Taking off the Front Wheel... London Underground!

[TheLondonCyclist]

I was just curious, what makes a bike? obviously a full bike would be classed as a bike, but what if one took the front wheel off? it would be a frame and wheel, then you'd have another wheel randomly in your other hand. Would it still be classed as a bike? another thing I found is that a customer was told by a nice worker that if he "wrapped" the bike up in something, then it would be classed as luggage and would be allowed on, but still take up the same room on the train...

What do you think about this bicycle business on the underground?

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Inconsistent? A classic case of double-standards?
I've been wondering the same thing in relation to our train system in Melbourne. The train operators refuse to guarantee you'll be allowed to take bicycles on the train, and you get charged extra for taking them on the longer-distance country trains. However, someone could turn up to a metro/country train with a large pram and be allowed on without question.
I do of course realise that you must make allowances for parents with very young kids, but it's still inconsistent, and the number of bicycles or prams on any given train is likely to be relatively small on any given day (unless there's a special event on catering to each of these groups).

 

[TheLondonCyclist]

Inconsistent? A classic case of double-standards?
I've been wondering the same thing in relation to our train system in Melbourne. The train operators refuse to guarantee you'll be allowed to take bicycles on the train, and you get charged extra for taking them on the longer-distance country trains. However, someone could turn up to a metro/country train with a large pram and be allowed on without question.
I do of course realise that you must make allowances for parents with very young kids, but it's still inconsistent, and the number of bicycles or prams on any given train is likely to be relatively small on any given day (unless there's a special event on catering to each of these groups).

We have huge escalators on some of the underground stations and parents are allowed to take their pram on the escalators with their child still in it, but it's considered dangerous for a person to take a bicycle on the escalators lol

 

[L14M]

We have huge escalators on some of the underground stations and parents are allowed to take their pram on the escalators with their child still in it, but it's considered dangerous for a person to take a bicycle on the escalators lol

Use the lift?

I was thinking about folding bikes.. technically they are bikes?

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Inconsistent? A classic case of double-standards?
I've been wondering the same thing in relation to our train system in Melbourne. The train operators refuse to guarantee you'll be allowed to take bicycles on the train, and you get charged extra for taking them on the longer-distance country trains. However, someone could turn up to a metro/country train with a large pram and be allowed on without question.
I do of course realise that you must make allowances for parents with very young kids, but it's still inconsistent, and the number of bicycles or prams on any given train is likely to be relatively small on any given day (unless there's a special event on catering to each of these groups).

It rather depends when you are taking them on. During rush hour it is a mission to get a very small person on with no luggage at all.

Also, parents are NOT allowed to take on prams and push chairs onto the tube and escalators, you are supposed to collapse them, it's just everyone ignores that.

 

[TheLondonCyclist]

Use the lift?

I was thinking about folding bikes.. technically they are bikes?

Folding bikes are allowed because they take up less room, but normal sized bikes aren't, even though some prams are big as or bigger than some bikes.. like BMX bikes for example.

 

[Sara_H]

It rather depends when you are taking them on. During rush hour it is a mission to get a very small person on with no luggage at all.

Also, parents are NOT allowed to take on prams and push chairs onto the tube and escalators, you are supposed to collapse them, it's just everyone ignores that.

I once saw a pushchair with baby in it tumble all the way down an escalator. The screams of both mum and baby were horrific. Baby very badly bruised at the bottom. Twas horrendous.

 

[ScotiaLass]

In an ideal world, the operators would put on an extra carriage, half seating, half bike racks. Sorted.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

In an ideal world, the operators would put on an extra carriage, half seating, half bike racks. Sorted.

Yes! And have crazy things like, oh, I dunno, a LIFT (try going round London Underground with a wheelchair user, it's near freaking impossible!)

I mean it's all very well and good saying you should do this and that, but if you are on your own with two small chldren, how the hell are you supposed to carry a folded up push chair, them and and any bags you have? I don't even have any children and that's so obvious it hurts me!

 

[vickster]

Folding bikes are allowed because they take up less room, but normal sized bikes aren't, even though some prams are big as or bigger than some bikes.. like BMX bikes for example.

Ride the bike rather than taking it on the underground. You are allowed bikes on ground level lines, at least off peak. On deep lines not, as they pose a hazard in case of emergency etc. makes sense

 

[vickster]

In an ideal world, the operators would put on an extra carriage, half seating, half bike racks. Sorted.

On the underground why? At busy times there is barely room to stand
Surely the bike is its own mode of transport. Even the Dutch only have limited space for bikes on trains

 

[Dan B]

Last time I wanted to put a bike on the underground it was because it was broken. The bike, I mean, not the underground

 

[L14M]

Lol,
I have had to take bike on the underground before but that's due to getting a connection train then finally in Luton I cycle the last 10miles

 

[ScotiaLass]

On the underground why? At busy times there is barely room to stand
Surely the bike is its own mode of transport. Even the Dutch only have limited space for bikes on trains

I meant on trains lol

 

[vickster]

Original post about underground. Aren't bikes for riding outside, not transporting on trains