Northeast - NYC commuters---Are bikes allowed on the NY/NJ Path train?

I'm looking to bike my way to Newark and take the path into manhattan. I can't find any bicycle information on the Path website.

Does anyone know if this can be done?

You're not looking hard enough, it's on there.

You can't bring a standard bike on the PATH during rush hours. You can bring a folding bike on the PATH any time. Given how crowded the PATH trains are and the lack of storage space (unlike NJ Transit, Metro North etc) I do not recommend doing a "bike + PATH" commute, even with a folding bike, unless you have unusual hours.

Also, conductors won't let you put any kind of bike on the 1st train. But that's not a written policy.

You're not looking hard enough, it's on there.

You can't bring a standard bike on the PATH during rush hours. You can bring a folding bike on the PATH any time. Given how crowded the PATH trains are and the lack of storage space (unlike NJ Transit, Metro North etc) I do not recommend doing a "bike + PATH" commute, even with a folding bike, unless you have unusual hours.

Also, conductors won't let you put any kind of bike on the 1st train. But that's not a written policy.

Thanks for the info. I think this might work for an off-peak method of transit (weekends), as long as I can find a low-traffic way to Newark.

From http://www.transalt.org/info/aboard.html

PATH: 800-234-PATH/201-216-6247; Permit not required. No bikes 6am - 9:30am (inbound to NYC) and 3pm - 6:30pm (outbound from NYC) weekdays. No restrictions weekends or Holidays. No more than two bikes per car. Folding bikes allowed at all times. See further details online. (http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/path/html/rules.html)

Your answer was right there in the first response:

If you are biking to Newark PENN, take the NJ Transit to NYC PENN. I think the cost is close to the path cost, and they (apparently) have bike provisions.

Unless you were catching the DOWNTOWN Path, in which case you're still screwed.

You could also find someone in the Ironbound area (the portuguese area just barely east of NJ Penn near Ferry street) who will let you lock your bike in their back yard, and just do trains in the city.

It appears that this is similar to NJ Transit and Amtrak, but does anyone have specific experience?

Here is the link from the path website.

http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/path/html/rules.html

Your answer was right there in the first response:

If you are biking to Newark PENN, take the NJ Transit to NYC PENN. I think the cost is close to the path cost, and they (apparently) have bike provisions.

Unless you were catching the DOWNTOWN Path, in which case you're still screwed.

You could also find someone in the Ironbound area (the portuguese area just barely east of NJ Penn near Ferry street) who will let you lock your bike in their back yard, and just do trains in the city.

NJ Transit is substantially more expensive than PATH. The latter also has the advantage of being 24 hour service.

It appears that this is similar to NJ Transit and Amtrak, but does anyone have specific experience?


I'm only taken my bike on the PATH twice from Jersey City to Manhattan. Both times were off peak and nobody said a word to me. It's a bit more cramped than the NYC Subway and you'll probably have to carry the bike over the turnstyles. If yo get ff at Ground Zero (ETC) it's a long way up to street level.

Local bike clubs, like BBC, have regular trips that use the PATH system.
http://5bbc.org/images/2007/20070304b_underover_large.jpg

I'm only taken my bike on the PATH twice from Jersey City to Manhattan. Both times were off peak and nobody said a word to me. It's a bit more cramped than the NYC Subway and you'll probably have to carry the bike over the turnstyles. If yo get ff at Ground Zero (ETC) it's a long way up to street level.

Local bike clubs, like BBC, have regular trips that use the PATH system.

Thanks for the pix - gives some better perspective. I thought I read only two bikes to a car, but if it's off-peak it seems they don't bother you, I guess?

Trains are very crowded during rush hour. A folding bike or small bike would be the only real option. If you try it wrap the bike in a painters drop cloth and secure it with bungee cords.

During rush hour I've taken the PATH with a folding bike folded up and bagged. No problems. Well, maybe the time I dropped it down the stairs, but that's a different sort of problem.

NJ Transit is more expensive, but I've always found PATH to be cramped and a generally miserable experience. Their bike policy also has no provisions for folding bikes. I'd be leery of using it as part of a regular commute. It it were just once or twice, I wouldn't worry about it.

The bigger PATH stations (WTC, 33rd St, Newark - and, it appears, Hoboken, though I haven't checked it out in a while) all have elevators & at least one bike/wheelchair-friendly turnstile. The elevator at WTC from street level to the turnstile level is great - right next to those long escalators.

To me, avoiding Penn Station in Manhattan is another plus for PATH vs. NJ Transit...