Thursday, May 21, 2026

Pasadena Transit, Metro, Metrolink Waive Fares Today for Bike Day

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Four agencies offer free rides Thursday across Los Angeles County; a pit stop at City Hall greets cyclists with coffee and giveaways

Riders can board any Pasadena Transit bus today without paying a cent — and the same goes for Metro buses, Metro trains, and Metro Micro across Los Angeles County — as four transit agencies waive fares for Bike Day, Thursday, May 21.

Pasadena Transit, Pasadena Dial-A-Ride, LA Metro, and LADOT Transit are charging nothing for the day. Metrolink, the regional commuter rail system, is offering free rides to anyone who boards with a bicycle. The coordinated promotion covers bus routes, rail lines, on-demand shuttles, and bike-share stations from Pasadena to the coast.

Bike Day falls during Pasadena Bike Month 2026, which runs Saturday, May 2, through Sunday, May 31. The City of Pasadena Department of Transportation, in partnership with Day One and the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition, is hosting 15 free events throughout the month, according to a city press release.

A Bike to Work Day pit stop at Pasadena City Hall, 100 Garfield Ave., runs from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The city’s Eventbrite listing describes coffee, snacks, and giveaways at the Garfield Avenue entrance — with some freebies available only to those who arrive by bike. Pasadena Cyclery is providing bike checks and air for tires at the pit stop, according to the event listing.

“Whether you’re riding to work or working from home, come by on your bike to say hello and enjoy some coffee and a snack on us!” the event listing states. The event is open to everyone, including people who work from home.

All 11 Pasadena Transit routes are fare-free today. No payment, TAP card, or registration is required — riders board at any stop, according to the official Pasadena Transit social media account. Pasadena Dial-A-Ride, the curb-to-curb paratransit service for residents aged 60 and older and those with qualifying disabilities, is also free; the service covers Pasadena, Altadena, San Marino, and portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County. Advance reservations, normally required at least 24 hours ahead, remain required; call (626) 744-4094 for reservations or applications.

Bike to Work Day is one of six annual free-fare days on Pasadena Transit, which also include Transit Equity Day, Earth Day, Clean Air Day, Black Friday, and Small Business Saturday, according to the city’s published fare schedule.

“The City is pleased to once again support Bike Month, which is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to see, hear, taste, and feel all that Pasadena has to offer while riding a bicycle,” Joaquin T. Siques, director of transportation for the City of Pasadena, said in a city press release.

Siques said the city is hosting an e-bike expo for the third time, along with bike education events and family rides in partnership with the Pasadena Public Library and the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department, according to the press release.

LA Metro confirmed on its website that all buses, trains, and Metro Micro rides are free Thursday. No bike is required. Metro Bike Share is also offering free 30-minute rides using promo code 052126, redeemable through the Metro Bike Share app or at any station kiosk by selecting “1-Ride,” according to Metro’s Bike Month page. The code can be redeemed multiple times throughout the day. After 30 minutes, rides cost $1.75 per additional half-hour, and the electric bike unlocking fee is waived, Metro states.

LADOT Transit announced on its website that all DASH, Commuter Express, and Cityride services are free Thursday. The standard DASH fare of 50 cents — 25 cents for seniors and riders with disabilities — is waived entirely. Its LAnow on-demand shuttle service requires the promo code ACTIVE26 for two free rides, according to the LADOT Transit announcement.

Metrolink announced in a May 18, 2026, press release that it will offer free rides on all trains, including Arrow service, to customers traveling with a bicycle. Standard bicycles and electric bikes meeting Metrolink’s size and weight requirements are permitted onboard. Unlike Metro, Metrolink’s promotion requires a bike — the bicycle serves as fare for the day, the press release states.

Most Metrolink rail cars can hold up to three bicycles; designated bike cars hold as many as nine. Arrow trains can carry up to 12 bikes per car. Not all train sets are equipped with a dedicated bike car, the press release notes. Bike spaces are available first-come, first-served.

“Bike Day is about showing Southern Californians how easily cycling and public transit can work together,” Metrolink Board Chair Doug Chaffee said in the press release. “Many of our riders use bikes for first- and last-mile connections, adding exercise and sustainability into their everyday routines. This is a chance for others to explore pairing these complementary modes of transportation, while riding for free on Bike Day.”

Metrolink’s Codeshare and Rail 2 Rail programs with Amtrak Pacific Surfliner are not included in the promotion, the press release notes. Riders on Pacific Surfliner trains must purchase applicable fare.

Several other transit agencies across Los Angeles County are also offering free or discounted fares for cyclists Thursday, including Big Blue Bus, Culver CityBus, Norwalk Transit, and Torrance Transit, according to agency announcements.

Standard Pasadena Transit fares waived today are 75 cents for a regular ride, 50 cents for youth, and 35 cents for seniors and riders with disabilities. All Pasadena Transit buses carry front-loading bike racks. Riders can plan trips using the Transit app, Google Maps, or by calling (626) 791-7200. Helmets are required for riders under 18 and recommended for all ages, according to city safety guidelines.

Mayor Victor M. Gordo proclaimed May 2026 as Pasadena Bike Month on May 4, calling the bicycle “an economically and environmentally sustainable form of transportation,” according to the city’s proclamation.

Last year’s Bike to Work Day drew 30 participants. Pasadena Bike Month 2025 drew 328 total participants and 225 unique riders across 21 rides and events, up from 252 participants across 10 events in 2024, according to city records.

“This year, we’re excited to include an E-bike Expo for the third time as well as bike education events and family-oriented rides in partnership with the Pasadena Public Library and the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department,” Siques said.