The fast, fun and easy way to take your bike along for the ride!

Getting around Greater Des Moines is easier than ever thanks to DART’s Bike & Ride program. With a bike rack on every regular and express-route bus, you can take your bike just about anywhere – work, special events, parks, even your favorite bike trail.

Just pedal to the nearest DART stop and we will be there to pick you up – your bike rides for free.

How to use bike racks:

Using DART’s Bike & Ride racks is quick and easy. It usually takes less than 20 seconds to load your bike and board the bus.

To load your bike:

1. As the bus pulls up, raise your hand to attract the attention of the driver. Before you step in front of the bus, make sure it is completely stopped and the driver sees you.
2. If the rack is in the upright position, squeeze the release handle on the top and lower the rack.
3. Lift your bike into one of the wheel slots. If there is already a bike on the rack, load yours in the opposite direction in the remaining slot.
4. When your bike is loaded, lift the support arm up and over the front bike tire as close to the bike frame as possible.
5. Board the bus and pay your fare. 

To unload your bike:

1. When approaching your stop, let the bus driver know you will be unloading your bike. Then exit through the front door.
2. Lift the support arm from the bike’s front tire and take your bike out of the rack.
3. If the rack is empty, please raise the rack up against the bus. Return to the curb and signal the driver that you and your bike are safely away from the bus.

DART’s Bike & Ride Tips:

Riders are responsible for loading, securing and removing their bikes from the racks. For safety reasons, bus operators cannot leave the bus to assist bike rack users.

DART’s bike racks will accommodate most single-rider, two-wheel bicycles including children’s and all-terrain bikes. However, mopeds, tricycles, and tandem and recumbent bicycles cannot be mounted.

• Minimum tire size is 20 inches.
• Maximum tire size is 29 inches.
• Maximum wheel base is 44 inches.
• Maximum weight per bicycle is 55 pounds.

Children 10 and younger are not permitted to use DART’s bike racks unless accompanied by an adult.

Bike racks are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each rack can carry only two bicycles. If the rack is full, please wait for the next bus.

For safety reasons, always load and unload your bike from the curbside of the bus.

To allow for faster boarding, please remove all loose items from your bike, including water bottles and air pumps, before the bus arrives at the stop.

Bikes are secured by tires, not the frame. Two loaded bikes will not touch each other while on the rack. Personal locks, chains or other security devices cannot be used.

Bikes are not allowed inside buses unless they are collapsible and fold into the size of a standard piece of luggage.

DART is not responsible for any theft or damage while a bike is mounted on a rack or at any DART facility.

More Information

Need more information? We’ll be glad to help. Just call us at 515-283-8100.

Lost & Found

Unclaimed bikes will be kept in DART’s Lost & Found and held for no more than 30 days. Please call 515-283-8100 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday if you leave your bike or other belongings behind.

Sponsors

DART would like to thank the following companies for their generous donations and support:






The development of the DART Bike and Ride program was financed in part through federal funds provide by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration.