Rules for transporting a bike in the subway

Moving around the city on a bicycle, any person sooner or later is faced with the need to travel a certain distance by metro. Although the rules for using this vehicle are easy to read upon arrival at the metro itself, it would be much more reasonable to study them in advance to avoid any conflicts.

In Russian cities, the transport of a “two-wheeled friend” in the metro is banal. There are only two exceptions to this rule - either a children's bike or an adult will be allowed, but which is in a compact folded state. The reason that going with a bicycle into the subway cars is strongly discouraged is quite simple. The design itself is quite dimensional, and its wheels take up even more space.

If you measure the area that an adult vehicle takes when unfolded, it turns out that the dimensions exceed the dimensions of baggage that is allowed to be carried in the car.

A number of nuances are available in the metro rules of St. Petersburg and Moscow. In Moscow, you can only transport a bicycle if it is children’s, and this is done for free. At the same time, the sum of three measurements cannot exceed 150 centimeters, otherwise it will be forbidden to enter the car with the structure.

When folded up, an adult vehicle must comply with the rules for baggage: the measurement amount in width, height and length cannot go beyond the border equal to 121 centimeters. In this case, transportation is free of charge. If the measurements are in the range from 121 to 150 centimeters, then you will have to pay for the bike the cost of another token. Carriage of an item whose dimensions exceed a total of 150 centimeters is prohibited in the subway.

In the St. Petersburg metro it is allowed to ride with any children's bicycle, regardless of the parameters. However, it will first have to be packed in a cover so as not to stain other passengers and put dirt into the subway car. As for the adult bike, the sum of the measurements should not go beyond 200 centimeters. Besides, baggage should not interfere with other passengers, otherwise the metro employee may well impose a ban on transportation.

In the event of a conflict, it would be much more correct to resolve the situation peacefully and purchase another token as a fee for baggage.

MCC wagons should also be mentioned separately, since the rules of the monorail are similar to transportation in the metro. It is free to transport one bike, previously disassembled and fixed with special mounts. We must not forget about protecting others from dirt and injuries, that is, a cover or some kind of film.

As mentioned above, in order to travel on the subway with a bicycle, you will need to disassemble it first. It is more convenient to do this on a surface where there are fewer people, and it is possible to sit on a bench, and then go down to the platform. The front wheel is removed, and the steering wheel turns exactly 90 degrees.

It is more convenient to put away the details in a bag, bag or case, so as not to harm other passengers. Traveling with a children's bike is much simpler: you can either do nothing, or somehow cover the structure with a cover or film again, so as not to spread the dirt. The folding bike is transformed according to the instructions: the pipes of the frame are bent, and everything is hidden in the cover that comes with the kit.

A protective case for a conventional device is purchased at a specialized store or even sewn independently. The main requirement for it is to completely hide the frame and wheels, but the handles may well protrude outward, especially since it will be even more convenient to hold onto them.

Inside the car, it is necessary to take a platform located opposite the doors. You should not go to the middle of the cabin if there are no empty seats, as well as lean the bike against the sliding doors. It is recommended to place the “Two-wheeled friend” in the case across the passenger compartment - this way it will take up less space and will not disturb the moving passengers.

In trains of the old model it is best to occupy space either at the first door of the first carriage, or at the last doors of the last carriage. If the existing car belongs to a new type, then the outer doors of each car will be more suitable.

Quite often, official documents show that folding a bike is possible without any additional tricks, but with this point, everything is not so simple. There is no clear information about what kind of bike is folding, therefore, the cyclist may be of the opinion that his vehicle fits the description, but the metro employee decides that it should not be missed.

It is immediately worth noting that it is forbidden to carry not only baggage, the parameters of which go beyond the permissible limits, but also those items that prevent you from entering or leaving the carriage or the escalator, or in any other way create discomfort for subway employees and other passengers. Finally, stitching, soiling or explosive elements are strictly prohibited. Therefore, for example, if the bicycle is in such a condition that it may injure others, its transportation will be prohibited. The same applies to mud-covered structures, even for children.

Any cyclist should also understand that it is strictly forbidden to ride the platform while waiting for the train. This is dangerous not only for the extreme, but for the rest of the passengers and even train drivers. Station attendants will immediately want to talk with the troublemaker, after which they may even follow removal from the subway.

It must be remembered that transporting a bicycle by metro or other public transport is quite a difficult and not always enjoyable process. Experts recommend that you use this method only if absolutely necessary, because climbing just like that with a rather large load at rush hour will deliver unpleasant sensations not only to yourself, but to everyone around you.

It is recommended to go down to the subway if you don’t have the strength to go back on wheels, the bicycle is brought as a gift, or the device requires repair. Carrying a bike into the car is worth it if the plans for a suburban bike ride and you need to get to the start of the route. Plan to use the subway in such a way as to avoid periods of congestion in underground lines.

It is better to develop a path even before the direct underground journey and include in it the minimum number of transitions from one branch to another. Ideally, traveling with a bicycle is best in the morning or late in the evening. In addition, it is wise to preliminarily study the existing rules for using underground transport. The document provides not only information regarding the rights and obligations of passengers, but also recommendations on how to act in an emergency.

Despite the existing rules, conflicts in the subway can still occur. In this situation, it is better to be patient and try to solve the problem in the most peaceful way. Compliance and courtesy can still come to the rescue. In addition, it is important to take into account the needs of other passengers and be prepared for the fact that they can complain to subway employees in the event of discomfort.

It must be added that experienced cyclists are advised to immediately take a cover with them for a walk. It does not take up much space, weighs relatively little, but its use always reassures subway employees and solves the problem in favor of the passenger.

It is better to start communication with controllers with a respectful greeting, a smile and a direct question whether it is possible to go down to the platform with a bicycle. In most cases the employee will recommend removing the first wheel, after which the baggage rules are met. In addition, it is nevertheless prudent to immediately have a spare token or card paid for at least two trips, in order to nevertheless pay for the transportation of the vehicle if necessary.

See how to ride the subway with a bicycle in the next video.