9 February 2007
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Make the provision for Bicycles on Trains Free and Compulsory by all train operators."
Read the Government’s response
The responsibility for the carriage of bikes on trains rests with individual train operators as is the decision to charge for the carriage of bikes. The Department for Transport has long recognised the value of bike and rail journeys and we will continue to encourage all Train Operating Companies (TOCs) to provide facilities which will help facilitate more bike and rail journeys.
We will also continue to encourage TOCs to carry bikes on trains whenever possible in line with the Cycling Policy document first published by the former Strategic Rail Authority in 2004 and recently adopted by this Department. The policy advises TOCs to facilitate the carriage of cycles on off-peak services and promote the carriage of folding cycles at all times. However, during the peak where capacity is under pressure, there may be circumstances in which it is in the interests of the majority of passengers not to permit non-folding cycles on board.
The franchise replacement process also provides an opportunity to improve cycle facilities at stations, and to address the requirements of cyclists who wish to use trains. Bidders for the South Western franchise were asked to consider cycle-rail integration matters in their bid submissions. The three current franchises that are out to tender, i.e. East Midlands, West Midlands and New Cross Country, have a similar requirement. The InterCity East Coast franchise replacement specification will also require bidders to consider bike-rail integration and facilities at stations.
Whilst there will always be situations where bikes cannot be accommodated during peak travel, we believe that the TOCs now have a better understanding of the benefits of providing for cyclists which we will continue to promote.
We have asked Cycling England, our advisory group on cycling, to look into how we might better encourage bike and rail journeys. They have accepted this remit and are now looking to see where progress can best be made to further improve bike and rail integration.