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Bikes on buses

Travelling with your bike? Discover Te Pahi’s bike rack rules, eBike limits and safety tips to make your bus journey across Taranaki easy, safe and hassle-free.

Want to cycle to and from the bus stop or take your bike to work so you can head out for a quick ride at lunchtime? No problem.  

Buses on our urban routes (New Plymouth, Bell Block, Waitara) are equipped with bike racks on the front of the bus. These are free to use. A few points to note:

  • You are responsible for loading and unloading your bike on and off a bike rack. The driver is not required to assist you.
  • The bike rack can take a maximum of two bikes at one time.  Bikes may not be taken inside the bus if the rack is full.
  • Racks are designed to carry bikes with wheels 16in/40cm or larger.
  • The maximum insured value of any bike on a rack is $1500.
  • Scooters, folding bikes, skateboards and skates may be carried on the bus, subject to space. Please be considerate of other bus users.

On regional services i.e. between Hāwera/Ōpunake and New Plymouth bikes may be stowed in the luggage compartment at no charge, subject to space.  The driver will open the compartment for you on request.  The regional buses do not have bike racks.

eBikes

You can load your eBike on a bus bike rack if it has a:

  • Maximum weight of 55lb (about 25kg), and
  • Maximum wheelbase of 44in or 111cm, and
  • Maximum wheel diameter of 20in to 29in or 51cm to 74cm

If your eBike is too heavy, you may be able to reduce its weight by removing the battery. Removable batteries may be carried on the bus.

How to use the bike racks

Please remember that loading and unloading your bike is up to you. The good news is it's pretty straightforward and once you've done it once, you'll be a pro!  For safety reasons, always load your bike from the front of the bike rack.

Loading your bike

  • Step 1

    Squeeze bike rack handle up to release lower rack.

  • Step 2

    Lift bike on to rack with front wheel facing towards yellow support arm, and fit wheels into clearly labelled slots.

  • Step 3

    Raise the support arm over the front tyre so the hook rests on top of the front wheel.

Unloading your bike

As you get off the bus, let the driver know you will be unloading your bike.

  • Step 1

    Unhook and lower the support arm from the front tyre and lift your bike from the rack.

  • Step 2

    If no one else is using the rack, squeeze handle and fold the bike rack back up.