Bike racks on Metlink buses will be temporarily disabled from Saturday, 9 November, until further notice, following an advisory from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). The directive comes after NZTA reminded public transport providers that front-mounted bike racks should not obstruct bus headlamps, especially during low-light conditions.
Samantha Gain, Metlink’s group manager, says the notice has sparked uncertainty within the transport sector about compliance, leading Metlink to suspend bike rack usage across its fleet. “Metlink’s top priority is the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and staff. Until we receive further guidance from NZTA, we’ve made the difficult decision to lock all bike racks,” says Gain.
Gain explains that the restriction will apply throughout the day, not just at night, to prevent confusion. “We apologise for the inconvenience, but safety is non-negotiable.”
Metlink is working with NZTA, bus operators, and industry bodies to find a resolution. Gain notes that past testing showed most Metlink bike racks met compliance standards, but racks will remain locked as a precaution.
Meanwhile, passengers are encouraged to use Metlink trains, where bicycles are still allowed.