Bikes on trains ?

phil99 said:

I live in the South of England and my local train operator is South West Trains, could anybody tell me what is the current policy for taking my bike on a train?

Here it is Phil...not good reading i'm afraid! 😠

Cycles on SWT

SWT runs a busy service and space for cycles is limited. If you have not reserved a space or a reservation is not offered we cannot guarentee you will be able to join the train with your cycle if the allocated cycle space is already full. For reasons of safety and comfort of our passengers our staff have the right to refuse a cycle if there is insufficient space available.

Where Cycles are Restricted.

At peak times the following restrictions apply:
In the area bounded by Hook, Alton, Guildford, Reading, Dorking, cycles may not join or alight from services due to arrive in London between 0715 and 1000 inclusive and departing London 1645 and 1900 inclusive. A small number of services extending beyond the area will also be restricted. This will be advised at local stations.
In addition to the restrictions above, cycles are not permitted on morning peak services away from London in the area bounded by Clapham Junction, Feltham and Strawberry Hill on sevices timed to leave Clapham Junction between 0745 and 0900.

Cycles may be carried on sevices between Ascot, Aldershot and Guildford at anytime.

Where reservations are needed.

Cycle reservations are needed on all West of England line services(London Waterloo to Salisbury/Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth), all services between Totton and Romsey via Chandlers Ford and between Reading and Brighton. The cycle reservations are free and can be booked from staffed stations. We recommend you make your reservation at least 24 hours in advance.

Where reservations are not required.

Where reservations are not required cycles are permitted and space will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

SWT is evaluating whether to extend its cycle reservation system to mainline peak services some time after Jan 2005. Customers will be advised of any such changes via the website and through other communications.

There will be no cycle restrictions on the Portsmouth to Southampton route however we are monitoring the situation and may introduce restrictions at a later date.