Why Southern Railway don't allow bicycles on all their trains

Dear Mr Miscellanean

Thank you for your email.

Firstly, I would like to clarify our exact cycle policy, which is as follows:

Ordinary cycles are not permitted on weekday trains travelling towards London or Brighton that are due to arrive at either destination between 0700 and 1000. Also, ordinary cycles are not permitted on weekday trains leaving London or Brighton between 1600 and 1900. This includes shorter journeys commencing or finishing en route on such trains. However, if the train does not fall into any of the above categories, then you can take your cycle on it at any time.

Standard-sized folding cycles are permitted on any train. By standard-sized we mean traditional folding cycles, with small wheels, that fold in more than one place to about the size of a briefcase when fully folded. We do not mean a normal sized cycle that folds in the middle so that you can get it in your car easily.

This policy has been in place for a number of years. Up until now, we had been happy to let the policy self-manage, particularly on routes where old slam-door trains with guards vans were present. However, more and more passengers are using our trains and we had been receiving complaints from passengers and staff that cycles were blocking access and egress and this position was no longer tenable.

Our predecessors made a policy decision several years ago to eliminate guards vans as such in favour of additional seating and we do not plan to reverse that judgement. However, before reaching a conclusion about cycle policy enforcement, we researched the issue and found that the number of cycles on our trains at the busiest times was impeding the free movement of both passengers and staff. Staff had been experiencing difficulty in walking through the trains which in turn had a negative impact on safety, security and revenue protection. We also found that as well as preventing disabled people accessing wheelchair spaces, the presence of cycles was causing occasional damage to vehicle interiors, and making it difficult for passengers to move through trains, causing unnecessary crowding.

With the completion of our new trains introduction programme last November, the increase in cycle storage facilities at stations (many provided through partnerships with local authorities), and the increase in the carriage of cycles, we decided to enforce our policy. In doing so, we accept that this will cause some inconvenience to cyclists, many of whom have taken their cycles on trains for many years. However, our assessment is that if we had not taken this action, the already significant problems I have highlighted would have worsened.

We have not introduced an outright prohibition because we only wish to prevent the carriage of ordinary cycles where absolutely necessary. This enforcement brings us into line with the policy adopted by most other train operators who provide commuter services including the neighbouring South West Trains and South Eastern.

With regard to users of folding cycles being asked to fold them prior to reaching the ticket barrier, our aim is to avoid congestion which might otherwise arise at the platform entrance. The related need to have them folded upon entering the platform is to try to make sure that they are folded before entry to the train and to avoid users being left behind when trains are dispatched. I am sure you will understand that we would not opt to make a train leave late in those circumstances. However, we’re not being absolutely rigid about folding and, where carrying a folding cycle presents the owner with particular difficulty, we will allow them to wheel their bike up to the train so long as they agree to fold it before they board.

Finally, I should make clear that we welcome folding cycles at any time. We are sympathetic to the aspirations of the cycling community. That's why we are only restricting cycles during peak hours when so many of our trains are already operating at full capacity.

Regards
Xxxx Xxxx
Southern Customer Services