Bikes, trains and Delamere Forest ….
Posted on March 17th, 2010, by The Chairman
One of our members writes:
“I used the 1017 from Piccadilly last Saturday, which was full and standing from Stockport.
“The conductor had trouble persuading kids to put their bikes out of the way – there were about 10 and they were going to Delamere.
“I have seen increaing numbers of people using Delamere for cycling. Often there’s more than 2 on a train, and most of the conductors seem to do their best to fit them in.
“However, I would never risk taking my bike on a train in case I was stranded.
“I can foresee conflict with Northern’s policy of only 2 bikes per train (emphasised in the latest timetable leaflet) and Merseyrail’s aim of getting more people to go there and their no limit on bikes policy.
“Are they talking to each other?”
2 comments 
Category:
March 18th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
“I used the 1017 from Piccadilly last Saturday, which was full and standing from Stockport.”
Good – nice to see healthy usage of off-peak services on the line.
I occasionally carry my bike on the train on the line, and on other Northern Rail services, and I’d say that overall they’re one of the better operators with regard to carrying bikes – all of the trains have clearly marked area for cycles, and the guards tend to all adopt a common sense approach. Likewise, on the odd occasion when carrying a bike on the train is going to help me make my journey at either end, I try to avoid the peak times – the last thing I want is to inconvenience other passengers.
On this occasion it sounds like the kids were being a bit unrealistic, although of course in times gone by they would have had the ample space of a guards van…
I personally think Northern’s general common sense approach (which is less restrictive than the ’2 cycles official policy’) with flexible areas that can be used for cycles/pushchairs/luggage, etc, makes the best use of current rolling stock. Most cyclists are reasonable although evidently there is the odd occasion when the demand exceeds the space available.
I’d be concerned if a future tram-train for the line did not carry cycles – this would be a retrograde step in terms of integrated transport.
In terms of Delamere Forest, this should be promoted even more as a destination for rail travellers to go to – are there any discounts on cycle hire for rail passengers?
March 18th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Hi, there!
I’ve asked our good friends in Delamere Forest about discounts on cycle hire.
We should have an answer soon.
Best wishes,
John