Pacific Northwest - Park and Rides, legal parking for bicyclists?

Is it legal for bicyclists to bring their bikes and park in the Park and Rides? There are signs posted that says it's only for bus riders and vanpoolers. I don't want to get back to my car and find it towed or ticketed.

If you are talking about Metro Park-n-Ride lot's, the website says:

"Transit Park & Ride lots are for commuter parking and are not available for residential, commercial or long term parking, or for recreational use."

With that said, I have parked in these lot's on weekends when I am meeting up with buddies for rides, and have never had a problem. Never tried it during the week.

I would have to say you are safe unless you park overnight or a cop sees you do it.

If you are talking about Metro Park-n-Ride lot's, the website says:

"Transit Park & Ride lots are for commuter parking and are not available for residential, commercial or long term parking, or for recreational use."

With that said, I have parked in these lot's on weekends when I am meeting up with buddies for rides, and have never had a problem. Never tried it during the week.

So if you park there, could you jump on your bike to commute somewhere?
Sounds like a decent idea to me. I've used park & rides to meet friends to carpool to football games and things like that---

Are these lots owned by METRO or are they provided to METRO by DOT. I know DOT has lots that are "park and ride" outside the Seattle area. If they are DOT provided I think you would be fine, the purpose of them to provide people a place to park while either carpooling or taking public transportation. Riding your bike would also fit within the intention of decreasing single occupancy vehicles in congested areas.

"Biking is a healthy, enjoyable way to travel, and Metro Transit helps you get the most out of biking throughout King County. Extend the distance you can travel with your bike by linking up with a bus or vanpool, or cycle to a nearby park-and-ride and store your bike in a locker while busing the rest of the way to your destination."

I would say that according to the Metro website that it is not only legal, but encouraged.

East Hill

East Hill the quote you provide talks about cycling to the P&R lot, which is definitely encouraged. I think that the OP is talking about driving with his bike to the P&R lot and then cycling from there.

I would tend to agree with dbikingman. Hauling your bike to a Park N Ride with your car, and then taking your bike somewhere seems like it would fit with the *spirit* of why Park N Rides exist. However, whether or not that prevents you from being ticketed by a constable having a bad day, that's another story.

I've emailed and asked about that before and its fine. This was the respone I got back.

As long as you follow the rules [
http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/parknride/pr_security.html (http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/parknride/pr_security.html) ] about
parking in the lots (parking in designated areas, etc., it is OK to park
& bike!

Ruth Andrews
Functional Analyst III
King County Metro Transit

Web site manager http://www.kingcounty.gov/metro/ (http://www.kingcounty.gov/metro/) (Metro Online - King
County Metro Transit)

More park and ride info....

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Choices/parkrideinfo.htm

Park and Ride locations, this gives many, but not all locations.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Choices/parkride.htm