Bicycles don't cost extra on the Quito Metro; just buy one ticket. That's the (only) good news.
While it is possible to use a bicycle on the Quito Metro, their trains & stations have been designed to be intentionally hostile to bicycle riders.
Intentionally Limited Space
It's common for trains to have one car that's bicycle-free. This is reasonable; it ensures space for strollers and wheelchairs. But Quito chose to do the opposite.
There's literally only one car with one spot for one bicycle on every train.
The one spot for your bicycle is in the first car (with the driver) at the front of the train. There is a clearly-marked blue "handicap" spot where you should wait with your bicycle for the train to arrive. The door to this car is marked with both a bicycle and a wheelchair icon. The spot to place your bicycle is the wheelchair spot. Yeah, there's only one spot on every train and it can either fit a bicycle or a wheelchair
Intentionally Limited Hours
While most cities are trying to encourage their residents to commute by bicycle due to the numerous benefits they provide the city, Quito Metro intentionally makes it impossible for cyclists to use the metro for commuting to & from work.
Cyclist commuters are literally not allowed to use the metro. Bicycles are not allowed to ride between the hours of:
- 05:30 - 09:59
- 16:00 - 19:59
Worse, the sun sets in Qutio before 19:59, so any cyclists who can't make it onto the train by 15:59 are being forced to ride after the sun sets -- which is extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, Quito Metro is working hard to increase cyclists deaths in this city.
Intentionally Imposed Dangers
Quito is not a very barrier-free city in-general, and it appears that they did not attempt to build their Metro (finished in 2023) any better. For example, there are no ramps to descend down to the platform. There are stairs and escalators.
Fortunately, all of the Quito Metro stations have elevators (with marked capacity for 11 people). Unfortunately, the staff will come and refuse cyclists entry into the elevators!?!
Of course, cyclists are not allowed on escalators. This makes sense because it's not safe for the cyclists and not safe for those around them.
Of course, cyclists carrying a fully-loaded bicycle back from the market up (or down) stairs is dangerous to cyclists and also those around them. Generally, it's rude for cyclists to carry a fully-loaded bike up/down stairs; if no ramps are available, it's good etiquette to take the elevator (for everyone's safety).
In all my travels on 4 Continents, I've never encountered a train station that prohibited cyclists from using the elevators.
Again, it appears that Quito Metro is intentionally trying to put cyclists (and those around them) at risk of being injured.
