New trains pose bike worry

BICYCLE users say newly ordered trains have too little space for bikes.

The design of new carriages being ordered by South Central does not cater for the needs of existing customers and will leave passengers stranded on the platform, claim members of the Cycle Touring Club.

The new trains will run from London to Brighton from the summer and on south-coastal routes from Brighton and Hove from the end of this month.

Said a CTC spokesman: 'There will be just two bike spaces per three-car unit to be shared with wheelchair users and luggage, compared to the 12 or more cycles that can currently fit into guards vans.

'A study two years ago found that on average each train surveyed carried 11 bikes. Cyclists used trains to reach work, school and the town's two universities, to reach ferry ports and Gatwick airport and to start leisure rides and holidays.

'Better cycle parking, while welcome, is no substitute when cyclists need their bikes at both ends of their journey.

'Everyone agrees that cycles should be carried to fulfil integrated transport policy but no-one will take responsibility for making that happen. Trains should be designed with adequate space for push-chairs, bulky luggage and cycles as well as space for wheelchair users.

'The proposed cycle/ wheelchair space is bound to fill up with suitcases, especially on the Gatwick line, making it useless to both wheelchair users and cyclists.'

Said a spokesman for South Central: 'The introduction of new trains to the network will have a limited impact on passengers being able to travel with their bicycles.

'Our current policy, which will continue with the arrival of new trains, allows for cyclists to carry bikes during the off-peak period on both slam door and sliding door trains.

'Once the new sliding door trains replace all slam doors, there will be designated space available for cycles, as well as the current storage space by the doors.'