Do you lock your bike when it's on a train?

[ColinJ]

Why can't you lock a bike in a train? Seems daft really.

Maybe it is in case the train management suspect it contains a bomb and want to remove it?

Mind you, I hardly think a would-be terrorist would take any notice of a 'do not lock' rule since they would clearly be ignoring the 'do not bring improvised explosive devices onto trains' rule!

 

[HLaB]

I've only ever travelled on local trains where you can usually sit right by the bike and if I can't sit I stand by it. These stories make me vary of using the train for any longer distances :-(

 

[Cush]

I always try to sit as close to the bike area as possible. Strange thing is that on the Virgin service though you do have to book a seat and that is nearly always 1/2 way down the train. The four rear seats nearest where the bikes are stored are reserved for cyclists. Sitting in these means that you can see anyone going into the bike area. As for the service between Carlisle and Newcastle I sit as near the rear as possible.

 

[steveindenmark]

I made myself a stainless steel cable at work. It will go through both the wheels, frame and panniers.

If I leave my bike anywhere I lock it up and preferrably to something solid. If I left it on a train and couldnt fasten it to the train itself, it could still be taken but it would have to be carried as the wheels are immobilised.

The cable cannot be cut with wire cutters it has to be bolt cropped.

 

[Tim Hall]

I made myself a stainless steel cable at work. It will go through both the wheels, frame and panniers.

If I leave my bike anywhere I lock it up and preferrably to something solid. If I left it on a train and couldnt fasten it to the train itself, it could still be taken but it would have to be carried as the wheels are immobilised.

The cable cannot be cut with wire cutters it has to be bolt cropped.

That sounds like a gauntlet being thrown. What diameter cable is it?

 

[Trickedem]

I travelled down from Edinburgh with my bike. My reserved seat was at the other end of the train and it was a nightmare. At every stop I was checking that my bike was OK.

 

[Globalti]

Not a bike but I once had a suitcase taken as passengers crowded to get off a train. I saw a bloke walking away with it, chased him and grabbed my case. He told me he'd thought it belonged to another passenger and he was carrying it for her.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

I would say if you cannot see it or your unable to keep an eye on it 100% of the time lock it. That feeling of turning up and your bike is missing is unbearable. I've had two bikes stolen, one from the underground car park at work (unlocked silly me) and the second chain cut around the corner from Liverpool Street station, and I still have bad dreams about it.

Recently did a cycle weekend with the club or coffee shops we all lock our bikes up and take no chances.

 

[frank9755]

Not a bike but I once had a suitcase taken as passengers crowded to get off a train. I saw a bloke walking away with it, chased him and grabbed my case. He told me he'd thought it belonged to another passenger and he was carrying it for her.

My mother in law once took someone else's suitcase on the tube from Heathrow. She was half asleep, got to our station, jumped up as the doors were about to close, grabbing a case that looked a bit like hers.

London Transport lost property managed to sort it out by the end of the weekend. She was lucky as she had other clothes at our place, but the poor guy whose case she took had a bit of a ruined weekend!

 

[frank9755]

On Vigin pendolino trains the @frank9755 technique of putting it behind the seats in first class was very successful.

Necessity was the mother of invention. It was either that or wait two hours on my own, very tired and a bit tipsy, at Preston station.

 

[jonny jeez]

I don't care if they say you can't lock your bike up on a train. I always do.

this, or direct them to this page and ask them to commit to covering the cost if the bike is stolen en-route.

 

[OskarTennisChampion]

I hang it up and sit as close to it as possible.
Trouble is,the seats all point the other way,so you have to keep looking back constantly.Not ideal.
After this heads up @Pale Rider ,I will be sure to shackle it,or just keep beside it in the luggage area

 

[jonny jeez]

You know those conditions of carriage you sign up to whenever you buy a ticket? They only accept liability for loss caused by their fault.

Surely theft from an unlocked carriage...is their fault. Failure to provide...or allow security in a space that is open to other passenger's.

 

[mjr]

You know those conditions of carriage you sign up to whenever you buy a ticket? They only accept liability for loss caused by their fault.

I'd love to know what happens. I only found http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/stolen-from-a-train-retro-loveliness but the transport police caught the thief and returned the bike before it got as far as pushing for the loss to be compensated.

Conditions of carriage don't forbid you locking your cycle. Which would you choose: obeying the extra rules and potentially losing the bike, or disobeying and potentially being thrown off the train but still having the bike?

I'd still make sure the lock is quick to undo, though. It doesn't need to be super-secure, because a thief taking too long to bust the lock should attract attention as they delay the train.

 

[martint235]

I always try to sit as close to the bike area as possible. Strange thing is that on the Virgin service though you do have to book a seat and that is nearly always 1/2 way down the train. The four rear seats nearest where the bikes are stored are reserved for cyclists. Sitting in these means that you can see anyone going into the bike area. As for the service between Carlisle and Newcastle I sit as near the rear as possible.

First Class is always, very inconsiderately in my opinion, put at the other end of the train from the bike storage area.