Irish Rail + bicycles

Curb Your Enthusiasm

So, this is what I had to "secure" my bike to on this mornings Cork to Heuston service. Not even a bike section on-board (usually they have just 2 places anyway)

Staff: "they don't usually fall over!"

Appalling. How can we encourage cycling and mixed use sustainable transport, with this carry on?



PS: yes, that's an old bike tube that's wrapped around my bike to attempt to secure it somewhat - it was left on the train...

Phil.x

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

So, this is what I had to "secure" my bike to on this mornings Cork to Heuston service. Not even a bike section on-board (usually they have just 2 places anyway)

Staff: "they don't usually fall over!"

Appalling. How can we encourage cycling and mixed use sustainable transport, with this carry on?



PS: yes, that's an old bike tube that's wrapped around my bike to attempt to secure it somewhat - it was left on the train...

Rules are, you're meant to stand beside your bike when travelling, i presume to stop it falling.

Mr. Grieves

Somewhat related, has anyone experience of taking a bike on the DART at the weekend? Do the stations have reasonable access to get to the platform with a bike?

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Phil.x wrote: »

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

So, this is what I had to "secure" my bike to on this mornings Cork to Heuston service. Not even a bike section on-board (usually they have just 2 places anyway)

Staff: "they don't usually fall over!"

Appalling. How can we encourage cycling and mixed use sustainable transport, with this carry on?



PS: yes, that's an old bike tube that's wrapped around my bike to attempt to secure it somewhat - it was left on the train...

Rules are, you're meant to stand beside your bike when travelling, i presume to stop it falling.

Not sure if you're being serious. It's a 2.5 hour journey. There should be dedicated bike racks on every train, as per their website.

wijam

Mr. Grieves wrote: »

Somewhat related, has anyone experience of taking a bike on the DART at the weekend? Do the stations have reasonable access to get to the platform with a bike?

Have jumped on at Connolly, Tara, Bray and Greystones, those 4 stops are ok, although when jumping off at Tara, easy way out is to carry bike down the stairs, we’ll probably because I haven’t checked other options

Dr_Colossus

Unrelated to Irish Rail but years ago in the States was impressed that most city buses in Washington DC had bike racks on the front similar to the below:

Nothing like the below in Ireland which would give better commuting options around cities.

cython

Phil.x wrote: »

Rules are, you're meant to stand beside your bike when travelling, i presume to stop it falling.

Not on intercity services, their own website states there is storage, either racks on ICRs services, or separate compartment on loco hauled.

LollipopJimmy

I've used this same carriage, I'm failing to see the issue if I'm honest

CramCycle

Phil.x wrote: »

Rules are, you're meant to stand beside your bike when travelling, i presume to stop it falling.

Not where the storage area does not allow standing

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

I've used this same carriage, I'm failing to see the issue if I'm honest

Same here, it would be nice if they had a hook to hold the wheel but its never bothered me

LollipopJimmy

CramCycle wrote: »

Same here, it would be nice if they had a hook to hold the wheel but its never bothered me

Drop bars fit in the hooks on the wall.

OleRodrigo

Agreed. The issue here is why there isn't a similar carriage for all the IE routes. Its only Dublin/ Cork and the Belfast Enterprise ( run by NI Rail ) in my experience.

I've had to stand with my bike a few times on the Sligo train because other passengers mistook the bike area as somewhere they could store oversized suitcases ( despite reserving the bike slot in advance ).

CramCycle

OleRodrigo wrote: »

Agreed. The issue here is why there isn't a similar carriage for all the IE routes. Its only Dublin/ Cork and the Belfast Enterprise ( run by NI Rail ) in my experience.

I've had to stand with my bike a few times on the Sligo train because other passengers mistook the bike area as somewhere they could store oversized suitcases ( despite reserving the bike slot in advance ).

Pretty much everytime unless your first on the train when heading to Sligo or Wexford.

LollipopJimmy

OleRodrigo wrote: »

Agreed. The issue here is why there isn't a similar carriage for all the IE routes. Its only Dublin/ Cork and the Belfast Enterprise ( run by NI Rail ) in my experience.

I've had to stand with my bike a few times on the Sligo train because other passengers mistook the bike area as somewhere they could store oversized suitcases ( despite reserving the bike slot in advance ).

I remove those cases and put them against the trackside door

iwillhtfu

Out of interest did you book a bike place with your ticket. What annoys me is when you go to the bother of booking a bike on and then the rack being rammed with bikes when you get on the train. I won;t even mention having to ask people to get out of your reserved seat.

The whole system is a farce to be honest and it wouldn't take a whole lot to fix it.

I didn't think you were allowed to bring bikes on the dart. Are you?

silverharp

Mr. Grieves wrote: »

Somewhat related, has anyone experience of taking a bike on the DART at the weekend? Do the stations have reasonable access to get to the platform with a bike?

certain stations have a disabled access barrier , maybe their website would give details, that would make accessible for a bike

CramCycle

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I didn't think you were allowed to bring bikes on the dart. Are you?

You are out of rush hour times, its quite handy if you don't trust your local station to lock it up in or nearby.

Del2005

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Unrelated to Irish Rail but years ago in the States was impressed that most city buses in Washington DC had bike racks on the front similar to the below:

Nothing like the below in Ireland which would give better commuting options around cities.

Not very pedestrian or cyclist friendly thought, better not to have metal bars sticking out the front of vehicles.

CramCycle

Del2005 wrote: »

Not very pedestrian or cyclist friendly thought, better not to have metal bars sticking out the front of vehicles.

Only really unfriendly if you tail gate cyclists or drive to close to junctions, I seen them in California and while use was minimal, it was still handy.

Del2005

CramCycle wrote: »

Only really unfriendly if you tail gate cyclists or drive to close to junctions, I seen them in California and while use was minimal, it was still handy.

We've designed vehicles to reduce the risk of injury to vulnerable road users if they hit them, sticking a big lump of metal to the vehicle makes it dangerous.

CramCycle

Del2005 wrote: »

We've designed vehicles to reduce the risk of injury to vulnerable road users if they hit them, sticking a big lump of metal to the vehicle makes it dangerous.

I can assure you that the vehicles that have these attached too were not designed in this way. I wouldn't be surprised if you looked at their shape, and intended speed, they would be safer than getting hit full on with the front of the bus.

dhaughton99

Just stand it upside down.

Effects

CramCycle wrote: »

You are out of rush hour times, its quite handy if you don't trust your local station to lock it up in or nearby.

Still plenty of people bringing bikes on during rush hour which is really annoying.

CramCycle

Effects wrote: »

Still plenty of people bringing bikes on during rush hour which is really annoying.

Depends on the station, many will stop you going through, it maybe annoying but it also advertises that at peak times we are really under serviced with many commuter trains being like sardine tins.

Effects

Yeah, I've noticed it a few times but it was a struggle to get off at my station one day during rush hour. People couldn't move out of the way as easily as there was a bike crammed into the carriage as well.

eeeee

OleRodrigo wrote: »

<snip>

I've had to stand with my bike a few times on the Sligo train because other passengers mistook the bike area as somewhere they could store oversized suitcases ( despite reserving the bike slot in advance ).

This drives me mad. I get the Sligo train a lot, and people just wallop massive bags and luggage in on top of my bike - that's if there aren't bags there already. And the indignation when you have to move it all out to get the bike into the only place you can store it on the train :rolleyes:

Effects

I went to London by bike a few years back, rail and sail. On the return journey I'd a few changes and one of the trains had seats that folded up to make room for bikes. The conductor asked two people to get up from a seat to make room for my bike. They didn't look happy at all.

smacl

Was down in Mayo with the bike over the weekend taking the train for Huston to Claremorris and back. Booked a bike space and seat close by for both legs. On the way down the bike coach wasn't the one listed on the web site and was full of luggage which the Irish Rail guy told people to move for the bike which was grand. On the way back the bike spaces were full so ended up leaving the bike in the corridor at the top of the train and got a seat near enough to to keep an eye on it, so also grand. Main issue I'd have is the booking web site is a work of fantasy when it comes to bikes. The staff on the ground seem good though and seem keen to get you and the bike to the far end. I reckon the trick is to travel off peak where possible. Also only two legit bike spaces per train is a joke.

smacl

Weepsie wrote: »

With some careful placement, those racks can fit 5 bikes. You kind of need to be all travelling together though and getting off at the same stop

I'd guess that would work if you were getting on at the terminus but would be fun and games getting on at a smaller stop. Even today, getting on to the bike carriage at Claremorris to find it full and having to get off and leg it to another carriage with a loaded bike was rushed.

Lewotsil

Dr_Colossus wrote:

Unrelated to Irish Rail but years ago in the States was impressed that most city buses in Washington DC had bike racks on the front similar to the below:

Saw that last year in Ottawa, Canada ....very simple and impressive

g0g

Traveling to Cork with bike next month by rail. I gather many Cork trains have a separate area from your carriage for bikes. Can anyone tell me:
1 Is it secured? Do I need to bring a lock? (really don't want to)
2 Which end of train (Cork bound) is the carriage with bike storage? (I want to at least be nearby)
3 If it's a train with storage within each carriage can it be either end of carriage?
Thanks

brocbrocach

1. it's not secured. To be honest I needed the lock I brought just to make sure the bike stayed on the rack.
2. I think it's next to engine.
3. Don't know. Think your assigned a specific seat which has space next to it - also can be used by a wheelchair.

CramCycle

When your booking, when you get to the part to book a seat you can see where the bike storage is. Occasionally they put the wrong carriage on but it's rare.

g0g

Weepsie wrote: »

Threads merged. Please try searching as this is a commonly asked question


It's near the first class carriage. Luggage/Bikes > First Class > Food > Standard Carriages

Thanks yeah I actually did browse the forum earlier as I remembered the thread but it was on my mobile and it didn't jump out so I started new thread. Nice job on merging it, can find what I need now!

g0g

CramCycle wrote: »

When your booking, when you get to the part to book a seat you can see where the bike storage is. Occasionally they put the wrong carriage on but it's rare.

So I just did a sample booking on a train that included bike space and the top of each carriage is a picture of luggage. Is that the space in this case then? I would have thought this might be a setup with a lower level and an upper shelf around waist height or so which might not be suitable for bikes?

CramCycle

g0g wrote: »

So I just did a sample booking on a train that included bike space and the top of each carriage is a picture of luggage. Is that the space in this case then? I would have thought this might be a setup with a lower level and an upper shelf around waist height or so which might not be suitable for bikes?

If the bikes are stored in the carriage, you will see a bike symbol I'm the space where the bikes go. It might only be on one or two carriages so you might have to click through them. If you don't see it, I presume it's a separate luggage carriage like happens on some routes.

Carawaystick

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

So, this is what I had to "secure" my bike to on this mornings Cork to Heuston service. Not even a bike section on-board (usually they have just 2 places anyway)



Appalling. How can we encourage cycling and mixed use sustainable transport, with this carry on?
.

Looks like loads of room for others to bring bikes on the train. Can't see the issue. Enterprise is the same.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Carawaystick wrote: »

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

So, this is what I had to "secure" my bike to on this mornings Cork to Heuston service. Not even a bike section on-board (usually they have just 2 places anyway)



Appalling. How can we encourage cycling and mixed use sustainable transport, with this carry on?
.

Looks like loads of room for others to bring bikes on the train. Can't see the issue. Enterprise is the same.

There is nothing to secure the bikes to. Unless you bring a bungee cable, or have a long cable lock. Even then, the bike mostly still falls over during the journey.

smacl

CramCycle wrote: »

When your booking, when you get to the part to book a seat you can see where the bike storage is. Occasionally they put the wrong carriage on but it's rare.

Wrong carriage about half the time in my experience (not Cork route), and booked bike space occupied by other bikes (also booked) on my last trip. Still always managed to get the bike on, but a bit chaotic as often as not. Had to take the wheels off once and stick it the baggage area by the toilets which is a reasonable fall-back plan.

CramCycle

smacl wrote: »

Wrong carriage about half the time in my experience (not Cork route), and booked bike space occupied by other bikes (also booked) on my last trip. Still always managed to get the bike on, but a bit chaotic as often as not. Had to take the wheels off once and stick it the baggage area by the toilets which is a reasonable fall-back plan.

It has happened to me once or twice, on one occasion the Galway train had racks on every carriage but all of them were overflowing with bikes and luggage. Train was so cramped the ticket collector didn't even bother coming down. I was dutifully informed by other users this was the common capacity for that train

LollipopJimmy

Weepsie wrote: »

I've used this carriagie quite a lot. Bike has never fallen over once

Same

hanifanze

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

So, this is what I had to "secure" my bike to on this mornings Cork to Heuston service. Not even a bike section on-board (usually they have just 2 places anyway)

Staff: "they don't usually fall over!"

Appalling. How can we encourage cycling and mixed use sustainable transport, with this carry on?



PS: yes, that's an old bike tube that's wrapped around my bike to attempt to secure it somewhat - it was left on the train...

I've had to stand with my bike a few times on the Sligo train because other passengers mistook the bike area as somewhere they could store oversized suitcases ( despite reserving the bike slot in advance ).

smacl

Weepsie wrote: »

I'd have no qualms removing luggage there. I've had staff remove it on that train too, now it wasn't so busy these times, but they actually cared that people who had booked a particular thing should get it.

Same, I find the staff are always helpful. They could actually do with some signage on the racks in large red letters saying the bike racks are for bikes only.

Mercian Pro

Weepsie wrote: »

With some careful placement, those racks can fit 5 bikes. You kind of need to be all travelling together though and getting off at the same stop

Three of us were on the 7.00am Sligo train this morning with bikes and had no trouble fitting all three in the racks. Brought a couple of short straps to stop them bouncing off each other. Can't really figure out how to fit five! The helpful Spanish girl serving tea and coffee offered to move her trolley from the end lobby if we needed to use it for a bike.

Irish Rail were adamant that they only allow two bikes per train when we enquired yesterday!

LennoxR

I find the old fashioned guard van that they have on the Dublin Cork train to be the best actually. As people are saying. Less messing around than the the racks etc, which can only hold about two bikes whereas the guard van could fit over a dozen bikes easily. It would be better if there was still a guard van on all trains imo.

De Bhál

when you book a slot for your bike, is there something to lock it too as I'd worry someone might walk off with it if I didn't have a constant eye on it?

CramCycle

I put a lock on the wheel but generally sit nearby.

De Bhál

CramCycle wrote: »

I put a lock on the wheel but generally sit nearby.

ok good, there's seats nearby. First time doing this and assumed the bikes were in a separate carriage or something.