Bikes on trains - do I have priority over somebody sat in the bike storage area?

[jednick]

This happens frequently...

I arrive on the train, at the the only designated space on that train where I can store my bike.

There are fold-down seats in the bike area, and somebody is sat there, so I am unable to put my bike there.

There are other places that person can sit, the train is not full. But it is the only place I can put my bike.

Am I best to put my bike in the vestibule, where it isn't supposed to be, or do I ask the person to move? (I'm assuming the guard isn't available to sort the problem out).

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I suppose it depends on a number of factors:

How long is your journey?

Do your journey require bike reservations?

How observant is the person sitting on the tip-up seats - guess you could be a bit subtle and ask them to move?

Does the train have a guard - guess you could approach him/her?

I often see bikes in vestibules; usually on the opposite side to the platform

 

[D6130]

You just point out that they are sitting in the bike storage area and politely ask them to move.

If you get a negative or downright rude reaction, you then go and see the conductor or guard.

What you do on DOO trains is more problematic though.

 

[Falcon1200]

I have seen this, many a time, most recently when a passenger got on immediately before me, and my bike, and straightaway sat in the cycle area - on a quiet train. She did however relocate when asked. Asking someone to move depends, for me, depends on how busy the train is, how far I am going, and definitely the look of the person sat in the bike area!

 

[matt_world2004]

Wouldn't it depend on the signage in the bike storage area as well , if it says cycles have priority then the person should move , if there is no priority or the priority is for something else (Eg wheelchairs/pushchairs) then the person has no obligation to.move.

 

[jednick]

It's usually on a 45 to 60 minute journey.

Not on trains that require a reservation.

Usually TFW and WMR trains.

There is always a bike symbol above the bike area, but it isn't actually stated that I have priority.

I understand if the train is packed then that person has nowhere else to sit. But I refer to the situation where there are always available seats, if that person were to move.

 

[LowLevel]

Ask the person to move. The flip up seats are to be used when the bike space is not required.

 

[jednick]

Ask the person to move. The flip up seats are to be used when the bike space is not required.

If they say no, what happens then?

 

[dk1]

Flip seats in cycle areas are more trouble than they are worth.

 

[swt_passenger]

If they say no, what happens then?

You could always ask for the fare you paid for the bike to be refunded.

 

[DelW]

I'd ask them politely if they wouldn't mind moving to another seat, so that you can secure your bike safely in the designated cycle space.

If they say no, what happens then?

I'd sit next to them on an adjacent tip-up seat with your bike in front of your (and their) knees. Of course it might wobble into their knees, because they've prevented you securing it safely in the designated cycle space ...

 

[Failed Unit]

Flip seats in cycle areas are more trouble than they are worth.

I would agree and add that to wheelchair spaces as well, where frequently I have to sit my wife in the doors. (Buggy’s are the other ones that refuse to move If a wheel chair gets on - as the child is asleep and they don‘t want to disturb them)

 

[dk1]

I would agree and add that to wheelchair spaces as well, where frequently I have to sit my wife in the doors. (Buggy’s are the other ones that refuse to move If a wheel chair gets on - as the child is asleep and they don‘t want to disturb them)

Absolutely. GA have recently added LARGE stickers in this area to remind those self absorbed able body folk that they need to vacate should a person in a wheelchair board. So very sad that anybody would need reminding.

 

[Deepgreen]

The question here is, I suppose, are there any bike storage areas on trains with tip-up seats that do make it crystal clear who has priority? I can't recall, and the number of times I now take my bike by train has dwindled in direct proportion to the increasing difficulty of doing so.

 

[Geochemwill]

I was on the receiving end of Piccadilly Platform 14 platform dispatchers a few weeks ago when attempting to board a Northern service to Lea Green with my bike and one other cyclist and there was someone sat in in the bike area who took some convincing to move. There were lots of other seats available and this caused a queue back to the platform. It’s not as if the flip down seats are particularly comfortable and I’m not sure what value they bring!

 

[jednick]

If I speak to the guard, would he/she always back me up and side with me (if there were plenty of available seats for other people to sit in)?

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

On services to Manchester Airport passengers find the bike area handy to park their (voluminous) luggage - it is a real nuisance sometimes on a crowded service.

 

[bramling]

If I speak to the guard, would he/she always back me up and side with me (if there were plenty of available seats for other people to sit in)?

They certainly should. Some would likely be content for the bike to be stored in a doorway providing it wasn't causing excessive hassle (i.e. on the opposite side to the platforms).

On a DOO train then it's essentially anything goes, unfortunately.

 

[Malaxa]

Just stick it in the doorway/vestibule. It can be a drag if the platform side keeps alternating. Shouldn't be a problem. If the guard. if there is one, isn't happy with that, hopefully he/she will be the one to ask the lazy passengers to move for your bike.

 

[Failed Unit]

The question here is, I suppose, are there any bike storage areas on trains with tip-up seats that do make it crystal clear who has priority? I can't recall, and the number of times I now take my bike by train has dwindled in direct proportion to the increasing difficulty of doing so.

I can’t think of any, the Scotrail 170s have bike hoops, but no tip up seats. The 156s used to also be good in that respect. But you didnt get people blocking access but baggage. The only way I can see it is having a lockable cupboard (LNER style) - but clearly on DOO routes that is not possible. Even on local routes it can’t really be guards priority to open it when they have to dispatch the train.

 

[Nottingham59]

If they say no, what happens then?

If that happens, come back on here and ask again.

In my experience, people are generally happy to oblige if you're nice to them.

(Like offering to put their rucksack up in the rack for them, when they've been nice enough to keep a seat free for you by putting their bag on it)

 

[Towers]

I can’t think of any, the Scotrail 170s have bike hoops, but no tip up seats. The 156s used to also be good in that respect. But you didnt get people blocking access but baggage. The only way I can see it is having a lockable cupboard (LNER style) - but clearly on DOO routes that is not possible. Even on local routes it can’t really be guards priority to open it when they have to dispatch the train.

If you’re talking about the cupboards at the coach ends, they are hopeless for a variety of reasons!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Best arrangement I ever saw was what First North Western did, which was no tip-ups and a shelf for luggage above the bike space. Only downside of that was the space not being usable as standing space on busier trains.

 

[Towers]

Best arrangement I ever saw was what First North Western did, which was no tip-ups and a shelf for luggage above the bike space. Only downside of that was the space not being usable as standing space on busier trains.

Yup, ironically 153s were pretty good I recall, for the same reason!

 

[Doctor Fegg]

Best arrangement I ever saw was what First North Western did, which was no tip-ups and a shelf for luggage above the bike space. Only downside of that was the space not being usable as standing space on busier trains.

GWR’s refitted Turbos have that. Unfortunately the shelf is a bit too low for many bikes.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

The question here is, I suppose, are there any bike storage areas on trains with tip-up seats that do make it crystal clear who has priority? I can't recall, and the number of times I now take my bike by train has dwindled in direct proportion to the increasing difficulty of doing so.

ScotRail Inter7City sets seem to

Attached pictures are of a ScotRail Inter7City bike area with 6 fold-down seats, with a close-up of a sticker saying "Cycle Storage Area" in big letters and "Priority must be given to cycle storage in this area at all times"

 

[Doctor Fegg]

I’ve just come off a GWR IET which had a woman and her dog sleeping in the bike compartment. Not sure I’d have been too popular trying to load a bike in their place…

 

[Failed Unit]

Yup, ironically 153s were pretty good I recall, for the same reason!

Problem if you had a bike, one some journeys (such as Newark Northgate - Lincoln Central) - the area was full of suitcases before the bikes could get on.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Problem if you had a bike, one some journeys (such as Newark Northgate - Lincoln Central) - the area was full of suitcases before the bikes could get on.

Though mostly you could just move them onto the top shelf. It's also not a problem that's any different on other types of bike space.

 

[Failed Unit]

Though mostly you could just move them onto the top shelf. It's also not a problem that's any different on other types of bike space.

No it isn't, but I am glad the 153s are gone as at least most of the trains that replace them you can lean your bike against the doors. Not really desirable but a good sensible compromise. Comparing like for like in the case of EMR. The 170s don't tend to have baggage in the bike sapce compared to the 156s. Maybe the end doors promoted - dump bag on the way down the coach. But I do think the 153 / 156 had the right idea. I understand the LNER azuma's are only really any good for "road bikes" or should that be drop handle bars.

I do find actually the DOO areas are the worse for people sitting in the tip down seats. Which on a class 700 operated train off peak train is amazing, considering the amount of seats available. The fold up push chairs rather than passengers sitting on the tip down the main offenders. I suspect on an airport run, they are also full of suitcases.