Refused admission to Dublin Bus with a folding bicycle

Amalgam

OP, I think you were just unlucky, I've had a Brompton for a few years in Dublin and I've never had issues with Dublin Bus, or the LUAS.

I've only been refused entry once, that was due to me folding the bike in front of the person that refused me entry, a liability issue, apparently, bringing it into Roches Stores, Henry Street.

My advice would be to always fold the Brompton before the bus arrives, less chance of the driver 'twigging' what you have.

tomasrojo

Thanks @Amalgam, but I had it folded long before the bus arrived. The driver didn't see it being folded.

My wife thinks from his driving pattern that he was going to drive on when he saw me at the stop with the Brompton folded up in one hand and the other outstretched to stop him, but then she put out her hand and he stopped, not realising she was with me. That's why he allowed her to pay while telling me to get off.

It seems to be a straightforward case of anti-cyclist prejudice.

tomasrojo

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2010/jan/19/cycling-ethical-living

Since when is a folding bike not allowed on a train?The rules on when bikes are classed as legitimate luggage seem to be in a bit of a spin

In the days when I used to take an Airnimal folder on my commute, it needed to be very neatly stowed in the luggage rack to avoid the attentions of some staff, who suspected it of being an ordinary bike trying to trick its way into the train.

It raised an interesting ontological question. How long does a bike's edgy, authority-challenging bikeyness survive? Is it still essentially a bike after it's folded? According to the incident I witnessed this week, it is. What if it hasn't got its wheels attached? What if it's in a suitcase? Completely dismantled? Or melted down?

tomasrojo

Another article that mentions refusal to take folding bikes on public transport.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/15/folding-bicycles-manchester-trams

Here's some good news for a grey, damp Monday. You might recall that a month ago we featured the peculiar rules on Manchester's tram system, which has not only banned cycles from being carried at all times, but extends this proscription to folding bikes, unless they've been put inside a case.

...

Why the welcome change of heart? Much of the reason seems to be the long-running and inventive campaign by cycling organisations in the city. In fact, the new working group will even ask the opinions of two of these, Greater Manchester Cycle Campaign and Love Your Bike.

In a touch which I particularly liked, the latter group, run by Manchester Friends of the Earth, tried to show up the idiocy of the current rules by taking ironing boards and deckchairs – which are permitted – onto trams, along with folded bikes, to show which is the more cumbersome.

blorg

tomasrojo

To have combined the two subjects of cycling and ironing in one image with such alacrity is truly impressive.

tomasrojo

I just read something in Brompton Bicycle by David Henshaw which is germane to this slightly old thread.

Page 136:

Buses and Aircraft
Bus companies generally expect folding bikes to be covered, and as the door is usually beside the driver, it makes sense to cover the bike well in advance, and keep a low profile. Never use the word bicycle, and try to avoid conflict. Unlike a railway guard, a bus driver has complete autonomy when away from base, and can turn anyone away for any reason, so argument is pointless.

I should have got this book sooner, I suppose.