Frequently Asked Questions: Riding METRO

We’ve made investments in people, equipment, technology and education campaigns to help protect and promote your safety when biking around METRO vehicles.

We’re also a partner of Vision Zero Houston – working with other organizations to help improve safety and accessibility of streets and sidewalks. The goal is to end traffic deaths and serious injuries caused by crashes on Houston roads by the year 2030.

Stop. Look. Listen.

That’s especially important around METRORail lines. Trains travel along the street and are very quiet. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself and those around you:

• Pay attention to and obey all traffic signs and signals 
• Never enter an intersection against the traffic lights – you could be issued a ticket
• Never stop on the tracks
• Listen for train whistles, bells and horns
• Cross the tracks only at designated crossings and only when it’s safe to do so
• Never ride or walk your bicycle around lowered crossing gates, as this indicates that a train is approaching
• Look both ways before crossing the tracks – as trains travel in both directions
• Never race a train or try to beat the train to a crossing

In Texas, helmets aren’t required for adults. But in Houston, children under the age of 18 must always wear approved bicycle helmets, as riders or passengers.