Liverpool Lime Street Bicycle Facilities

[Sorcerer]

Currently I am in the process of a trainee train driver application at Avanti West Coast for Liverpool depot, and even though there are still plenty of chances to fail I still want to plan for the chances of success, and therefore have given much thought of getting to work on the earliest shifts or getting home from work on the latest ones. My plan for doing so is to use an electric bike that meets the requirements of no more than 250W and propelling assistance up to a maximum of 25km/h (15.5 mph) which should allow me to make a 10km (6-mile) commute in about 20 to 35 minutes according to my calculations (will be doing a real test soon to get more accurate timings).

In this thread here (title "Cycling to work as a train driver") it seems quite a few other drivers or railway workers get to work this way, which has given me a lot more confidence over my choice of travel. However one important point raised was the facilities for a bike, such as parking, or the depot having facilities such as lockers for riding gear, which brings me on to the subject of the thread. Can anyone give me any information about the bicycle facilities for Liverpool Lime Street station and whether or not Avanti's Liverpool depot has any relevant accommodations? I will be visiting the station myself soon to see what the outside parking facilities are like but any other information given to me will be most helpful.

All information given will allow me to plan ahead accordingly. Many thanks in advance!

 

[Techniquest]

No idea on the depot, but there is undercover and pretty decent cycle parking available just past the taxi rank at Lime Street. I've used it myself, and it felt secure.

I would ensure I spent money on a good quality lock, and not just the cheap cable locks you see in many shops. Ideally, I'd say it should have a Gold rating from Sold Secure, my D lock of such a rating a couple of years back was £29.99 so it's not cheap but absolutely recommended. Quite, my cycle insurance policy requires a lock of such a standard to make it valid!

Good luck, first of all, with the application and I hope you get it Also good luck for the rides, will you have a backup option for those days when the route is icy and unsafe for cycling? Hopefully it'll never be an issue, but it's worth thinking about just in case.

6 miles in 35 minutes on an e-bike, for most people, would not be too challenging, I suspect you'll easily do it in much less time than that Depending on the route taken and so on, of course.

Finally for now, I strongly recommend getting some good quality cycling gear, but on a tight budget then as long as it keeps you warm in winter then that's a good start. Might I recommend the Muddyfox cycling tights from Sports Direct? £18 but they are good for keeping warm and have a thin layer of padding in the necessary area, so they're good for short rides. Gloves, I have to say the cycling gloves Asda sell for £7 (might be £8 now) are rather good, for the money they did me proud until they wore out.

 

[Sorcerer]

No idea on the depot, but there is undercover and pretty decent cycle parking available just past the taxi rank at Lime Street. I've used it myself, and it felt secure.

I would ensure I spent money on a good quality lock, and not just the cheap cable locks you see in many shops. Ideally, I'd say it should have a Gold rating from Sold Secure, my D lock of such a rating a couple of years back was £29.99 so it's not cheap but absolutely recommended. Quite, my cycle insurance policy requires a lock of such a standard to make it valid!

That's very helpful information! Knowing that you've used the cycle parking before is reassuring as well. As for locks, I'll not be sparing any expenses on that one. After all what would a £50 and insurance be compared to needing to replace a stolen bicycle.

Good luck, first of all, with the application and I hope you get it Also good luck for the rides, will you have a backup option for those days when the route is icy and unsafe for cycling? Hopefully it'll never be an issue, but it's worth thinking about just in case.

It is worth considering, and my thoughts initially turn to potentially booking taxis in advance. I know a cab driver personally so in any emergency situation I might be able to pay them for it. Otherwise I will most definitely give it more thoughts just because of it being a very real possibility, and consistently relying on others isn't really ideal in any situation.

6 miles in 35 minutes on an e-bike, for most people, would not be too challenging, I suspect you'll easily do it in much less time than that Depending on the route taken and so on, of course.

I'll find out sooner or later when I try going for an actual trial on a few routes selected to see which one is the most efficient for cycling.

Finally for now, I strongly recommend getting some good quality cycling gear, but on a tight budget then as long as it keeps you warm in winter then that's a good start. Might I recommend the Muddyfox cycling tights from Sports Direct? £18 but they are good for keeping warm and have a thin layer of padding in the necessary area, so they're good for short rides. Gloves, I have to say the cycling gloves Asda sell for £7 (might be £8 now) are rather good, for the money they did me proud until they wore out.

I shall definitely bear these recommendations in mind. Thank you very much!

 

[Techniquest]

Quite right with the lock, worth every penny as far as I'm concerned. Insurance wise, if you aren't already sorted may I suggest ETA cycle insurance? They're not terribly expensive, and while I've never needed to claim for theft or whatever, I can say that they seem to be pretty decent. I have breakdown cover included, and while I can't say that was the best ever service (long story!) it got me out of a very frustrating situation.

With regards to your route, I doubt I need to suggest it but try to make sure you have known diversion routes if your usual choice is blocked for whatever reason. It pays to know at least one alternative route to your destination, I found this out recently on a local ride when a road I'd planned to use had a queue of traffic on it because of roadworks. Because I know my city pretty well, I had a number of alternatives available so turned around and went a different way.

 

[Sorcerer]

Quite right with the lock, worth every penny as far as I'm concerned. Insurance wise, if you aren't already sorted may I suggest ETA cycle insurance? They're not terribly expensive, and while I've never needed to claim for theft or whatever, I can say that they seem to be pretty decent. I have breakdown cover included, and while I can't say that was the best ever service (long story!) it got me out of a very frustrating situation.

I will bare that in mind, thank you!

With regards to your route, I doubt I need to suggest it but try to make sure you have known diversion routes if your usual choice is blocked for whatever reason. It pays to know at least one alternative route to your destination, I found this out recently on a local ride when a road I'd planned to use had a queue of traffic on it because of roadworks. Because I know my city pretty well, I had a number of alternatives available so turned around and went a different way.

I know of two routes thus far, one of which is a bus route that I know very well. I think planning diversions should be relatively easy. My biggest worry though is arriving at the station to find that all the bike racks are taken.

 

[SWR_DRIVER]

6 miles in 35 minutes in very doable, and being an e-bike, you might be able to get away with not sweating too much, and therefore being able to get away with wearing your uniform to and from work.

I definitely echo the above comment about investing in a good lock! You may find that you are able to leave the lock in the bike parking area so you don't add weight when cycling to and from work.

I'd also recommend fitting full coverage mudguards if your bike doesn't have them already (keeps your clothes nice and clean when the roads are damp), and I'd highly recommend investing in a pannier rack and bags which means no more sweaty back from wearing a rucksack when cycling!

I'm a train driver who also cycles to work, albeit only 3 miles each way. But adding any sort of movement to your work day when we spend the majority of it sitting down is only going to benefit our health and waistlines.

 

[Techniquest]

Yes I have to agree on mudguards, if your machine does not already come with them. A pannier rack and bag will be incredibly useful too, no question of it. My double pannier (that is, a bag each side) came from Wilko and it has lasted really well. There is a lot of choice out there with pannier bags, so shop around and see what takes your fancy.

On a related note, it's usually advised on signs or whatever at major stations not to leave pannier bags attached to your bike when leaving it in the storage area, as they get removed by security/BTP. For a short stop, you'll probably be fine, but I absolutely won't leave it for long. Same with my lock, I would rather take mine with me!

 

[david1212]

6 miles in 35 minutes in very doable, and being an e-bike, you might be able to get away with not sweating too much, and therefore being able to get away with wearing your uniform to and from work.

I definitely echo the above comment about investing in a good lock! You may find that you are able to leave the lock in the bike parking area so you don't add weight when cycling to and from work.

I'd also recommend fitting full coverage mudguards if your bike doesn't have them already (keeps your clothes nice and clean when the roads are damp), and I'd highly recommend investing in a pannier rack and bags which means no more sweaty back from wearing a rucksack when cycling!

I'm a train driver who also cycles to work, albeit only 3 miles each way. But adding any sort of movement to your work day when we spend the majority of it sitting down is only going to benefit our health and waistlines.

.... but not without over-trousers and a decent coat / cape when raining, damp or even with mudguards wet roads due to the spray from traffic never mind puddles, pot holes, slightly sunken grids.

Filled / solid tyres might be a good investment.

When parked & locked you need to think about theft of the battery. Unless very secure in the frame so not quick to remove even with the right key / tool take it with you but then something else to either carry all day or keep secure.

 

[Sorcerer]

So far the recommendations for using a bike for work have been very helpful, but I feel like it's important to get onto the main topic of the thread which is whether or not anyone is aware of the bike facilities at the aforementioned station/depot. I understand that Liverpool Lime Street has two bike parking spaces which with proper gear can be a relatively secure place to park one, but with regards to things such as lockers or community storage areas does anyone know any information that might be helpful? Even if not for Liverpool Lime Street specifically what do rail workers who use a bike for work usually do when parking? Do you park it in the bike parking areas or are there facilities are your place of work for storage? What about in regards to things such as helmets or protective raingear? Do you have an extra bag with you or is there a place to store that as well?

 

[Techniquest]

I would be disgraced if a big company could not provide a locker. Possible you may have to pay a security deposit on a key, and based on the lockers at my workplace, they may not be terribly big but I can certainly fit a helmet and a pair of shoes in mine with some room to spare. The average-size backpack should fit in comfortably.

If the depot doesn't have parking facilities for bikes, even if it's just some of those upside-down U metal racks you see at many stations, then I'd be surprised.

Unfortunately I'm not on the railway so I can't say for sure on any of it. Even my workplace has bike parking for colleagues and other places for customers, so a company like a TOC really should be able to manage that! Perhaps it's worth getting in touch with them and asking with an email?

 

[Sorcerer]

I would be disgraced if a big company could not provide a locker. Possible you may have to pay a security deposit on a key, and based on the lockers at my workplace, they may not be terribly big but I can certainly fit a helmet and a pair of shoes in mine with some room to spare. The average-size backpack should fit in comfortably.

I think I only need a normal sized backpack for a protective rain suit and helmet and maybe a place to store the battery.

If the depot doesn't have parking facilities for bikes, even if it's just some of those upside-down U metal racks you see at many stations, then I'd be surprised.

I know Lime Street at least has regular parking facilities for bikes, and if necessary I'll take a gear bag with me alongside the work bag if I'm successful.

Unfortunately I'm not on the railway so I can't say for sure on any of it. Even my workplace has bike parking for colleagues and other places for customers, so a company like a TOC really should be able to manage that! Perhaps it's worth getting in touch with them and asking with an email?

I might just do that depending on how my application goes. If I make it past the in-person assessments I might get in touch at the latest, maybe even earlier.

 

[Techniquest]

Good call that, if you make the next stage then that's a good time to ask I think. Maybe do a 'dry run' ride anyway, see how you get on

 

[Sorcerer]

Good call that, if you make the next stage then that's a good time to ask I think. Maybe do a 'dry run' ride anyway, see how you get on

Will do. Should hopefully get the chance sooner rather than later!