taking a bike on a train?

Early_Lady

I have been commuting 42 miles each way using a deisel fiesta, and its costing me £45.00/week using cheapest available fuel.

so I have been costing out taking the train instead, the journey would be 1 mile by folding bike to mainline station, train, then 3 miles to workplace.

so far I have not found a downside, and at present using season tickets/offers should be able to save about £5/week, at present fuel charges.


my usual travel time is leave home at 05.30am, and would be leaving work any time between 15.30 - 17.00 on a daily basis.(M-F).


but I need to be sure that I wont be stuck on a platform at 17.00 one night, by a train guard telling me that my folding bike cannot be taken on the train, and faced with a long slog home. I have checked as much as I can on the multiple train company websites, and it seems that a folding bike in a bag may be totally acceptable.

does anyone have any experience/tips/ideas that they would like to share?

I do not have any options for changing location/job/retiring/working from home etc.

thanks in advance

Early Lady

BillScarab

If you're familiar with newsgroups uk.rec.cycling would be a good place to ask. I can't see it being an issue, a good folding bike (particularly if it is in a bag) is no bigger than a suitcase and they allow those!

Hintza

Sounds ok but only you will know how busy the trains are and if you can get it onboard without incurring the wrath of the other passengers.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

If its a folding bike, buy a bag for it and hardly anyone will know what you have in there.

Bags are also a good idea because the bike will collect oily muck and people don't want to get that on their clothes.

I take my bike on the train (not rush hour) to go cycling up in't'hills, never had a complaint yet and it doesn't even fold.

kitchpoo

I'm not sure your initial savings are 100%.

Even assuming you are keeping the car for non-work related journeys the actual cost will be greater than the fuel alone as you will approach servicing intervals slower - so your actual saving will be closer to another £5.25 A week assuming £150 per service every 12000 miles. Next x factor is the reduction on depreciation

- a strange case of public transport saving you money!

freddy08

I work for a train company & I can tell you that different train companies have different policies on bikes depending on the accomodation they can provide, but if your bike can fold into a bag then it will not be a problem at all.

Miss_Marple_2

I travel to work by train every day and it is currently saving me about £10 a week, given the cost of diesel and my 100 mile round trip.

I use a fairly busy commuter route in the Midands, and there is always a carriage for bikes, prams & wheelchairs. Bikes (even not folded ones) have never been refused. I know each train company is different (mine is ex-Central Trains), but I don't see that a folding bike would be refused - some people take luggage that is bigger than a folding bike

Does your company take part in the bike scheme ? Folding bikes can be quite expensive, so it would be good to save the tax & spread the cost.

gner_ex

freddy08 wrote: »

I work for a train company & I can tell you that different train companies have different policies on bikes depending on the accomodation they can provide, but if your bike can fold into a bag then it will not be a problem at all.

I thought all TOCs allowed folding bikes at all times?

Another option is two bikes - one that you use from home to your home station, and the other you keep at your terminal station - might sound far-fetched, but this is a popular concept in Cambridge and other places.

laird

Folding bikes (when folded) are normally exempt from any restrictions.
The policy which if worried you can print and carry with you to show to anyone challenging you can be found at:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/cyclists.html

ticketcollector

Be aware that even if it says that folding bikes can be carried at any time. There is always a get out clause something along the lines of "we cannot carry bicycles.... when a member of staff asks you to remove your bicycle"