Keeping bicycles at the train station

Red Alert

For a few reasons I'm considering moving back to Dublin and commuting to work in Dundalk by train. My job's about half an hour's walk from the station so buying a cheap bike would really make it all work better. The only question is, is there any policy in Irish Rail in general on bikes kept semi-permanently at a station?

laoisfan

http://www.irishrail.ie/travel-information/bicycle-information

Parking is at your own risk. Make sure it is a cheap bicycle that you're using, at least if it goes off for a walk you are not down on much money.

07Lapierre

Another option is a folding Bike?

Carry it onto the train, then cycle to work from the train station. This way you don't have to worry about leaving it at the train station. If you can walk from the station in a 1/2 hour, then IMO this type of bike is perfect for you.

If your company is in the Bike to Work scheme you can get the bike even cheaper.


http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dahon-vitesse-d8-2014/

bigar

I do not think there is any train station in Dublin that has adequate bicycle stands. Why not consider Dublin Bikes? There may be some stations close to where you need to be.

ballooba

bigar wrote: »

I do not think there is any train station in Dublin that has adequate bicycle stands. Why not consider Dublin Bikes? There may be some stations close to where you need to be.

Looks like Dundalk is the venue for the bike.

Spook_ie

http://www.irishrail.ie/travel-information/drogheda-macbride

Sheltered bike parking, security is the question you need to think about

Bell the station and ask
+353 (0) 41 9838749 or 1850 366 222 (+353 1 8366222)

Hilly Bill

http://www.bikelocker.ie/

Maybe of use.

loyatemu

Hilly Bill wrote: »

http://www.bikelocker.ie/

Maybe of use.

None at Dundalk.

Folding bikes look like a lot of hassle on a crowded train.

Best bike security is a good lock and a sh!t (looking) bike. Buy a cheap second-hand bike, get is properly serviced and just leave it at the station. I used to park my bike at Bray where the racks are inside the station - occasionally Irish Rail would remove any obviously abandoned bikes, but this was rare enough.

bk

I'm not really convinced by foldup bikes, not if you are making the same commute journey every day.

They are relatively expensive, usually over €1000 and cycle worse then even the crappiest second hand regular bike.

I think it is a better option to buy a cheap second hand bike, get it well serviced, make it look as ugly as possible (urban camouflage) and put a decent (mini u-lock) on it and just leave it at the station.

It will ride better, you don't have to haul it on the train, and it will cost a fifth to a tenth of the cost of a fold-up bike.

Even if it eventually gets stolen (unlikely with a decent lock on a cheap, ugly looking bike), just replace it, you would still need to have it stolen 5 to 10 times before it would equal the cost of the fold-up bike.

If you need to cycle both ends of your journey, then just buy two second hand bikes and leave one at each station.

Red Alert

Thanks very much for the advice one and all. I called around by the station and had a chat with them and they said there's no problem leaving it there but obviously it's my problem if it gets stolen so get a cheap one and make it look ugly. I'm actually thinking now of getting a second one for the far end (most likely the Dart line at Blackrock).

Fold up bike would be a bit too much to be honest, when you include the fact I'd be bringing along a rucksack as well.