Bike on London trains

[mathmo]

I need to go from Cambridge to Reading on Sunday 12 July with a bike and then back to London on the Monday morning (though after peak hours, and without the bike). I think the cheapest option is to buy a single (or an NXEA day return) for Cambridge-London and then an Off-Peak Return London-Reading.

My question: does anyone have experience of taking a bike into/out of London with any of the TOCs concerned? This is FCC or NXEA for the Cambridge leg and FGW for the Reading train. Reading the websites, I don't think I need to make a reservation, but would anyone advise it?

 

[jon0844]

FCC doesn't need reservations, so you'll be okay. I doubt NXEA does either.

You may struggle if/when there's another tube strike though. So many people brought bikes, there was one in nearly every doorway and in the aisles. I guess FCC waved their restrictions that week!

 

[generalvegitable]

NXEA doesn't require reservations unless you travel on their intercity services (the 90 + mk2 or 3 + DVT), london underground cannot carry bicicles on the deep level lines, and FGW don't require a reservation but reccomend that you reserve a space just incase the train is full

 

[jopsuk]

NXEA are very relaxed about bikes on the Cambridge-London route- they don't even (thankfully) enforce their supposed peak time restrictions, and on my regular journey home there are, by Cambridge, often two bikes in every vestibule of a four car unit. No issues. Did once have a guy have a go at me about how they were a "safety hazard". There was an RPI standing behind him. After the bloke got off, the RPI said he had no problem with the bikes on trains.

 

[Daniel]

I live alone the NXEA Cambridge-London line. As people have already said, you won't really have any problems on our side, providing you don't just leave your bike blocking doorways etc, (it has been known at Tottenham Hale on a peak service for a commuter to throw a bike onto the platform as it was blocking the doors, the owner didn't know till he got to Broxbourne). If there is a lack of space, try the corridor behind the drivers cab in the middle of two coupled trains. If it's that packed and it's a 4 car train, try asking the driver if you can put your bike in the corridor behind his cab.

London Underground Liverpool Street to Paddington, you can take your bike on those lines (Circle, Ham & City), providing it is not during the morning or evening.

 

[jon0844]

Did once have a guy have a go at me about how they were a "safety hazard". There was an RPI standing behind him. After the bloke got off, the RPI said he had no problem with the bikes on trains.

I do think that they pose a safety hazard, but I can't imagine an RPI being bothered either way!

If bikes are blocking all the exits, it can't be anything but a safety hazard - which is why TOCs should be forced to have areas for bikes (albeit with fold-down seating for when there are no bikes there).

 

[jopsuk]

If you were to put in enough bike racks for the numbers on trains in the peak at Cambridge, I think you'd be looking at converting half a carriage or more!

cerrtainly be a better idea than the laughable "Frist Class" sections on the West Anglia. On some of the units, especially if the train is quiet, all your extra momey gets you is an arm rest. No extra legroom, no table, and certainly no catering.

 

[jon0844]

I agree that you can't allow unlimited bikes, but blocking the doorways is dangerous - whether an RPI thinks so or not. Perhaps more people should be encouraged (or forced?) to use folders? You can get some pretty decent ones now, and I am seriously considering it myself. They are fairly expensive though, but many of the bikes you see on the trains aren't exactly £99 jobs from Tesco. Or, the TOC makes you reserve a place on the train - but that's hard on DOO!

First Class on a 317 is indeed a waste of time. Presumably what you're paying for (certainly in the peak hours) is the chance of a seat.. but when standard class people choose to sit there anyway, that idea goes out of the window. The single seats have the benefit of a pull down table, which is actually quite useful for me if I want to use my netbook (and I only use FC when it's on a declassified service, of which there are quite a few).

As for catering, well I am surprised FCC and NXEA (or others) don't consider allowing a private firm to offer such a service, for a miniscule fee (they would make profit on what they sell), as it would be a selling point for the TOC and it would - sort of - give a staff presence on the train which people would appreciate from a safety point of view.

And, those trolleys would also be able to get the bikes moved that block the aisles! Win win!

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I must say that I've never had any trouble taking my bike between London stations (though my cross-London travels with bike are only occasional) but I've never tried taking it on the underground nor in sub-surface mainline stations - its generally quicker and more enjoyable using the bike! Even Kings Cross - London Bridge.
I also avoid the rush periods

 

[mathmo]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm intending to cycle round London (it's a Sunday so shouldn't be too bad.) Does anyone have any experience using FGW HSTs with a bike?

 

[stut]

If you're on an FCC 365, there's also a couple of fold-down seats next to the disabled toilet, which can be handy for a couple of bikes. Some have additional tip-up seats further down, too. Not so much of a problem for the non-stop Cambridge services, but if you find yourself on a semi-fast, it's a lot easier than constantly swapping the side of the vestibule you keep the bike in!

FGW don't need reservations on the HSTs any more, unless it's during peak times. Each train takes 6, so make your own judgement call on whether you need to pre-book or not (it's free anyway). If it's a packed holiday season train to Penzance, then yes: if it's a half-empty mid-day stopper to Worcester, probably less so.

For getting across London, there's a cross-city cycle route that gives a pleasant journey from KX to Paddington - from KX, go up Judd St, then along Leigh St and Cartwright Gdns to Tavistock Place (there's no right turn off Judd St). This is then a signposted route (some off-road, some on) which will take you along New Cavendish St. Do a right/left on Marylebone High St, and follow George St along. You'll eventually come to Sussex Placee, which will take you right up to Paddington. Infinitely more pleasant than trying to attempt Euston Road (AVOID!)

From Liverpool St, you can do the same route, by going through Smithfields, then up along Phoenix Place and joining the route at Ampton St.

Have fun!