Bikes on trains!

I have noticed that the train from Dunblane to Edinburgh always has too many cyclists trying to get their bikes onboard, and as there's only two bikes allowed on, there's always a mad rush with somebody left having to wait for the next train.  

 

Its really annoying if you have a meeting or a job interview as there's nowhere to lock your bike up on the platform, and no time to rush back through the barriers and lock up your bike outside, so you just have to miss the train.  So every time I want to go to Edinburgh I have to decide whether to risk taking my bike, as this will probably mean missing the train.  And the train staff are really unsympathetic and act like we're just being really awkward by trying to take our bikes on the train.

 

Scotrail dont seem to have noticed yet that this is a problem!  Can we all get together and make a representation to them to put an extra bike carriage on the train? 

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Abbess on May 22, 2011 at 15:28

An extra "bike carrage" on a train would be great but I think the days of the guards van / luggage van on trains is long gone and Train Operating Companies have not got spare extra carrages sitting around to put on peak commuter services.

If you dont have your own folding bike this Brompton folding bike hire scheme as run by South West Trains would solve the problem of the cycle commuter on trains. It has been tried and tested, could work in Scotland and would be far less expensive than buiding lots of extra carrages. see  http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/bromptonbikes.aspx



Permalink Reply by Philippa Cochrane on May 23, 2011 at 9:42
That's an amazing scheme and great to see that it's managed by Southwest trains themselves.
Permalink Reply by Markus Stitz on May 28, 2011 at 15:32

Hi Caroline,

 

Good point, I would join in. I am commuting to Bridge of Allan from Edinburgh and have the problem sometimes, although some conductors are quite flexible with the policy of having only 2 bikes on the trains, and allow more. But it would be beneficial to raise awareness, I got stuck a few times in Stirling station recently on Sundays as they were too many bikes on the train already.

Permalink Reply by Andrew Abbess on August 18, 2011 at 12:29


Philippa Cochrane said:
That's an amazing scheme and great to see that it's managed by Southwest trains themselves.
 
 
South West Trains have now extended the scheme to include hiring Brompton folding bikes from an unmanned "bike Dock" at Guilford Station
It would be great if this were available in Scotland....
Permalink Reply by Archie J on August 19, 2011 at 10:01
i get the Edinburgh train and the cycle carriage is usually the type that doubles up as a wheelchair position when you raise/lower the bar, and normally only takes three bikes. The carriage type used on the Alloa - Glasgow Queen St. service has a number (6 each side) of cycle hangers for bikes. So with a single area similar to that of the edinburgh train there is capacity for 4 times the bikes! You do have to hang the bike by the back wheel - but if you carry a 50mm piece of pipe insulation to put on the metal hanger it stops the inside of the rim getting marked. (or if you forget - lay your glove over it first!)
Permalink Reply by Andrew Abbess on May 24, 2012 at 10:26

In addition to the South West trains Brompton "bike Dock" scheme at Guilford & Waterloo Virgin Trains are now doing the same in Manchester: 

http://www.bromptondock.co.uk/

 

I think a scheme like this in Scotland would really help with lack of bike capacity on trains.
 
Andrew Abbess said:



Philippa Cochrane said:
That's an amazing scheme and great to see that it's managed by Southwest trains themselves.
 
 
South West Trains have now extended the scheme to include hiring Brompton folding bikes from an unmanned "bike Dock" at Guilford Station
It would be great if this were available in Scotland....
Permalink Reply by Andy Turnbull on April 29, 2013 at 13:29

Hi guys/girls.

I've commuted by bike/train in and out of Glasgow daily for the last 15 years or so... I usually put my bike on the train on the way in, then ride home - hopefully with a tailwind!

In all those years I have been refused entry to the train on grounds of capacity exactly twice!

I have to say that having listened to debates on national forums, Scotrail's service is one of the very best in this regard - for instance bikes are banned altogether on London trains during rush hours.

Just make sure you turn up in plenty of time for your train - and are one of the first to get on and there is usually no problem. The guards will often tolerate up to 4 bikes in the space for two - if they are carefully racked (nose to tail).

My usual morning train to Glasgow (7:23am) currently has provision for 12 (yes 12) bikes!

If you are travelling on a weekend when you expect it to be busy, then buy your ticket in advance, book a seat and you can then book a free space for your bike.

Cheers, Andy

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