Experiences of taking an ebike on a train?

[This Wreckage]

I'm considering my first ebike. I currently take my manual bike on trains. Local trains are fine to push the bike into the slot. Long-distance trains require cyclists to raise the bike to hook it inside the little vestibule by the doors. Given that ebikes are much heavier, how do UK ebikers cope with it? I might be making a fuss about nothing, but as mid-drive bikes are heavier than rear-driven bikes, it's a consideration.

 

[wiggydiggy]

It really depends on the carriage as you've found. The rolling stock I get sent can vary from those with very wide vestibles that my bike just rolls into, to those stupid little hanging cupboards I can't get any bike into easily. If you already use a bike on a train then you'll probably have a good idea of whats needed.

Do look at bikes first though, weight on eBikes has dropped a lot in the last couple years though you do pay for that weightloss (though that is nothing new to cycling!).

 

[Drago]

A folding ebike might be a versatile solution?

 

[kingrollo]

A lot of ebikes aren't much heavier these days - especially not in terms of handling them.

I have a decathlon X35 based road. It's heavier to pedal than my best carbon bike - but in terms of lifting it and putting it in and out ok f cars no real difference.

Depends of which type of ebike you buy. My decathlon is around 14kg . So very lift up able !!

 

[88robb]

It’s a genuine hassle. The weight is the main issue lifting a mid-drive onto hooks is tough, especially if the train is crowded or moving. Some people remove the battery first to shed weight. On busy long-distance services, guards can be grumpy about the space. Honestly, many e-cyclists avoid trains for long trips unless absolutely necessary. It’s doable, but expect it to be more awkward and tiring than with a manual bike.

 

[Kingfisher101]

You cant lock an E bike up at Leeds train station its banned, I dont know if this is the case with other stations. But it might be worth checking if you need to lock your bike up at all.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

You cant lock an E bike up at Leeds train station its banned, I dont know if this is the case with other stations. But it might be worth checking if you need to lock your bike up at all.

I have heard that - I presume it applies even if the battery is not attached?
i.e. the risk is about the same as a normal bike

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Some trains only accept folding ebikes iirc, down in London.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

You cant lock an E bike up at Leeds train station its banned, I dont know if this is the case with other stations. But it might be worth checking if you need to lock your bike up at all.

If this true???
not doubting you, but I can;t find anything about it online

 

[wiggydiggy]

If this true???
not doubting you, but I can;t find anything about it online

It is. There's a few printed posters stuck to the walls at the various racks. I might have emailed them once to ask but can't remember if I ever got a reply.

Best guess is a local station manager has done it, and head office may know but don't care.

 

[Gwylan]

Wait 'til you try getting it into a GWR train. The location you booked will most likely have an unbooked bike in your place.
If not there will be luggage and or passengers in there. Or it will be locked and there's no sign of a competent employee.
Actually getting the front wheel onto the "hook" to hang the bike up is the least of your worries. It's designed to be impossible without some superhuman force.
By which time some knob has nicked your seat and the human interaction things get interesting.

Journeys with GWR has only worked once in the many times I've done it. That was because I actually got on the wrong train and blustered my way from Cardiff to Paddington.

 

[CXRAndy]

Trains and other forms of transport are becoming more awkward re ebikes.

 

[ColinJ]

Wait 'til you try getting it into a GWR train. The location you booked will most likely have an unbooked bike in your place.
If not there will be luggage and or passengers in there.

That reminds me...

I was telling someone on your forum ride on Saturday that I had once reserved a space on a train from Coventry to Leeds but found that the space was taken by an unreserved bike. The official on the train was not interested in enforcing the rules so I ended up securing my bike elsewhere with a bungee cord.

I went to my bike as we were pulling in to Leeds and spotted the owner of the unreserved bike retrieving his machine. It was then-regular forum member @Calum, a student at Leeds who had been on many of my forum rides.

Calum is short so I tower over him. I crept up behind him, put my hand on his shoulder from behind, and in my deepest voice barked "EXCUSE ME, SIR - YOU DID NOT HAVE A RESERVATION FOR THAT BIKE!"

He almost had an involuntary bowel movement as he turned round, muttering excuses. Then he recognised me ...

Oh, and once (again coming back from Coventry) there was such overcrowding on a post-Christmas train that staff refused to let anyone board, bike or not, seat reservation or not.

 

[classic33]

It is. There's a few printed posters stuck to the walls at the various racks. I might have emailed them once to ask but can't remember if I ever got a reply.

Best guess is a local station manager has done it, and head office may know but don't care.

Not done by a local station manager. The ban was put in place by Network Rail, and applies to all stations owned/operated by them.
Leeds being just one.

 

[mjr]

Not done by a local station manager. The ban was put in place by Network Rail, and applies to all stations owned/operated by them.
Leeds being just one.

Is that on their website, or left as a nasty surprise after you arrive at the station on your e-bike?

Meanwhile, LNER sponsor the Leeds e-bike hire scheme! Leeds Beryl e-bike hire scheme links up with rail firm LNER - BBC News – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp3qxpw9769o