Folding bikes on buses

[StuartG]

Folders on TfL buses are now treated on the same basis as prams etc. That is the driver has the right to refuse if there is not enough space. Quite sensible as in London there will be another along shortly.

The requirement for it to be bagged appears to have been quietly dropped on TfL's website. Intriguingly if you go by tram is says explicity that it does not require a container. Full story: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11701.aspx

 

[jennywren]

I have just been refused my folder on a Norfolk Green Coasthopper bus. My Brompton was in it's cover. The driver said that the company had had to tighten their rules after someone's bike fell on a lady's leg and injured her. Any suggestions?

 

[ricky1980]

in london foldable bikes are allowed on all public transports regardless of time of the day. but taking bikes onto a bus defeats the point doesnt it?! unless u have suffered some kind of failure. plus bike is quicker than bus always.

 

[Drago]

I have just been refused my folder on a Norfolk Green Coasthopper bus. My Brompton was in it's cover. The driver said that the company had had to tighten their rules after someone's bike fell on a lady's leg and injured her. Any suggestions?

That does seem ridiculous. Prams, bags of shopping, zimmer frames etc all have the capacity to cause injury yet are still permitted. I'm a big heavy old lump and if I lost my balance on a bus and fell on a proverbial old lady she's gonna get hurt, yet they don't ban fatso a from buses.

I'd write to the bus company and see what rationale they can give for banning one form of hand-luggage, but allowing a load of others.

 

[jennywren]

I like to use the bus with my folded bike to access quiet country lanes and avoid cycling for several miles along a busy main road (yes we do have such a thing in Norfolk!). I've written a 'sweet' email to the bus company hoping to open a conversation with them, along the lines of "is there any way I can do this pleeeeease!!!!"
Does anyone know of another bus company that has made the same stand?

 

[Lurker]

in london foldable bikes are allowed on all public transports regardless of time of the day. but taking bikes onto a bus defeats the point doesnt it?! unless u have suffered some kind of failure. plus bike is quicker than bus always.

Not at all. Being able to take a folding bike onto a bus increases your travel options since it means that you can cycle on the outward journey and put the bike on the bus on the return journey. Really nice option to have if - say - you're tired, or it's pouring with rain, or you've had several drinks, or you're travelling with friends/family on the return journey.

 

[Lurker]

I like to use the bus with my folded bike to access quiet country lanes and avoid cycling for several miles along a busy main road (yes we do have such a thing in Norfolk!). I've written a 'sweet' email to the bus company hoping to open a conversation with them, along the lines of "is there any way I can do this pleeeeease!!!!"
Does anyone know of another bus company that has made the same stand?

Good luck! It does sound like an over-zealous bus driver in your case. You could point out that Transport for London have no problem with folded bikes on buses in busy London - so if it works there, why not in Norfolk. Obviously one needs to be sensible about this and treat fellow passengers with consideration - but as others have pointed out, this applies whatever luggage is being carried (a bike is a special form of luggage - and in the case of a Brompton is specifically designed to be carried on public transport, e.g. with the chain placed inside the frame when folded. And as in your case, it even has the option of a specially designed bag to give further protection).

BTW in the current issue of LCC magazine, 'London Cyclist', on p. 58 there's an article about 'Crazy Bee', the London bus driver and co-founder of the London Brompton Club, who explains that about two years ago he was looking for a way to get healthier, and says "I'm a bus driver and when I'm working I often see people fold up their bikes before getting on the bus. So I went out and looked at all of the different folding bikes and I liked the look of the Brompton...".

Maybe some of the Norfolk bus fleet drivers you mention might be encouraged to get themselves folding bikes if the company does any workplace health initiatives (for example) - bet they'd have a better appreciation of how bikes and buses can work well together.... So there's another message for the bus company here: People who use buses and bikes in combination are some of their best customers/potential market. After all, the obvious alternative is to drive, which means a) no fare income and b) more congested roads for buses....

 

[jennywren]

Thank you Lurker and everyone for your helpful comments and ideas. This gives me confidence to contest this with some background info up my sleeve. I'll let you know the outcome. Happy new year to y'all.

 

[jennywren]

I have had an encouraging reply from the bus company. The bottom line is that I must find a carry case for my Brompton so that it is not recognisiable as a bike!

 

[Little yellow Brompton]

I have had an encouraging reply from the bus company. The bottom line is that I must find a carry case for my Brompton so that it is not recognisiable as a bike!

Ahhhh ! So that when it falls on a little old lady , she won't realise it was a bike ?

 

[jefmcg]

I rarely take my cycle onto a bus, except when I'm with someone and want to keep them company. I was once forced to use a London bus, after snapping a seat rail ( - gotta lay off those pies!). The driver was a real arse about it. It was well after 7, the bus was not crowded, I was polite, but for some reason she decided to give me a lecture about how she didn't have to let me bring it on board, if there were too many pushchairs in the wheelchair area etc etc. There were no pushchairs on the bus.

I started to argue with her about it, she responded that she was "doing me a favour" (by sitting in the drivers seat, and not forcing me off the bus for no reason). I know how they can be petty tyrants, so I sucked it up and put my cycle into the raised bag area near the front of the bus. That made her stop with the speech about pushchairs as I wasn't using that area. I don't think it crossed her mind that little me could lift the bike 3 feet.

 

[jennywren]

@LYB So the driver can say he didn't realise it was a bike....a bike incognito, posing as a bag of washing ......

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I've had my Birdy on the bus covered up.

 

[jennywren]

I've had my Birdy on the bus covered up.

So when covered, is it recognisable as a bike?
Did you buy a special Birdy cover?

 

[Black Sheep]

I have just been refused my folder on a Norfolk Green Coasthopper bus. My Brompton was in it's cover. The driver said that the company had had to tighten their rules after someone's bike fell on a lady's leg and injured her. Any suggestions?

check with the company if this is policy or just the driver making things up,
could also ask if they banned folded up prams etc