Using Public Transport

Public transport is an excellent way to get you and your bike to the start and end of a ride. Below find out what public transport you can take your bike on, and read our tips for using public transport safely. Select from:

Melbourne Metropolitan Trains
V/Line Coaches
Other Buses and Trams
Bikes on V/line Trains

You can take your bike on any Melbourne train at any time for free. We recommend that you avoid travelling during peak hours if possible. And, always look for a carriage without too many people in it. 

Riding your bike on train platforms is an offence under the Transport Act 1983 and poses a danger to you and other passengers. Always walk your bike along the platform and do not mount until you have exited the station.

To travel on Melbourne trains you will need a MYKI card with sufficient credit. See MYKI card for details. When you travel by train you must touch on with your MYKI card before you start a journey and off at the end of the journey.

On the Train

It’s important to remember that you cannot board at the first door of the first carriage, as this is a priority area for mobility impaired passengers. Best to never get on the front carriage. 

The best place to get on the train is usually at the back of the last carriage, or in the centre of the train. There are often special areas for wheelchair users and other passengers with special needs and these are good areas to park your bike. In some types of trains, the seats can be folded up and 2 or 3 bikes can be leaned against each other. 

Of course if a wheelchair user or other passenger with special needs gets on you have to move your bike straightaway as these passengers have priority. However our experience has been this very rarely ever happens. 

Bikes can roll around and fall over due to the movement of the train. There are various ways to help stop this:

• An adjustable strap at least 80cm long with a fastex buckle is often handy to steady a bike if you lean it against a rail. Loop the strap around the bike and rail and tighten it. Or use your bike lock.
• If the bike is leaning against something make sure there is a lot of ‘lean’ and that the bike is not almost upright.
• For some bikes you may be able to lock the brake on the front wheel, the right hand brake by
  • using a piece of strong elastic or thin bungee cord tie down the handle, or
  • sticking something in the brake handle like a peg.

If you sit away from your bike best to take your wallet and other valuables with you to your seat.

Start getting ready to get off as the train leaves the station before the one where you’re getting off. Particularly if you’re travelling with a few other riders. If two or more riders are leaving by the same door, overlap the rear wheel of each bike by the front wheel of the next bike to alert the driver that there is more than one person exiting.

Make sure you keep passageways and doorways clear and always be courteous. Our experience is other passengers usually don’t like having to move around bikes so move them out of the way whenever required, especially when people are getting on and off. 

Rail Replacement Buses

Only folding bicycles that are less than 82cm long, 69cm high and 39cm wide when folded and have wheel rims less than 51cm in diameter are permitted on rail replacement buses.

It’s always a good idea to check if a metro train service is being replaced by buses due to crossing works and maintenance, especially on weekends. 

Stairs, escalators and lifts at stations

Bikes can be carried up and down stairs and on escalators at stations. Many older riders find this very difficult if not impossible. 

It is always best to use the lifts at stations. All the stations in the Melbourne CBD have lifts as do many suburban stations. 

Using the lifts can take a while (5 minutes or more) because many other passengers use these lifts and they can only take a few people at a time. Be patient and always get to the station early to allow for this.

Bicycles can be carried for free on the following V/Line scheduled coach services, if there is space available.  They will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis only.

• Beechworth - Wangaratta
• Bright - Wangaratta
• Corowa/Rutherglen - Wangaratta
• Mulwala/Yarrawonga - Benalla
• Wangaratta - Bendigo

Bicycles can be carried on train replacement coaches subject to space in the luggage area and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers must load and unload their bicycle onto the coach and they are carried at the owner’s risk. 

Otherwise only folding bicycles that are less than 82cm long ,69cm high and 39cm wide when folded and have wheel rims less than 51cm in diameter are permitted on trams and buses.

Only folding bicycles that are less than 82cm long ,69cm high and 39cm wide when folded and have wheel rims less than 51cm in diameter are permitted on trams and buses.

Folding bikes as described above can be carried free on V/Line trains. For safety reasons, they cannot be stored in overhead luggage racks or parcel racks and must not obstruct walkways.

Conventional bikes can be carried free on V/Line trains, but be aware that their carriage depends on space availability.

V/Line has different types of trains and VLocity and Sprinter trains in particular have limited space for bikes. Therefore V/Line train conductors decide whether there is sufficient room for bikes to be taken on a V/Line train.

If you are travelling on a long-distance train to or from Albury, Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Swan Hill or Warrnambool, your bike must be checked at a staffed station at least 30 minutes before your service departs.

Note that VLine does not guarantee that your bike will be able to be carried on any of their trains. It’s possible to have a seat booked and then discover you can’t take your bike. 

To avoid this travel on VLine trains out of peak times. 

For more information about travelling with your bike on V/Line trains:

• call 1800 800 007 or
• visit the webpage at PTV Victoria.