Here is the letter that brian shipwright wrote.

bikes

I work at hatfield uni but i live in codicote (hitchin). I dont drive so i have to rely on a train to get me to work. i travel in the morning from welwyn north to hatfield i have to wake my mum up at 6 30 every morning to drip me off at the station and wait for her to finish work to pick me up i want to start riding to the station but it turns out i cant use my bike on the train after certian times i go 2 stops the train i get in the morning is not busy and the train i get home is not busy.So i cant ride to work and i have to get my mum up at 6 30 which i find unfair. People go on about using public transport but why would they if you cant take your bike on the train

Brian,

You can take a folding cycle on any First Capital Connect rail service, so this may be an option for you:
http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/plan-your-journey/cyclists/cycle-restrictions/

If the train you want to catch is not busy then it would be worth letting First Capital Connect know exactly which train you would like to travel on and between which two stations (was Hitchin to Hatfield?) as they may be able to relax the rule - a photo showing how full the train is may also help.

Alternatively you could approch one of the local rail user groups.

The there is mention of a Hitchin Rail User Group here:
http://www.mnhertsfoe.ukf.net/transport.htm
Hitchin Rail User Group (c/o 13 Uplands Avenue Hitchin SG4 9NH)

and a Hatfield Association of Rail Travellers
http://www.hertsdirect.org/your-community/comvol/travel2y/tvuser3y/755063
hatfieldrail@yahoogroups.com

I hope this helps and good luck with this.

Paul (FixMyTransport Volunteer)

There are plenty of young riders (and a regular oldie) getting on the trains that are 'banned' to cyclists because they fill up dramatically South of Potters Bar/Enfield.

I've done counts (sometimes I stay out at Watton) and even on the morning trains I'm getting 20% of passengers with bikes between Stevenage and Hertford. The oldie takes the train to Gordon Hill to avoid the unlit and fast lanes and then rides to Angel on 30-40mph urban streets which are all properly lit, the younger riders go to college in Hertford or Broxbourne.

Worth a) doing some passenger counts b) seeking out a cheap but decent traditional folding bike c) lobby for decent secure parking in HAT rebuilding project d) make a submission to the refranchising consultation calling for a properly integrated cycle-rail operation offering carriage or secure parking or low cost hire at your destination.

If train is near empty have a quiet word with local station staff, who generally like to make things work, or just get on - as you only go a 'few' stops HIT-SVG-KNW-WNW-WGC-HAT the chances of getting thrown off are low, and you can always play the card "OK I won't cause a delay whilst you wait to get assistance - I'll get off at Hatfield". A delay whilst they get assistance costs nearly £200/minute/train so avoiding this is essential.

FCC has a good pragmatic attitude on sensible carriage. They carry up to 20 bikes per train on some services in to Cambridge and only had to clamp down on the HIT-CBG stopping train with 242 seats, that could not be made longer than 4 coaches, as tis arrived in CBG full and standing PLUS up to 23 bikes (folding and non folding) jammed on the train

FCC also engages with local cycling groups, notably St Albans, but get in touch direct an I can offer some details.

For a folding bike say £20-£50 for a Dawes Kingpin, which can be tricked up nicely with quality wheels, brakes and gears - see Sheldon Brown writing about the Raleigh 20 - which has basically same geometry as a Bike Friday, and just needs a rather drastic upgrade.

SW Trains also tackled this issue by sorting out cordon points so that a substantial number of Hampshire commuters could continue to get to Farnborough, Woking and other major employment centres on trains which were barely filled.

SWT has also pioneered 2 other areas - secure bike parking compounds (completely turning cycle crime around at some locations) and folding bike hire.

I know some people have two bikes one for the home to station section, and another for the station to work/education section, however Dave H's suggestions are better longer term.

it still is a joke i go to the station now and i see people with kids who have bikes allowed to use the train i just dont understand. Also people with buggys whos kids are not sitting in them take up more room than a bike does they just leave them in the middle or the doorway with no care for anyone else. I have two kids myself and when they where in the buggy and i took them out on the train i folded it down. So in conclusion i have to bring my kids to work with ther bikes and then i can get on the train

Brian,

Just to repeat the advice I have earlier "If the train you want to catch is not busy then it would be worth letting First Capital Connect know exactly which train you would like to travel on and between which two stations (was it Hitchin to Hatfield?) as they may be able to relax the rule - a photo showing how full the train is may also help."

I say this because First Capital Connect have relaxed the rules (and proposed new rules) covering trains between Royston and Cambridge when it was pointed out that some of the trains they were intending to ban cycles from were not busy. Passenger counts or photos will back this up; they may know the trains are busy when they arrive in London but may not be aware of details along the route.

Dave H gives some good information in his message on 26th July.

Good luck if you choose to pursue this further

Best regards,

Paul (FixMyTransport Volunteer)