Taking a folding bike on a train

SiliconChip

I'm planning to buy a folding electric bike once the weather gets a bit better. The main reason for folding is so that I can put it inside my car rather than having to pay a significant extra amount for a tow bar to be fitted and a tow bar carrier to be acquired, I'm also likely to want to take it on trains occasionally.

Does anyone know if a bike that's folded is treated as a bike or as luggage when taking a train that requires a space to be booked for a bike? It would be much easier if it's luggage and it can be placed in the suitcase rack at the end of the carriage, and offers a lot more flexibility on which train to take.

I suppose I should also take the opportunity to ask if there are any restrictions on electric bikes on trains, either in general or with specific Train Operating Companies.

YBR

If you put it in the luggage rack it is luggage, but check out your TOC's website to be sure.

Keep_pedalling

Generally it is fine but some operators have additional requirements.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/on-the-train/train-travel-with-bicycles/

carly

Have you checked the dimensions of it when folded?   You'd be lucky to get some bikes in a luggage space if there were already cases there.

Wyndham

I've done this. I've taken my folding bike on trains, buses and even trams!

Some ask that it is covered. My cover allows me to cover the bike completely, but the bottom of the bike is still exposed so the wheels still allow it to roll along. It also has a zip which allows me to pop the saddle up so I can use that as a handle. Also, if it's covered, it's not quite as obviously a bike.

I've been on trains where you don't have to book a bike slot, and depending how busy it is, I've left the bike unfolded and put it in the bike space. A folding bike gives you flexibility to make that decision - one time I started off unfolded, but then as the train got busier I folded mid-journey.

Mine is not electric, and it weighs about 14kg. While this is less than maybe a suitcase, be aware that you will have to lift it onto a train. I assume the motor and battery will increase the weight. Mine is fine, but I wouldn't want to carry it a long distance.

It also spends time in the back of the car. I have a stronger case for that, so if it gets thrown around it's protected. It took me some time to work out that it is easier to put the bike in the case, then put it in the car, rather than the other way around (not quite sure why that took me that long, I think I was trying to reduce the overall weight!)

Folding and unfolding can take a bit of time to get the knack of, but you will get there. One time I was on a train, and saw someone with the same bike as mine on the platform. It was folded, and she unfolded it in almost one fluid movement - I need to learn how to do that!

I love it! I love the flexibility and have had some amazing rides.

SiliconChip

Thanks for all the replies.

@keep_pedalling I checked the link and nobody seems to prohibit it or have too onerous conditions.

@wyndham thanks for the comprehensive and very useful reply, I'll bear your points in mind. The bike I'm considering (ADO Air 20 Pro) is 19kg with the battery in place, so I certainly won't be lifting it into the overhead rack but should be OK for the suitcase rack as long as there's space. I had the folding mechanism demonstrated to me in a bike shop when I had a look at one a few months ago so hopefully I'll pick up the knack of doing it. And since then the price has dropped by £300 and now includes a free storage bag, so that'll pay for quite a few future train trips!

Wyndham

SiliconChip said:

@wyndham thanks for the comprehensive and very useful reply, I'll bear your points in mind. The bike I'm considering (ADO Air 20 Pro) is 19kg with the battery in place, so I certainly won't be lifting it into the overhead rack but should be OK for the suitcase rack as long as there's space. I had the folding mechanism demonstrated to me in a bike shop when I had a look at one a few months ago so hopefully I'll pick up the knack of doing it. And since then the price has dropped by £300 and now includes a free storage bag, so that'll pay for quite a few future train trips!

I've just looked up the ADO Air 20 Pro. Mine is a Brompton. I think (looking on line, it's hard to tell), that mine folds smaller than yours. It looks like you'll end up with more 'sticking out' bits that you'd want to protect so they didn't get knocked about by someone clumsily trying to fit a large suitcase into the small gap next to the bike!

SiliconChip

Wyndham said:

SiliconChip said:

@wyndham thanks for the comprehensive and very useful reply, I'll bear your points in mind. The bike I'm considering (ADO Air 20 Pro) is 19kg with the battery in place, so I certainly won't be lifting it into the overhead rack but should be OK for the suitcase rack as long as there's space. I had the folding mechanism demonstrated to me in a bike shop when I had a look at one a few months ago so hopefully I'll pick up the knack of doing it. And since then the price has dropped by £300 and now includes a free storage bag, so that'll pay for quite a few future train trips!

I've just looked up the ADO Air 20 Pro. Mine is a Brompton. I think (looking on line, it's hard to tell), that mine folds smaller than yours. It looks like you'll end up with more 'sticking out' bits that you'd want to protect so they didn't get knocked about by someone clumsily trying to fit a large suitcase into the small gap next to the bike!

You're probably right, it's got larger wheels than the Brompton so the folded size is almost certainly larger. What I don't know, as I haven't seen it yet, is how much the storage bag encloses and how much is outside. However, given that electric Bromptons seem to be around twice the price I can probably afford a few bits of extra protection!

bouicca21

When a friend took her Brompton on Eurostar, the crucial thing was that any bag had to cover the pedals or they wouldn’t let her’on.