The United States has invested very little in supporting trips by bicycle. And as a result less than 0.5% of the U.S. population commutes on two wheels every day. But Philadelphia’s citywide cycling commute rate is more than triple that at 1.8%—placing us sixth among major U.S. cities.
Data from Replica—an activity-based model for travel behavior—estimates that more than 18,500 trips a day are completed by bicycle into and through the core of Philadelphia. This is up from an already impressive 11,000 bicycle trips estimated in 2019.
South Philadelphia ranks among the nation’s biggest bicycle commute hubs and is one of only 14 Public Use Microdata Areas in the U.S. where more than 5% of people bike to work. Go South Philly!
Whether for commuting or not—the sweet spot distance-wise for bicycling trips to and through Center City is between one and three miles. Commuters can travel even farther by combining cycling with public transit—bringing together two of the most sustainable transportation options! Biking to or from a transit stop can also shorten the last mile to your home or office. And we have bike racks at 70% of our stations or space for 2,385 bikes on 973 racks.
Bikes are always welcome on board the B and M and on racks on the front of all SEPTA buses and trackless trolleys.
Bikes are welcome on the L on weekends and holidays and outside of rush hour (6AM to 9AM and 3PM to 6PM).
Bikes are allowed on Regional Rail trains on Saturday, Sunday, and major holidays. Major holidays are New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Bikes are welcome on weekday Regional Rail trains except morning inbound trains arriving at any Center City station between 6AM and 9:30AM and afternoon outbound trains departing from any Center City station between 4PM and 6:30PM.
Trolleys cannot accommodate bikes.
If you’re planning to bring your bike on a SEPTA vehicle—it is important you follow Bike & Ride General Guidelines:
- Avoid blocking doorways. This could interfere with the free movement of passengers, the operation of the vehicle, and the safety of the operation.
- Do not place your bicycle on a seat or in a space needed for passenger seating.
- Persons with bicycles on trains must use the same space provided to accommodate persons who use wheelchairs or have other mobility limitations. Be prepared to yield the space to a person with mobility limitations, even if that means leaving the train.
- Make sure you are able to physically lift, properly store, and unload your own equipment.
- Walk alongside your bicycle in SEPTA facilities, and only use stairways and elevators to enter or exit. Please do not use escalators.
- If you have a folding bicycle, make sure it is fully collapsed before bringing it onto a vehicle as luggage. Otherwise, guidelines for non-folding bicycles will apply.
Happy biking and SEPTA-ing!