train travel/bikes and people not moving.

dandelionclock30

I dont know if anyone has had any experiences like this but I think this is very bad.Yesterday I was returning from a long ride and had to take the train the last stop as I had a very large rucksack with me and couldnt carry it for another 7 miles on the bike.
When the train came I got on and went to put my bike in the bike bay and there was a couple sat on the seats where the bike is supposed to go and they wouldnt move to let me put my bike in. The train had empty seats everywhere. So I had to stand in the aisle and then people couldnt get past and people also couldnt get in the loo.
There was no ticket person to help and the couple just looked at me.:mad:. How bad is that?

rdwarr

They probably didn't know it was a "bike bay". They're often not marked as such. Did you try and explain the situation to them?

dandelionclock30

It was obvious it was the bike bay as there were pictures of bikes and two metal things on the ground and on the wall to secure bikes and straps etc.

Sgt_Pepper_2

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

It was obvious it was the bike bay as there were pictures of bikes and two metal things on the ground and on the wall to secure bikes and straps etc.

So what was their reply to your'excuse me, can I put my bike in the bike bay'?

thelawnet

Not to gloss over your complaint at all, but how far was your ride? 7 miles is not that far on a bike - have you thought about getting some panniers?

wealdroam

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

...the couple just looked at me.:mad:.

And did you just look at them?

Or were you actually brave enough to ask them if they could move?

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

How bad is that?

Not too bad, in my opinion.

dandelionclock30

I'd ridden 30 odd miles then called in on a friend to get some items. I had a massive rucksack that was very heavy I had difficulty cycling with it.
The point is that bikes are allowed on trains, and indeed have designated areas and 2 people wouldnt move for me.
I dont need panniers thanks as Im not often carrying heavy items.I would get some if it was a regular occurance but it isnt.
I just politley explained it was the bike bay and was ignored. I will just have to put it down to experience and be more assertive in future.

antonic

I would have just rammed them with the bike ! after all if its all over the bay that its a bike bay they should move upon request !.

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

I'd ridden 30 odd miles then called in on a friend to get some items. I had a massive rucksack that was very heavy I had difficulty cycling with it.
The point is that bikes are allowed on trains, and indeed have designated areas and 2 people wouldnt move for me.
I dont need panniers thanks as Im not often carrying heavy items.I would get some if it was a regular occurance but it isnt.
I just politley explained it was the bike bay and was ignored. I will just have to put it down to experience and be more assertive in future.

thelawnet

I have my panniers on permanently, even for 100 miles, and they are very handy.

dandelionclock30

Yeah thats o.k if your going to use them all the time. But if its just now and again that you have a lot to carry its quite an expense to justify a rack and 2 panniers which will probably be £150.00 at least.

PasturesNew

Bikes weren't allowed on trains where I used to live.... no room on them for bikes, full of people squeezed in and standing.

Never heard of bike bays..... but those people did sound ignorant/stupid/rude if you explained/asked and pointed.