Bikes on Trains - the debate goes on.

The subject of cycling is one of many debated daily through many social media channels.  Social media certainly provides an outlet for debate; often for frustrations and occasionally some praise!

One recurring theme is about being able to take bikes on trains.  This is often debated on the Facebook page for the National Cycle Network but a recent tweet certainly ignited the debate once more and I feel compelled, albeit with delay, to comment on the events.

We've discussed the issues with taking bikes on trains on this blog.  My experience of taking my bike from Burton to Stafford was ok but there were a few issues even on a short journey as the blog item explains.

Another blog post recently discussed mobility cycling and the fact that bikes are a mobility aid and vital to people who may not be able to walk long distances.

One item that certainly provoked response on Facebook was when LNER (who operate the East Coast Mainline from Kings Cross to Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh amongst other places) announced the arrival of the new Azuma train.  The Azuma has been brought in to replace an ageing fleet of diesel 125 trains and electric 225 trains.  A similar thing happened on the GWR network from Paddington to South West destinations too.

Whilst the new trains are an improvement in many aspects it is noted that in terms of cycling space they lack the spacious facilities of the 125 which had a large guard's van and the 225 which had a large driving van trailer.

As the poster shows, there is only space for 4 bikes on a 10 coach train and 2 on a 5 coach train on the Azuma.

The type of storage adopted typically used now requires the user to lift the bike up and suspend the bike from a hook mounted high.  This is mainly due to spatial economy.

125s have provided good bike storage since the 1970s

The problem with this is that it is not often easy to fit bikes when fully loaded with panniers (for those travelling long distances) and there is certainly no space for other adapted bikes or tandems.  Whilst I'm not particularly strong I'm fit and able to hang my bike.  Unfortunately not everyone is.  I mentioned above about bikes being a useful mobility aid but not everyone capable of riding a bike is physically capable of lifting a bike.

When browsing Twitter fairly recently my attention as drawn to an issue involving Cross Country trains.  A passenger had tweeted to ask about help to hang the bike as they knew they were not physically strong enough.  It is also not easy to locate someone to help hang the bike on the train and it can be very tricky when a train is crowded, which they often are.  The final response from Cross Country as shown is extraordinarily disappointing in a number of ways and does not inspire confidence, especially as Cross Country are the only operator from Burton on Trent.  Whilst Health and Safety are paramount, the tone of the response is poor. 

It's not all doom and gloom though, as Scot Rail are making some alterations to some older trains on the West Highland Line which is a popular tourist line and popular with cyclists.  More information can be read by clicking here.

It is difficult to see any significant improvement forthcoming on the railway network in the near future but the lobbying needs to continue and hopefully longer term the picture will change.