Great Western Coffee Shop

All across the Great Western territory => Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them => Topic started by: CyclingSid on August 05, 2020, 10:16:50



Title: One in five Brits say they would consider [rail] commuting by bike, finds survey
Post by: CyclingSid on August 05, 2020, 10:16:50
"... according to a survey from Network Rail as it launches a partnership with Cycling UK to get more people in the saddle."
https://road.cc/content/news/1-5-brits-would-commute-bike-finds-survey-276183 (https://road.cc/content/news/1-5-brits-would-commute-bike-finds-survey-276183)
Nothing in the item about actually being able to get your bike on a train, but I suppose that is a TOC problem (sloping shoulders?), although it does come up in the comments.


Title: Re: One in five Brits say they would consider [rail] commuting by bike, finds survey
Post by: brompton rail on August 05, 2020, 11:03:16
TOCs have always been keener on cyclists leaving their bikes at stations than taking them on trains. On stations space can usually be found for bike parking - Sheffield stands - whereas on train space is at a premium, hence cupboards on Intercity Express ( class 800+). Bikes on trains are seen as troublesome, time consuming in loading, expensive on space, I.e. ‘a nuisance’ best avoided!  As a TOC person once explained to me .. if Government tell us we must carry bikes then we will, but Government hasn’t told us that and we aren’t keen.

Cycle parking at stations often fails to excite cyclists because of a lack of security. Bike racks are often covered by CCTV, but at many unstaffed stations (or staffed stations with one employee and one shift) there cannot be immediate action to stop theft. I know car parks have similar problems, but bikes are far easier to steal than cars - cut through lock, lift bike into van and off. Secure bike parking is only available very few stations, usually big ones. Leeds Cycle Point offered secure, manned parking, but it didn’t last.


Title: Re: One in five Brits say they would consider [rail] commuting by bike, finds survey
Post by: didcotdean on August 05, 2020, 11:16:13
The Netherlands, sometimes portrayed as the cyclists' heaven, doesn't allow bikes on any trains between Monday to Friday between 06.30-09.00 and 16.00-18.30 except in July and August. Outside of these times you need to both make a reservation and buy a ticket for the bike, currently €7.50 for the day irrespective of distance.


Title: Re: One in five Brits say they would consider [rail] commuting by bike, finds survey
Post by: Red Squirrel on August 05, 2020, 11:17:24
.. if Government tell us we must carry bikes then we will, but Government hasn’t told us that and we aren’t keen.

I think the Government has, now!

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=23846.msg292092#msg292092



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