Bike on the tube

i've been told you can't take them into deep access stations.

It's to do with the shape of the tunnels. This is their reasoning, not mine:-

Deep underground tunnels are oval shaped close to profile of the train. In an emergency you walk to the either end of the train to get off it. Bikes aren't allowed on these sections because they could get in the way of people walking down the length of the train.

On the not-so-deep underground or overground sections the emergency exit route is through the normal doors onto the tracks, bikes won't get in the way of people in the same way.

Interesting stuff. I had always assumed that it was to do with steps vs escalators.

You live and learn.

Excellent username for asking this question.

Epping to Harlow (where you can get a mainline train into London) is about 3 miles.

The station's on the other side of Harlow, though. That must add a few miles.

Escalators!?!

On Sunday I took my folding bike on the central line at shepherds bush (folded it to get past the station staff). Once on the platform I unfolded it because using the wheels is a lot easier than carrying... When a train came, I boarded, and the driver over the tannoy told me to get off cos I had a bike. Wanker. Anyway, live and learn about that. The next train was no problem, I just boarded with the bike folded.

When I got off at Notting Hill, I took the bike up the escalator, unfolded (much easier than carrying the damn thing folded). However, by the look of the woman at the top, unfolded bikes are the cause of instantaneous heart failure and cataclysmic explosions.

On to my point and reason for posting:
Apparently unfolded bikes are banned on many sections of the tube due to escalators "we don't have insurance for you to take bikes on them". Who knew.

And I just realised something. This means there is not a single escalator on the Circle or Hammersmith+City line! Ever seen one?

You had a bike, yet you got the tube from Sheperds Bush to Notting hill gate?
Come on, it's not that bad a hill!

There's a hill there?

............ health and saftey probably

The suit case thing does piss me off. That there is no restriction whatsoever on suitcases in rush hour. There really should be.

I was accompanying a friend back to Notting hill gate. Irony of the folder is, I can carry it unfolded more easily than when it's folded.

I can take a fuckoff 52" flat screen that would be an issue in an emergency. I see sometimes see Nigerians on the way to the airport via the underground...You need to know the amount shit they/we travel with. Sense it no makes.

I used the tube all the time while I had a BMX (and even sometimes with the track bike if there was a mechanical). The trick is to remove the front wheel. I pointed out that I was no longer pushing a bike but carrying two seperate bits of lugage or 'bike parts' wich arnt covered by the no bike rule. Worked every time.

There's a hill there?

its more of an incline,

on the other hand, if theres an escalator at the station from the platform to the ticket area you are not allowed a non foldable bike there

I was accompanying a friend back to Notting hill gate. Irony of the folder is, I can carry it unfolded more easily than when it's folded.

If it's a Brompton, just unfold the handlebar only and pull it like you would a wheeled luggage.

When it's lashing it down, I take my racer on the H&C from Wood Lane to Liverpool Street. I occasionally get people making comments about it.

AFAIK you can take any bike on the tube when its nor peak/commuting hours?

Not on certain line, no (i.e. those with escalator).

I used the tube all the time while I had a BMX (and even sometimes with the track bike if there was a mechanical). The trick is to remove the front wheel. I pointed out that I was no longer pushing a bike but carrying two seperate bits of lugage or 'bike parts' wich arnt covered by the no bike rule. Worked every time.

i've done this, too - although i think i might have had to take the back wheel off, too: then it definitely wasn't a bike! (and, i didn't get bothered by anyone...)

AFAIK you can take any bike on the tube when its nor peak/commuting hours?

I've been told I cant take a bike on the Central line because of deep tunnels....I assume because of escaping in an emergency??? If its that much of emergency, I'll leave the bloody bike behind!

http://files.meetup.com/1628963/tube-map-bicycles1b.pdf

Pretty much answers all questions. Bikes can only be taken on lines that are not deep tunnel.

I've been told I cant take a bike on the Central line because of deep tunnels....I assume because of escaping in an emergency??? If its that much of emergency, I'll leave the bloody bike behind!

Any station with escalator to be precise, that's the main problem.

You can take a bike on the Central Line providing you're getting off at a surface or sub-surface station.

http://files.meetup.com/1628963/tube-map-bicycles1b.pdf

Pretty much answers all questions. Bikes can only be taken on lines that are not deep tunnel.

This has actually been a question I have asked numerous station staff and the map is not accurate because according to the map I cannot take the bike on any of the Jubilee line. But I have done so numerous times and have clearly asked station staff if I am allowed. As others have said, I have been told you are not allowed to take the bike off at stations where there is only escalator access.

So according to that, if there are stairs and it is not peak time you are in the clear. It doesn't seem as black and white as it should be though. And I may try the removal of the front wheel and taking the bike as "luggage" to see how that goes, it sounds like a good idea.

And I may try the removal of the front wheel and taking the bike as "luggage" to see how that goes, it sounds like a good idea.

I had a puncture a while ago late at night, and still 10 miles from home, all I did was removed front wheel, rotated handlebar, lower saddle, and put them in a black bin liner, they're perfectly happy with me bringing it in that configuration as it's in a similar shape as a large luggage or flat screen television.

In hindsight, I probably don't need to use the bin liner.

Hi.

Sorry for bringing an oldish thread up.

I am coming to London on Tuesday, need to get to Pontoon Dock by 4pm, my train will be at Kings Cross by 15:10.

I know I can't take my bicycle on the DLR so will have to walk from Canning Town.

I've established that to get from Kings Cross to Canning Town I need to get the H'Smith & City line to West Ham, then get the Jubilee Line from West Ham to Canning Town.

I'm taking a road bike on the tube and will have a backpack and a large bag, will I be able to safely get on that Kings Cross St Pancreas & West Ham stations?

Thanks.

not sure you can take a road bike on the tube at all

BUT, you can get a cross train from kings cross (st prancras) to stratford... it takes 7 minutes and is a regular train so you should be able to take your bike and your stuff on there...

that'll least get you out to east without having to go on the tube

then it's not too far from stratford to canning town (two stops on the jubilee) - even if you didnt have your bike this would be the much much quickest way to do your journey

Yeah you should be ok. The TfL website shows you which lines you can take your bike on, as long as it's off peek you should be ok.