Bikes on trains?

Stereophonic

What's your view on bikes not being allowed on trains? (Some trains)

I know its ridiculous to attempt to bring a bike on the Dart.... I asked at Dublin Connolly station if I could bring my Mountain Bike or my road bike on the Connolly to Wexford train line. They said no! I think it's a terrible idea not allowing people with bikes on trains. Wicklow is one of the most nicest counties to cycle in but it's awkward to get to if you don't have a car...

Wasn't the Connolly > Wexford line served by the Intercity trains about 3-4 years ago? Now there serve it with those Commuter trains which have no space for bikes!

I find it very annoying and would love to see this rule lifted for this route particularly.

Ghost Rider

It's outrageous that they don't allow bikes on Dublin's suburban train services, never mind the Dublin to Wexford service. I sincerely hope the Greens kick some Iarnrod Eireann ass on that score if/when they get into government. (That's if they haven't already sold their souls to the Soldiers of Destiny.)

With all the noise Dublin's various local councils make about encouraging cycling, it's utterly hypocritical that you can't take your bike on a train.

Stereophonic wrote:

What's your view on bikes not being allowed on trains? (Some trains)

I know its ridiculous to attempt to bring a bike on the Dart.... I asked at Dublin Connolly station if I could bring my Mountain Bike or my road bike on the Connolly to Wexford train line. They said no! I think it's a terrible idea not allowing people with bikes on trains. Wicklow is one of the most nicest counties to cycle in but it's awkward to get to if you don't have a car...

Wasn't the Connolly > Wexford line served by the Intercity trains about 3-4 years ago? Now there serve it with those Commuter trains which have no space for bikes!

I find it very annoying and would love to see this rule lifted for this route particularly.

Stereophonic

I emailed The Greens a couple of times regarding this issue and got no reply from them. Hopefully when the cabinet go back to work on Friday will respond to my email(s)

Yeah, Bikes on all trains would be a far greater idea. I hope the Greens go into goverment with Fianna Fáil....

Civilian_Target

Have you considered taking it on without asking?

Not that I would condone you do that sort of thing...

Stereophonic

It's extremely hard to do so at Connolly. Was possible before renovation's took place. They would also fine you for breaching their safety rules and regulations.

blorg

As you say, it's because Wexford is now a "commuter" line and the trains don't have a guard's van. In other countries (such as Germany) bikes are allowed off peak on commuter lines in particular carriages. Then again all is not necessarily rosy on the continent- try getting a bike from Madrid to Santiago and you may be happy with what we have here on the (non-commuter) long-distance lines.

wahlrab

well over in hungary and the other ex soviet bloc countries pretty much all trains allow bicycles onboard and on BUdapests equivalent of the dart too, it's fantastic and it only costs a euro to bring a bike, and when there is no bike carriage you can just bribe the inspectors to let them put it in the corridor, that's what a friend of mine was forced to do the other week, good old eastern europe

Ghost Rider

The fact that the guard's van has traditionally been the place for bikes on inter-city trains only proves how low on the priority list the carrying of bikes has always been (even though they'll charge you €8 for it these days).

blorg wrote:

As you say, it's because Wexford is now a "commuter" line and the trains don't have a guard's van. In other countries (such as Germany) bikes are allowed off peak on commuter lines in particular carriages. Then again all is not necessarily rosy on the continent- try getting a bike from Madrid to Santiago and you may be happy with what we have here on the (non-commuter) long-distance lines.

Civilian_Target

Interesting, on NI railways, all the trains are commuter trains and carraige of up to 4 bikes per 3 cars is permitted, unless space needs to be made for wheelchairs. Good system.

r3nu4l

I was going to recommend a folding bike as used by lots of London commuters but I see you're talking about serious cycling rather than A to B commuting.

The problem is always going to come down to passenger space to be honest. If a train is packed with commuters then room for bikes isn't a high priority for these people. I'm not sure why they won't allow bikes at weekends or even during off-peak hours on weekdays though.

Woden

Faced this issue a little when coming back from a trip from france last year we had cycled to rosslare but on the way back we where getting the train. We couldn't just buy the tickets as the chap had to check whether we would be allowed bring them as it was at the discretion of somebody.

Train was a commuter with no guard van. We where allowed to bring them on put the two bikes in a wheelchair area (lots of space no ones way). The guy who I presume ok'ed it got on the train had a go at us threatened to not let us take the journey dispite us pointing out we had ok'ed it and bought tickets. Had us move them down to another carriage and put them in the exact same space. Presumably his logic was that a wheelchair user would get on the middle of the train

Not been on the bike in a while but this topic caught my eye

Stereophonic

Yeh I wouldn't be caught dead on a Folding Bike, no offense! Hopefully the Irish Government do more to tackle this problem

r3nu4l

Stereophonic wrote:

Yeh I wouldn't be caught dead on a Folding Bike, no offense! Hopefully the Irish Government do more to tackle this problem

Oh yeah they look stupid but believe me if you had a long train commute to London every day and then the choice of a 30 minute walk or 10 mins on stupid looking bike every day, you'd choose the stupid looking bike every time, especially in a city as anonymous in London

jrey1981

You used to be able to take them on the old trains. There is supposed to be new long-distance type trains on the rosslare line soon, so perhaps that will improve things.

I think you'd have better luck on Bus Eireann. Two people took bikes on the bus I get into Dublin the other day, so I presume it's ok on other routes as well.

mcgratheoin

it would really encourage people to cycle more I reckon. If a cycle path was completed the length of the DART line (as has been mooted several times) and people were allowed take bikes on the DART (even if only off-peak), then there are a lot of people who would perhaps get the DART into work and cycle home - especially in the summer months.

On the subject of other countries - in Oslo you can bring bikes on the underground free of charge. Downhill MTB riders use the train regularly - one of the lines snakes up a hill and they buy a daypass and use it to get back up after a run down.

Cabaal

mcgratheoin wrote:

iOn the subject of other countries - in Oslo you can bring bikes on the underground free of charge. Downhill MTB riders use the train regularly - one of the lines snakes up a hill and they buy a daypass and use it to get back up after a run down.

Pretty good way of using the system

daymobrew

The San Francisco/San Jose service (Caltrain) have space for 16 or 32 bikes. It was introduced when I lived there (~2000) and was often over-subscribed (cyclists would simply have to wait for the next train!)

Caltrain Bike FAQ wrote:

The Baby Bullet expresses have proven so successful that some trains have been running out of spaces for bikes, and at times nearing capacity for passengers.

Their meaning of "nearing capacity for passengers" means that one or two people don't get a seat. They don't know what over-crowding means.

Bikes were rested on each other. People would put a tag on their bike to say where they were getting off. It is a great service.

Caltrain also has individual bike lockers at some stations. They are only $66 a year!! As they are individual, they are quite secure, though they do take up a decent bit of space.

Chips Lovell

I'd love to see them strip the seats from one carriage on every DART and commuter traien and allow people to pull their bikes on.

daymobrew

Some photos of the Caltrain setup:
Quiet bike (train)car
Full bike car
Bike lockers (sideways view; they look like double stacks).

davidj

Its not that far to cycle to wicklow and have a good long spin while there even if you do happen to live out as far as Malahide ect,its just going to be a day long trip.Last summer when I was heading back from a spin to Arklow I got a flat just outside greystones so I just walked my bike on to the dart with out even paying a cent,pretty easy to get away with on the weekend most of the time I'd say.

blorg

davidj wrote:

Its not that far to cycle to wicklow and have a good long spin while there even if you do happen to live out as far as Malahide...

Er, yes it is - over 50k Malahide-Greystones (following the coastal route, but you don't save that much even if you diverge and go a less pleasant way.) A 100k round trip just to get to the start point for a spin is not trivial!

mcgratheoin

Cabaal wrote:

Pretty good way of using the system

Even better in the winter when you can rent a toboggan at the top for the day! Oslo is definitely worth a weekend trip in the winter - snow on the toboggan track from about mid-December to mid-March.

See here

Titiritero

blorg wrote:

Then again all is not necessarily rosy on the continent- try getting a bike from Madrid to Santiago and you may be happy with what we have here on the (non-commuter) long-distance lines.

Maybe you tried one of the fast trains. If you use a "Regional" train (less comfortable and slower, but cheaper), bikes are in for free and without hassle. In here, excluding the "Enterprise", all trains are third class, tickets cost a fortune even though you don´t secure a seat, and still have to pay to throw the bike into some dirty and smelly corner...

o1s1n

Hey, if women are allowed on without folding up their buggies...


This really annoys me too. I've started cycling a lot lately and would love to take my bike into town on the train to cycle to college.

But alas, it would appear that ain't gonna happen any time soon.

blorg

Titiritero wrote:

Maybe you tried one of the fast trains. If you use a "Regional" train (less comfortable and slower, but cheaper), bikes are in for free and without hassle. In here, excluding the "Enterprise", all trains are third class, tickets cost a fortune even though you don´t secure a seat, and still have to pay to throw the bike into some dirty and smelly corner...

I'm aware of the Regional trains all right, but they only go within the communities (relatively short distances) AFAIK? Not to Santiago, anyway. The only option for a bike on the cross-country routes is to take it on a night train and put it under your bunk in a six-person berth. Only catch: it won't fit, everyone knows this, and it causes untold stress for the guard on the train who swears at you and threatens to throw you off before finally backing down and putting all the bikes into his sleeping compartment. On the train from Irun there were four other cyclists, the poor guy had to stack six bikes in his sleeping compartment and I don't think this left much room for him.

Next time I bring my bike to Spain, I would definately plan around only using the regionals though, certainly, and do it in stages or something.

daymobrew

blorg wrote:

A 100k round trip just to get to the start point for a spin is not trivial!

Agreed.
It takes me the guts of an hour to cycle from Carpenterstown to the first hill south of Tallaght.
If I cycle west (direction of Clonsilla, Leixlip) I'm on quiet roads within minutes.
From Malahide one could cycle north or west. It won't be hilly but it will be nice.

Of course, it would be nice to be able to bring the bike on the train.

cormie

If you just got a massive bag, took your wheels off and put the frame and wheels in the bag, they can they stop you for bringing a big bag onto the train? Just a jumbo black sack even, tie it to a rail for when you need it on the way back and away you go:) ?

Ghost Rider

There's a good comedy sketch idea there...

cormie wrote:

If you just got a massive bag, took your wheels off and put the frame and wheels in the bag, they can they stop you for bringing a big bag onto the train? Just a jumbo black sack even, tie it to a rail for when you need it on the way back and away you go:) ?

mcgratheoin

cormie wrote:

If you just got a massive bag, took your wheels off and put the frame and wheels in the bag, they can they stop you for bringing a big bag onto the train? Just a jumbo black sack even, tie it to a rail for when you need it on the way back and away you go:) ?

That might be the way to go methinks. They wouldn't stop you if you were just carrying a frame or if you were carrying two wheels, so maybe if you had them all in a nice sized bag.

hunnymonster

o1s1n wrote:

Hey, if women are allowed on without folding up their buggies...

Why, do men always fold their buggies?



I've taken my bike on the enterprise a couple of times. I had to buy a ticket and it was expensive enough but cycle Dublin to Belfast, have lunch with friends and train it back is a nice day out. My only objection is that they insisted on putting the bike on the train themselves. They will not let you lock it and the carraige it's in is open. My bike cost a couple of grand, it could so easily have gone mising.


I was planning to take my bike down to Cork on the train this weekend. I guess I'll have to look into it a bit closer now. I didn't realise it wasn't possible to take bikes on all trains.

blorg

It's very easy to take the bike to Cork, I do it regularly. Goes in the guard's van, you put it on yourself. I bring cable ties and hang it from the hooks on the wall- brake lever (drop bars) over the front hook (with padding underneath, t-shirt or whatever) and back wheel cable-tied to the back hook. Front wheel I take off and cable tie to the middle hook but you may not need to do this depending on the size of your bike, mine (58cm) is just a very little too big to fit in the space. This arrangement eliminates the possibility of it falling over and so far so good with no damage. Remember to bring a small scissors to retrieve the bike of course.

Cost is a bit steep, €8 each way, but I believe this is the same for any distance so you are getting your value with Cork.

hunnymonster

Thanks Borg, saved me a bit of time doing that research. My bike is only a 52 cm so might fit but I'll bring a little tool kit just in case I need to play about. Now I don't suppose you want to suggest a hilly route of about 100 miles for saturday morning?

Stereophonic

hunnymonster wrote:

I didn't realise it wasn't possible to take bikes on all trains.

It's not possible to bring them on commuter or Dart trains.. Intercity Trains its possible

Get the Intercity back on the Wexford line

wahlrab

surely if you say take off the front wheel you could get it onto the dart, I suppose this only applies to the quick release wheels out there. anyone tried to do this?

hunnymonster

or to take that arguement further. If I put it in a bike box. Is it still a bike (needing a ticket) or a large suitcase (no ticket)? Still 16 eurp return is a fair price and I'm happy to pay it if bike is carried safely.

loyatemu

there are new intercity trains being introduced on the wexford and sligo lines later this year, so its only a temporary problem. (though I did hear somewhere that there would only be 1 bike space per train which is a bit poor).

I occasionally see bikes on the dart and commuter trains but I presume these have been snuck on or the driver is turning a blind eye because its quiet. Don't see why they shouldn't be allowed off-peak, but Irish Rail aren't really interested in catering to their customers.

Stereophonic

Well said... Good news on the new trains for the Wexford line along with the Sligo one.

1 bike per train is unacceptable. Irish Rail should get up of their arses and think about what they should do to make passengers happier...

Thers a fair few who would like bikes to be allowed on all trains but not at peak hours..

They should allow bikes on trains from 10.30am - 15.00pm and not allow them back on trains until peak time is over after 7.30pm

Mucco

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=12069&in_page_id=2

Bikes banned but bulk not
Thursday, April 20, 2006

A commuter is getting round a train company's rules by disguising his bicycle in gift wrap.

Angus Macfadyen was left stranded at London Bridge station because of a South Eastern ban on taking cycles on trains during peak hours.

The BBC cameraman said: 'I asked the stationmaster if there was any limit on carrying bulky luggage or parcels and he said there wasn't. He agreed that I could take my bike on if it was gift-wrapped. His parting words were, 'Make sure it has bows on it'.'

After a trip to WH Smith he 'disguised' the bike — despite the handlebars sticking out — and was allowed on the platform.

Mr Macfadyen, 34, said it was 4.30pm when he was turned away and the train was not full. 'Station staff have been told to make no exceptions but they know there is often spare space and it is possible to be flexible,' he said.

South Eastern, which has recently begun rigidly enforcing the ban between 7am and 9.59am and 4pm and 6.59pm on weekdays, said overcrowded trains could be delayed by the time needed to load and unload bikes.

Cianos

wahlrab wrote:

surely if you say take off the front wheel you could get it onto the dart, I suppose this only applies to the quick release wheels out there. anyone tried to do this?

I used to bring my bike on the Dart a lot. I'd just release the front wheel before I walked into the station, and carry the bike to the ticket desk. If you ask, they may say no, but if you dont mention the bike, most times they are not going to bother stopping you. Especially off peak. Once or twice I have been stopped, but then I just cycled to the next station, tried again and got on no bother;)

I'd usually just rest the bike against the door that wouldn't be opening at the stations, and sit down beside it.

blorg

hunnymonster wrote:

Thanks Borg, saved me a bit of time doing that research. My bike is only a 52 cm so might fit but I'll bring a little tool kit just in case I need to play about. Now I don't suppose you want to suggest a hilly route of about 100 miles for saturday morning?

I would imagine a 52cm would fit fine without removing wheels, and if they are quick release no tools required in any case. I wouldn't even have to remove the front much of the time, depends on which side of the train is free, it will fit either side if it is pointing forward- with the handlebars turned slightly so the front wheel is overlapping a column by 2-3cm or so- but on one side in this configuration the derailleur will be on the inside where it could knock off the wall.

Regarding routes, nothing that long as yet I'm afraid but there is a small road to Kinsale (outward part of this loop) that is certainly mighty hilly, constant up and down with relatively short but very steep climbs.

daymobrew

hunnymonster wrote:

Now I don't suppose you want to suggest a hilly route of about 100 miles for saturday morning?

The climb up to the airport (on the way to Kinsale as blorg describes) would be quite a tough climb.

I've always wanted to start at the N8/N25 junction, cycle up the hill to Fermoy and then take back roads to Midleton (when going to relatives that live there). That would test leg stamina!

blorg

daymobrew wrote:

The climb up to the airport (on the way to Kinsale as blorg describes) would be quite a tough climb.

Yes, it's long and steady- but I'm afraid after the hilliness of the route to Kinsale that we took it hardly seemed like a hill at all!

mikemac

Apologies for dragging this thread up again.
It some info already so better than starting a new one.

Like a lot posters here that here in North Dublin I'd like to be able to take the bike to Wicklow at weekends.
Cycling around Malahide and Howth is nice but it sure is getting boring!

So what are the odds of getting a bicycle on a Dart?
I'm not talking peak times. Probably early Sunday morning so the train will be mostly empty. And return from Wicklow around 4pm so offpeak time again.

Anyone else do this?

dazman2250

Me and my mate have done it before (with just the one bike) but you cant get it through the turnstiles (cos the ticket guy will sting you) so we had to resort to throwing the bike over the wall or walking down along the seafront which can only be done if your at certain stops (eg Blackrock, Monkstown, Booterstown, etc). Obviously not the sort of thing to be doing with a carbon fibre racer, hunk of junk montain bikes only!

RDM_83

blorg wrote: »

It's very easy to take the bike to Cork, I do it regularly. Goes in the guard's van, you put it on yourself. I bring cable ties and hang it from the hooks on the wall- brake lever (drop bars) over the front hook (with padding underneath, t-shirt or whatever) and back wheel cable-tied to the back hook. Front wheel I take off and cable tie to the middle hook but you may not need to do this depending on the size of your bike, mine (58cm) is just a very little too big to fit in the space. This arrangement eliminates the possibility of it falling over and so far so good with no damage. Remember to bring a small scissors to retrieve the bike of course.

Cost is a bit steep, €8 each way, but I believe this is the same for any distance so you are getting your value with Cork.

Thanks for the informative posts
Just resurrecting this thread cos myself and the girlfriend are thinking of taking our bikes down to clare, question is how long does it take to get bikes out of the train, this is important cos on the way down there's the following change.

Dublin Heuston Ballybrophy
09:00
10:05
Ballybrophy Birdhill
10:10
11:25

ps take it there isn't a way to buy a bike ticket online

blorg

RDM_83 wrote: »

Thanks for the informative posts
Just resurrecting this thread cos myself and the girlfriend are thinking of taking our bikes down to clare, question is how long does it take to get bikes out of the train, this is important cos on the way down there's the following change.

Dublin Heuston Ballybrophy
09:00
10:05
Ballybrophy Birdhill
10:10
11:25

ps take it there isn't a way to buy a bike ticket online

It's easy enough to get it out, you would want to be in the guard's van getting the bike ready to go before the train arrives in the station.

I think you can open the door OK from the inside, it's only an issue opening from the outside (you have to get them to do it.) Ultimately you can get it out through the passenger door if needs be.

That is pretty tight all the same, but if the trains were same platform (e.g. just straight across the platform to the other train, which I imagine they are) then you should be OK. The other train is probably timed for the first train and waits for it.

No, unfortunately you can't buy a bike ticket online, only in person.

penexpers

You might want to check what train runs from Ballybrophy to Birdhill, if it's one of the commuter style trains, they mightn't allow it.

RDM_83

Thanks for that (now to check how easy my front wheel is to take off-meant to be quick release but haven't done that since i got it).
Both trains are intercity (now fingers crossed that the trains aren't on strike)

blorg

This is how I do it:



There is plenty of room for the bikes without doing this (indeed on the other side you can hang the bike without removing the front wheel.) I would hang my bike so that it wouldn't fall over or damage itself (it's a sensitive flower.)

Victor

I would check to make sure: http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_info/bikes.php

monument

Victor wrote: »

I would check to make sure: http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_info/bikes.php

"but not on Manualla Junction - Ballina shuttle"

I've brought a bike on it and seen others do the same on diffrent days