Do bikes have to wait in the car line while crossing the US border? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Do bikes have to wait in the car line while crossing the US border?

jonpurdy

jonpurdy

Well-known member
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I did a search and wasn't able to find info on this.

I haven't yet crossed on my bike and it's been years since I've crossed in a car (living overseas).

Do motorbikes have a separate line to go to while crossing? Or does it depend on the border? I'm thinking specifically Niagara Falls since I was hoping on riding down to Pennsylvania for a couple of days thanks to March Break.
 
There is no special line. Every time I crossed I waited with all the cars.

Now... I wonder what would happen if I lane split between all the cars all the way to the front?
 
daught said:
There is no special line. Every time I crossed I waited with all the cars.

Now... I wonder what would happen if I lane split between all the cars all the way to the front?
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<points> YOU!! Over there ------->
 
daught said:
There is no special line. Every time I crossed I waited with all the cars.

Now... I wonder what would happen if I lane split between all the cars all the way to the front?
Click to expand...

Have seen the Customs Officer send them to the back of the line and watched them to make sure.
 
Hi Jon.. long time no chat.. didn't know you were on here. They are all correct.. no special bike lines. So you are back in Toronto these days??

Thom
 
Thanks for the info, guys. I guess I'll have to wait if there's a line (as my filtering antics probably wouldn't be tolerated by the border guards).
 
I recommend you get Nexus... You never wait. It cost $10 per year but worth every penny. Especially on those hot summer days waiting in line. Also don't have to remember your passport since it replaces it for US crossing.
 
jaygreene24 said:
I recommend you get Nexus... You never wait. It cost $10 per year but worth every penny. Especially on those hot summer days waiting in line. Also don't have to remember your passport since it replaces it for US crossing.
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Good advice. Unfortunately I've only been back in Canada for the past seven months so I'm not eligible (must have lived here for the last three years continuously).
 
Wish we would be allowed through the transport truck lanes, those almost always have 0 wait.
 
cycling said:
Have seen the Customs Officer send them to the back of the line and watched them to make sure.
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Love to see most that would do that attempt the turn after getting to the front.
Now, that's a youtube waiting to happen.
Cue, "give me forty acres" soundtrack.
 
Different scene and line of thought is waiting for a ferry. Often they will wave bikes ahead because they can stash them into little spaces between cars.
 
Baggsy said:
Love to see most that would do that attempt the turn after getting to the front.
Now, that's a youtube waiting to happen.
Cue, "give me forty acres" soundtrack.
Click to expand...

I was on a bridge watching this happen.The biker road up the same lane that he/she came down but did not go all the way back.Maybe 15 cars or so.When he/she got to the customs box they where sent all the way back.
 
Yup-----wait in line with everyone else! Split the lanes?---if they see you, and the bridge authority does watch and have cameras, plan on getting sent back to end of line or refused entry! Yes they will do this--just because they can!
 
Thats why we have a little wait----no cars or bikes in the lanes we need! We are working--not on holiday! Yes, I ride a bike too!
 
Motorcycles wait in the line like cars, but anytime I've seen bicyclists (or bicycled over myself) and the line was long, I've proceeded (and seen others do it too) straight to the booth and waited a few cars back from the inspection station. Never had the attendant tell me to go to the back. This is one instance where taking a bicycle can actually make time on cars.
 
As others have said, have to wait in line. I've gotten into the habit to check border wait times as I get close and go through the quickest one.

The Friday on Victoria Day long weekend, Queenston had a hour and a half wait, Rainbow Bridge was straight through
 
I ride across the Peace Bridge regularly to visit my in-laws. No express lane for bike unless you have the Nexus pass. I usually wind up shutting the engine off and walking the bike if the wait times are too long, but that's rare.
 
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