At DASH, we support multimodal transportation by empowering riders to travel and make their trips with bikes. That’s why all DASH buses and King Street Trolleys are equipped with bike racks.

DASH partnered with Alexandria City Councilmember Sarah Bagley to create an instructional video to assist riders with properly loading bikes onto DASH buses and King Street Trolleys.

Are You Ready to Bike & Ride with DASH?

Always wait for the bus to come to a complete stop!

• Always approach the bike rack from the curb side of the bus and not the street.
• Each bike rack can accommodate two bikes. The racks operate independently of each other, so bikes can be loaded or unloaded even if one of the rack positions is already in use.
• The cyclist is responsible for loading, securing and unloading their bike. Operators always do their best to help riders; however, bus operators may not be able to leave the bus to assist.
• For safety reasons and due to space constraints, tandem bikes or bikes with any attachments that interrupt the operator’s field of vision, such as child seats or large baskets, cannot be secured on bike racks and cannot be brought onboard buses or trolleys.
• Before the bus arrives, bikes should be “rack ready”. Remove water bottles, pumps or other loose items that may fall off in transit.
• DASH is not responsible for damage to bikes while in transit or for ensuring that bikes are unloaded by their owners. The cyclist must monitor their bike during transit.
• For safety reasons, bikes cannot be secured to any rack with a bike lock.
• If the bike rack is full, please wait for the next bus. DASH provides fare-free and frequent all-day service!

What are the Bike Rack Requirements?

• Know your wheelbase, or the distance between the center of your front wheel and the center of your rear wheel. The bike racks on DASH buses and King Street Trolleys can accommodate wheelbases up to 46 inches long.
• DASH bike racks are designed to securely hold wheels up to 3 inches wide.
• Each position on the rack can handle up to 55 pounds of weight.
• Bikes with a wheel size under 16 inches cannot be stored on the bike racks (ex. small children’s bikes). These are the only non-collapsible bikes that may be brought onboard a bus or trolley.

How Do I Use the Bike Rack?

1. Get “rack ready”. Before loading the bike in the rack, remove anything that could fall off during transit like water bottles, lights, bags or helmets.
2. Stop and wait. Be certain the driver sees you. Be sure the bus comes to a complete stop before stepping in front of the bus.
3. Locate the rack. Bike racks are located on the front of all DASH buses and King Street Trolleys.
4. Open the rack. First, pull up on the yellow handle in the center of the rack. Then, let the rack gently open until it’s parallel to the ground.
5. Pick a position. There are positions for two bikes on each rack. Bikes can only fit in one specific direction in each position. Note: The bike’s front wheel must face the same direction as the yellow handle.
6. Load the bike in the rack. The rear wheel should fit securely in place.
7. Secure the bike’s front wheel. Pull the yellow, U-shaped front-wheel holder out and up. Fit it over the top of the front wheel, securing the bike in place.
8. Board the bus or trolley and enjoy the ride!

What about e-bikes and other personal vehicles?

• E-bike tires are often wider than conventional bike tires. DASH bike racks are designed to securely hold wheels up to 3 inches wide. Check your tire width!
• Each position on the rack can handle up to 55 pounds of weight. E-bikes are usually heavier than conventional bikes, so be sure to check the e-bike weight.
• Prohibited vehicles: motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles, gasoline-powered bicycles, and any other bicycle that exceeds the size restrictions stated above are not allowed inside any bus or trolley and cannot use the bike racks.
• E-bikes with sealed gel, lithium Ion, or NiCad batteries are permitted to use the bike rack on any DASH bus or King Street Trolley if the above size and weight restrictions are not exceeded.
• Collapsible personal vehicles, such as collapsible bicycles, e-bikes, scooters/e-scooters and hoverboards, are permitted inside buses and trolleys but must be kept clear from the aisles.
• Non-collapsible scooters/e-scooters and hoverboards are permitted inside buses and trolleys but must be kept clear from the aisles.
• Except for bikes and e-bikes, personal vehicles cannot use the bike racks.

What about Scooters and E-Scooters?

• Collapsible scooters are allowed inside buses and trolleys.
• Non-collapsible scooters are allowed inside buses and trolleys based on space availability.
• All scooters must be kept clear from the aisles.
• Scooters are not permitted to use the bike racks located at the front of any bus or trolley.
• Scooters cannot be charged on the bus.
• Foldable scooters must be folded on the bus, so it does not interfere with other passengers.
• Scooters must be turned off while on the bus.
• Passengers must maintain control of scooters for the duration of their trip.
• If space is not available, just wait for the next bus! DASH provides fare-free and frequent all-day service.

Bring it on board: Folding bikes

You can take it with you! A folding bike is compact enough to bring inside buses and trolleys.

Other Helpful Resources

GO Alex is a department within the government of the City of Alexandria that connects residents to mobility resources and encourages alternatives to single-occupant vehicles, including scooters, bikes and public transit.

Vision Zero is a safety concept embraced by the City of Alexandria and communities around the world. The goal of Vision Zero is to create transportation systems with zero deaths and injuries. Vision Zero programs and policies allow communities to re-think traffic safety and achieve safer transportation systems for everyone.