Just a little rant after my second journey by train with my bike did not go so well.
Yesterday I didn't find a designated area on the train for my bike and ended up standing in the disabled spot with it, but it was ok. I think I needed to be at the other end of the train but the conductor never said and I was only going two stops so it didn't matter.
Today I was all excited when I approached the train and saw the bicycle on the side. Less excited when I got on and saw the space was occupied by two empty pushchairs.
I located the owners and they happily folded them and another passenger moved her suitcase to make it easier to accommodate us all. I was just thinking about taking a photo of my bike, as you do, when passengers started piling up luggage in front of it. Thinking ahead to the complications of getting off again I asked if they'd mind not doing, and they apologised and took their bags away.
But then the conductor appeared and started helping people shove their luggage into my bike. I did not have a happy face.
I asked if they could possibly not do that, please and thank you and was told that I was sitting in the wrong place and the bags had to go there. I pointed out that northern rail are supposed to be encouraging cyclists to use their trains and the reply was "bikes are the least of my priorities. Customers come first"
Obviously not customers with bikes!
I was going to argue this point but he walked off muttering. I seem to have that affect on people lately.
I have taken his name and lodged a complaint quoting part of their website where it describes cyclists as their natural allies!!
I did consider being belligerent and shoving everyone's bags out of my way when I got to my stop, but I decided to be a grown up about it and lifted the bike over the top. If I could have put it down on the conductors feet my more childish side may have come out though.
Yesterday I didn't find a designated area on the train for my bike and ended up standing in the disabled spot with it, but it was ok. I think I needed to be at the other end of the train but the conductor never said and I was only going two stops so it didn't matter.
Today I was all excited when I approached the train and saw the bicycle on the side. Less excited when I got on and saw the space was occupied by two empty pushchairs.
I located the owners and they happily folded them and another passenger moved her suitcase to make it easier to accommodate us all. I was just thinking about taking a photo of my bike, as you do, when passengers started piling up luggage in front of it. Thinking ahead to the complications of getting off again I asked if they'd mind not doing, and they apologised and took their bags away.
But then the conductor appeared and started helping people shove their luggage into my bike. I did not have a happy face.
I asked if they could possibly not do that, please and thank you and was told that I was sitting in the wrong place and the bags had to go there. I pointed out that northern rail are supposed to be encouraging cyclists to use their trains and the reply was "bikes are the least of my priorities. Customers come first"
Obviously not customers with bikes!
I was going to argue this point but he walked off muttering. I seem to have that affect on people lately.
I have taken his name and lodged a complaint quoting part of their website where it describes cyclists as their natural allies!!
I did consider being belligerent and shoving everyone's bags out of my way when I got to my stop, but I decided to be a grown up about it and lifted the bike over the top. If I could have put it down on the conductors feet my more childish side may have come out though.