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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 some regional services 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.  To check ahead of time if a bike can be taken on a regional bus, please contact us.

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.

A step by step video guide to loading and unloading your bike on a New Plymouth urban bus.

Frequently asked questions

Want to take your bike with you on Te Pahi buses? Check out our FAQs for everything you need to know about using bike racks and travelling safely with your bike.

All urban buses in New Plymouth, Bell Block and Waitara are fitted with front-mounted bike racks. Regional buses between Hāwera/Ōpunake and New Plymouth don’t have bike racks, but sometimes bikes can be stowed in the luggage compartment (subject to space). 

Bike racks and luggage compartments are free to use on all Te Pahi buses.

Each bike rack can carry a maximum of two bikes at a time. If the rack is full, bikes cannot be taken inside the bus. 

Racks carry bikes with wheels 16in/40cm or larger. The maximum insured value of a bike on a rack is $1,500. eBikes are allowed if they meet these limits: max weight 25kg (55lb), wheelbase 111cm (44in), and wheel diameter 51–74cm (20–29in). 

Yes, these can be carried if there’s space. Please be considerate of other passengers when doing so. 
  1. Squeeze the bike rack handle up to release the lower rack. 
  2. Lift your bike onto the rack with the front wheel facing the yellow support arm and place wheels in the labelled slots.  
  3. Raise the support arm over the front tyre so the hook rests on top of the wheel.  
  1. Let the driver know you will be unloading your bike. 
  2. Unhook and lower the support arm, then lift your bike from the rack.  
  3. If no one else is using the rack, fold it back up by squeezing the handle.  

Drivers are not required to load or unload bikes. You are responsible for handling your own bike safely. 

If your eBike exceeds the weight limit, you may be able to reduce the weight by removing the battery. Removable batteries can be carried on the bus.