Bicycles

We’re making it easier to combine biking and GO Transit travel by offering new amenities and services to our customers.

To help put your plans in motion, here are a few links to cycle through.

Bike racks on buses
Bikes on trains
Shelters
Bike security
Paths and routes
Quick facts

Bike racks on buses

Look out for bike racks serving two routes on our Hamilton corridor buses starting August 1, 2008, with the rest of our bus network offering them in spring 2009.

The two routes with bike racks are the QEW express buses between Hamilton GO Centre and Union Station GO Bus Terminal, and the buses that connect Hamilton GO Centre with the Lakeshore trains at Aldershot GO Station.

The bike racks are on the front bumper of the bus, and each one can carry up to two bicycles. There is no extra charge to use the bike racks. Availability is on a first come, first served basis. If the rack is full, please wait for the next GO Bus with girl putting bike into rack bus. Customers are responsible for loading and unloading their own bikes.

Folding bicycles in proper carrying cases can be stored in the underfloor luggage compartment (not all buses have one).

This new, cycle-friendly initiative lets our customers take their bikes on our bus service any time of day.

For more information, please read our GO bike by bus brochure.

Bikes on trains

When can I take a bicycle onto a GO Train?

You may take a bicycle on any GO Train on a Saturday, Sunday, or statutory holiday.

On weekdays, due to rush-hour crowding, you may not take them on trains scheduled to arrive at Union Station between 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. or that leave Union Station between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Bicycles are also prohibited inside Union Station during those times.

Bicycles are permitted on all other trains, including weekday off-peak, and those travelling opposite to peak direction.

For example, you may bring your bicycle on trains travelling away from Union Station in the morning peak period as long as you do not board at Union Station. Similarly, you can bring your bicycle on trains traveling towards Union Station in the afternoon peak period as long as you get off the train before it arrives at Union.

What if, for example, I got on at Whitby GO Station during the morning rush but got off at Rouge Hill station. Can I bring my bike then?

No. During the morning rush, if you are travelling on a train towards Union Station, you cannot bring your bicycle on any part of the trip. The same applies if you are on a train that leaves Union Station during the afternoon rush, regardless of where you get on.

Can I bring a folding bicycle onto a GO Train?

Folding bicycles are allowed on all GO Trains, including during peak-period travel times and within Union Station at any time. Cyclists boarding peak-period trains with folded bicycles are asked to follow some simple etiquette tips to ensure this pilot project is a success.

Can I bring an electric bicycle onto a GO Train?

Power-assisted electric bicycles (e-bikes) that display a manufacturer’s label and meet federal motor vehicle safety regulations are permitted on GO Trains. Electric bicycles are subject to the same rules as conventional bicycles, as outlined above.

Where should I put my bicycle on the train?

Four bicycles fit on each regular GO railcar, two just inside each set of doors. Bicycles are not permitted in doorways next to the washroom. These doorways are indicated with a “no bike” symbol. Bicycles are not allowed on wheelchair-accessible train cars.

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Shelters

You can leave your car at home because we’re installing covered bicycle storage areas to provide better security and protection from the elements. Lisgar and Ajax GO Stations were the first to get new, prototype bike shelters this summer. At least half of our stations will have a bike shelter by winter 2008-09, with the rest being installed by winter 2009-10. These shelters will become the standard for all stations that offer bike parking.

To see if your station has a bike rack, visit our Stations and Stops page.

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Bike security

Although every effort is made to monitor the bicycle parking areas at our stations, complete uninterrupted observation is not possible.

Here are some tips that will help secure your bike:

Buy a good lock! The investment is worth it – even an expensive lock will cost less than replacing your bicycle. Ask your local bicycle store about what makes a good quality lock.
Place your bicycle in the rack so that you can lock both your frame and at least one wheel. Not only will this make your bicycle less vulnerable to theft, it will also keep it more upright and prevent accidental damage. If possible, bring an extra cable lock so you can secure both wheels.
Remove any easily removable parts such as lights, saddle bags or panniers, and anything attached with a quick-release mechanism. If you do have a quick-release on your seat post, consider having it replaced with a bolt that can only be removed by using a wrench, or take your seat with you when you lock up.
Make your bike unique and identifiable with stickers or paint. This will make it less attractive to steal.
Record the serial number of your bicycle and register it with your local police department. The serial number is unique to your bicycle and is typically engraved in the frame, often underneath the bottom bracket where your pedals attach.
Do not leave your bicycle locked overnight at any GO station.

The City of Toronto has installed secure bicycle lockers at these GO stations: Exhibition, Long Branch, and Guildwood. Lockers located at Kennedy Subway, Finch Subway, and Scarborough Civic Centre are also close to GO stations and stops. For more information about the City of Toronto’s bicycle locker program, visit www.toronto.ca/cycling/locker.htm.

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Paths and routes

Did you know you can bring your bike on any off-peak GO Train? This is a great opportunity to explore the many bicycle paths and rural areas that are near GO Train stations.

GO-by-Bike to Ajax

Outdoor enthusiasts from Ajax, Durham, and across the GTA are invited to take their bikes on the GO Train to Ajax, and cycle the Waterfront and Trans Canada trails westward every Sunday this summer.

GO-by-Bike to Ajax is part of a series of events aiming for healthier communities and a cleaner environment by promoting active living, tourism, and commuter cycling with transit systems.

Starting from the Ajax GO Station parking lot, the 15-kilometre ride runs along this path:

Head south on the Trans Canada Trail along Duffins Creek to the Ajax Waterfront
Go west along the Waterfront Trail to Pickering’s Frenchman’s Bay and Petticoat Creek
Picnic at Scarborough’s Rouge Park
End ride at Rouge Hill GO Station

Those who wish to can continue another 15 km west on the Waterfront Trail along Lake Ontario and north up the Highland Creek bike path to Guildwood GO Station. Each GO Train can accommodate about 30 bicycles.

Cycling advocate Donald Wiedman initiated this project in cooperation with the Town of Ajax, GO Transit, Durham Sustain Ability, City of Toronto, Toronto Region Conservation, Waterfront Regeneration Trust, and Trans Canada Trail. More information is available at gobybike.ca.

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Quick facts

Bicycle access to GO stations has increased by more than 40% over the last two years.
In 2005, there were more than 500 bikes parked at our stations and in 2007 there were well over 700 per day!
Lisgar and Ajax GO Stations were the first to get new, prototype bike shelters this summer. You will see bicycle shelters installed across the GO system over the next two years.
Our GO bike by bus brochure highlights key information for cyclists.
Folding bike etiquette tips are available here.