Enforcement of Bikes on Trains Rules

Mark Gleeson · 08-10-2015, 14:32

Its something we have raised several times, the safety aspect was a source of serious concern and this was delaying trains as people had to climb over abandoned bikes.

The bike rack was designed in response to complaints by RUI and others but we did not have input in the design, we simply were shown the completed item.

To be completely clear all of us here at Rail Users Ireland support carrying bikes on trains but we are realistic as to the rush hour situation. Taking out more seats isn't going to work.

Thomas J Stamp · 14-10-2015, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Its something we have raised several times, the safety aspect was a source of serious concern and this was delaying trains as people had to climb over abandoned bikes.

The bike rack was designed in response to complaints by RUI and others but we did not have input in the design, we simply were shown the completed item.

To be completely clear all of us here at Rail Users Ireland support carrying bikes on trains but we are realistic as to the rush hour situation. Taking out more seats isn't going to work.

yeah well i'm still waiting for the motorbike rack i suggested at the time to be implemented.

James Shields · 19-10-2015, 11:19

I've occasionally carried bikes on the 7:22 from Drogheda, which is operated by a 22K Intercity DMU. I asked staff at the station beforehand, and they said no problem, as it's an Intercity train. The only difficulty is that you never know which end of the train the bike rack will be at (it's normally a pair of 3-car sets, so there could be one at each end, two in the middle, or one at the end and one at the middle), so if I guess wrong I have to run for the correct location.

I tried the same on the 16:44 from Pearse, but staff there told me that although it was an Intercity train, it was a commuter service, so bikes are not allowed.

James

Mark Gleeson · 19-10-2015, 12:51

The Connolly side is an issue alright.

We do need a very clear indication of the bike rack location on the coach side

James Shields · 19-10-2015, 12:53

There is a bicycle sticker on the door nearest the bike rack, but it's quite small. I've often seen bikes stuffed in the doorwell of 22Ks.

James

James Howard · 19-10-2015, 15:01

Is there an operational reason why 22K trains are randomly arranged or was it just one of those little details that Irish Rail couldn't be bothered with sorting out when putting the sets together in the first place.

It is a minor inconvenience for most people but a more serious problem for people with poor mobility when they have no idea where the accessible car is going to end up.

The bicycle and wheelchair stickers are ridiculously hard to see, being tiny and stuck onto the inside of the tinted glass in the doorway.

Jamie2k9 · 19-10-2015, 15:27

It cannot be helped, trains get turned on certain routes Waterford/Limerick/WRC etc while units change regularly at Heuston/Connolly etc while the joiners can be very sensitive and dont join up (or not allowed to be joined until repaired at times).

You cannot change this however I don't think bike/wheelchair thing is a major issue, the end coach with a full line of windows and a small gap between them and doors is the bike and the end coach with no windoe some distance from the doors is the wheelchair coach.

08-10-2015, 14:32	#1
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Its something we have raised several times, the safety aspect was a source of serious concern and this was delaying trains as people had to climb over abandoned bikes. The bike rack was designed in response to complaints by RUI and others but we did not have input in the design, we simply were shown the completed item. To be completely clear all of us here at Rail Users Ireland support carrying bikes on trains but we are realistic as to the rush hour situation. Taking out more seats isn't going to work. __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

19-10-2015, 12:51	#4
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	The Connolly side is an issue alright. We do need a very clear indication of the bike rack location on the coach side __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

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19-10-2015, 11:19	#3
James Shields Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Drogheda, Ireland Posts: 1,275	I've occasionally carried bikes on the 7:22 from Drogheda, which is operated by a 22K Intercity DMU. I asked staff at the station beforehand, and they said no problem, as it's an Intercity train. The only difficulty is that you never know which end of the train the bike rack will be at (it's normally a pair of 3-car sets, so there could be one at each end, two in the middle, or one at the end and one at the middle), so if I guess wrong I have to run for the correct location. I tried the same on the 16:44 from Pearse, but staff there told me that although it was an Intercity train, it was a commuter service, so bikes are not allowed. James

19-10-2015, 12:53	#5
James Shields Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Drogheda, Ireland Posts: 1,275	There is a bicycle sticker on the door nearest the bike rack, but it's quite small. I've often seen bikes stuffed in the doorwell of 22Ks. James

19-10-2015, 15:01	#6
James Howard Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sligo Line Posts: 1,115	Is there an operational reason why 22K trains are randomly arranged or was it just one of those little details that Irish Rail couldn't be bothered with sorting out when putting the sets together in the first place. It is a minor inconvenience for most people but a more serious problem for people with poor mobility when they have no idea where the accessible car is going to end up. The bicycle and wheelchair stickers are ridiculously hard to see, being tiny and stuck onto the inside of the tinted glass in the doorway.

19-10-2015, 15:27	#7
Jamie2k9 Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,146	It cannot be helped, trains get turned on certain routes Waterford/Limerick/WRC etc while units change regularly at Heuston/Connolly etc while the joiners can be very sensitive and dont join up (or not allowed to be joined until repaired at times). You cannot change this however I don't think bike/wheelchair thing is a major issue, the end coach with a full line of windows and a small gap between them and doors is the bike and the end coach with no windoe some distance from the doors is the wheelchair coach.