Bikes on trains

[Xiorell]

What exactley is the deal with trains and bikes?
I've only really noticed cyclists on trains once, when the train was packed and I was standing in an "in between bit" and there was cycle racks.

I was thinking of taking my bike onto a train and going to an aquatic center, it's a 15min train ride, but now I think of it, where do I put my bike?? I can't just stand in the walk way with it and I'm sure not all trains have them rack things?

(I would think about cycling the whole route but I'm thinking of this for actually buying fish from the mentioned aquatic center, it'd take to long to ride to have fish in a backpack, hence train idea)

 

[gannet]

Where are you and what time of day are you thinking of going?

I take my bike on the train every single day of the week as part of my commute. At rush hour there is a stipulation that all bikes on the train should be foldable - there is no restriction on size of folding

Most trains have bike areas - usually by the loo , but some don't, On those that don't I just stand by the doors with the bike ready to move it as needed.

Check your train companies' website for their cycling policy.

 

[Xiorell]

probabley from about 10am onwards I'd set off.
I leave from Banbury heading to Bicester, there's only 1 stop inbetween I think, sometimes none.

 

[snorri]

It depends.

There are numerous TOCs (Train Operating Companies) providing passenger rail services in this country, all have differing rules, some of which vary depending on which of their services you wish to use, or the time of day you wish to travel. Some companies demand advance booking for bicycles on some of their services whilst refusing to take advance bookings on other services.
Regarding where to put your bike on the train, board the train via the door with a white bicycle symbol on the outside. It is not possible to help you with cycle stowage as various methods are employed depending on the train type in use for the service you wish to use.
I would advise you to visit your nearest staffed rail station and seek the advice of a human at the information desk, and pick up a leaflet, the one on the Internet is a bit outdated.


http://www.nationalr...lingbyTrain.pdf

 

[SavageHoutkop]

probabley from about 10am onwards I'd set off.
I leave from Banbury heading to Bicester, there's only 1 stop inbetween I think, sometimes none.

Have a look here:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/cyclists.html

If it's a first great western, you're normally OK but bike goes at either end and you leave it to go sit in the main train. If it's Cross Country (which I don't think go to Bicester, but do go through Banbury) you need to book fullsize bikes to be guaranteed a spot; although they're not normally full (there are 3 spaces, 2 of which are reserveable). Don't know about Chiltern.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

http://www.nationalr...lingbyTrain.pdf

I have a newer one (2010) saved to my PC somehow. Wonder where I got it!

Ah
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/2011CyclingbyTrain.pdf

 

[snorri]

Wonder where I got it!

Dunno, bikes on trains was never meant to be simple.

 

[subaqua]

Have a look here:
http://www.nationalr...s/cyclists.html

If it's a first great western, you're normally OK but bike goes at either end and you leave it to go sit in the main train. If it's Cross Country (which I don't think go to Bicester, but do go through Banbury) you need to book fullsize bikes to be guaranteed a spot; although they're not normally full (there are 3 spaces, 2 of which are reserveable). Don't know about Chiltern.

chiltern state that any train whose final destination is London Marylebone between 07.00 and 09.30 , and also any service that has its final destination as one of the main birmingham stations arriving between 16.30 and 19.00 cannot have bicycles taken on them. so you should be OK - if you call chiltern the guys at the otrher end of the phone are really helpful. don't use national rail enquiries unless you want misleading and conflicting info.

call the train company direct and get them to email you the details and print it off

if you get an officious pr**k ( usually spotted with its RMT "elf n sayferty" badge) you can get difficulties.
One such jobsworth tried it on with me and he realised the error when presented with the email from chiltern saying i could take my bike on the train. he didn't like it when i asked how it was against "elfen sayferty" when he couldn't provide me with a risk assesment for the percieved hazard, bike was narrower than a wheelchair and fitted into the wheelchair space as directed, evn when the service got busier i moved into the vestibule and moved off an on train at stations to let people on and off.