CT transportation news and opinion from the perspective of advocacy for sustainable transportation.

New Jersey Transit

(973) 762-5100 Permits not required on trains. Bikes allowed on trains during off-peak hours weekdays & all day Saturdays & Sundays. Cyclist must hold bicycle if tie downs (bungees) are not used. See bike info page for more details and restrictions, as well as info regarding bike parking and lockers.

New York City Department of Transportation

Get city bike maps

New York Waterways

(800) 53-FERRY Bikes OK always, $1 bicycle surcharge fee, limit 2 bikes per boat on most runs. No bikes allowed between Port Imperial-Weehawken and Wall Street.

Packing Your Bike for Public Transportation

Informative article for "cyclotourers" includes transit fee comparisons and illustrated, step-by-step instructions.

PATH

(800) 234-PATH, (201) 216-6247 No bikes allowed 6 AM-9:30 AM or 3PM-6:30 weekdays. No restrictions weekends or holidays.

Staten Island Ferry

(718) 815-BOAT No charge for bikes; enter on Lower Level.