Trains, Planes and automobiles

well mainly trains....

can someone tell me the rules on taking bikes on trains in London, both over and underground?

cheers

here you go

London Underground

Folded bicycles can be taken free of charge on all sections of the network at all times.
Non-folding bicycles can be taken free of charge on some sections of the network outside peak times. Peak times are 07.30 - 09.30 and 16.00 - 19.00, Monday to Friday, except for public holidays.
In certain cases, as listed, non-folding bicycles may also be taken during rush hour in the opposite direction to the majority of travellers.
[B]Circle, District, East London, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines[/B]

On these lines non-folding bicycles are permitted on all sections outside peak times.
[B]Bakerloo Line[/B]

Non-folding bicycles may be taken between Queen's Park and Harrow & Wealdstone in the morning peak and vice versa in the evening peak, and in both directions outside peak times.
[B]Central Line[/B]

Non-folding bicycles may be taken outside peak times in either direction between: White City and West Ruislip/Ealing Broadway Leyton and Epping Newbury Park/Woodford and Hainault.
[B]Jubilee Line[/B]

Non-folding bicycles are permitted outside peak times in either direction between: Finchley Road and Stanmore Canning Town and Stratford.
[B]Northern Line[/B]

Non-folding bicycles may be taken outside peak times in either direction between: Edgware and Colindale Hendon Central and Golders Green East Finchley and High Barnet/Mill Hill East.
[B]Piccadilly Line[/B]

Non-folding bicycles are allowed outside peak times in either direction between: Barons Court and Hounslow West/Uxbridge Cockfosters and Oakwood.
[B]Victoria Line and Waterloo & City Line[/B]

Non-folding bicycles must not be taken on the Victoria Line or the Waterloo & City Line.
[B]All stations[/B]

You cannot take non-folding bicycles on moving escalators at any underground station.
London Underground publishes a map, 'Bicycles on the Underground' showing exactly where bikes can be taken. For a copy, call the 24 hour information line on 020 7222 1234 or pick one up from major tube stations.
View a map of where bicycles are allowed on the Tube (PDF 87KB)
London Buses

London Buses will take folding bicycles at the discretion of the driver. This is consistent with rules for pushchairs and other larger shopping, luggage etc.
Docklands Light Railway

Docklands Light Railway only takes folding bicycles that are completely enclosed in a container.
Tramlink

Tramlink only takes folding bicycles - no container is required, although bicyles must be fully folded.
National Rail Services

(current as of March 2005)
A free leaflet is available, entitled "Cycling by Train", listing the company policy of all train operators. Pick one up from train stations or at http://www.atob.org.uk/bike_rail.html.
For details of retailers and manufacturers contact: The Association of Cycle Traders.
Top of page

google the train company for their cycle policy and the tfl website

**A to B Magazine
****The Bike/Rail Page
****UK Bike Restrictions
Rail, Preserved Rail, Rail-link ferries & buses

**http://www.atob.org.uk/Bike_Rail.html

For overground, you can either take them on the carriage (on shorter lines), or you request a bike ticket, free of charge, which you affix to your cycle and then leave in a storage car at the front/back of the train.

flight:

BA carries your bike FOC (not counting towards your free baggage allowance)
air new zealand, FOC, 10kg more into your free baggage allowance

For overground, you can either take them on the carriage (on shorter lines), or you request a bike ticket, free of charge, which you affix to your cycle and then leave in a storage car at the front/back of the train.

absolutely do this at the same time as buying a ticket - saves a load of grief from (dare I say it) jobsworth train "managers" or whatever the hell they're called these days.

^^ yeah, recommended. Also, i didn't show my ticket to anyone when i took my bike off at either end. Saying that, they hopefully recognised me from putting the bike on in the first place, or at least put 2 and 2 together when they saw my hulking great bag with a wheel strapped to the back. Still, a clever thief could make off with your steed, so lock it against the railings, don't just strap it.

I would've thought this would be common sense but mine was the only bike locked there and back.

I've never locked mine.. roadies don't carry locks!
I do try and sit in the closest carriage to the bike area so I can watch anyone try and have my bike away. A swift death will come to those that do..

yeah, when they realise how much it cost

You should've seen L2P dude.. my bike was positively cheap!

fuck yeah!

For overground, you can either take them on the carriage (on shorter lines), or you request a bike ticket, free of charge, which you affix to your cycle and then leave in a storage car at the front/back of the train.

on which lines do you need this - I've never had any problems, just taking it on.

You don't 'need' it but it's good to have coz if the train is full.. guess who gets the spot?
The person that booked a spot of course.

on which lines do you need this

all?

Which part of "you don't need it" didn't you understand?
You don't need it on any lines.
You don't need it on all lines.
You don't need a bike reservation at all.

http://nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/cyclists.html

Well on trains say to cambridge, I've been able to have it in the carriage with me, but trains back to say newcastle require storage in the cabin which requires a ticket. However there were only 3 bikes on the way there and only mine on the way back, so i guess you could try and wangle your way on. but for longer trips, just ask for a cycle space! it's free after all and you can do it while you order your ticket (even online).

absolutely Do This At The Same Time As Buying A Ticket - Saves A Load Of Grief From (dare I Say It) Jobsworth Train "managers" Or Whatever The Hell They're Called These Days.

Knobheads

If you go to http://www.nationalrail.co.uk you will be able to check the cycle policy for any given route at any given time. (note that policy changes on some routes depending on the amount of traffic that they expect at certain times and what kind of stock they are intending to use) Policies tend to be "no unbagged non-folding bikes" at commute times, "local service - no reservations available - first come first serve only" where the train manager reserves the right to refuse carriage of bikes above the specified capacity, and reservations available and prefered.

I would also strongly recommend checking the site if you are planning to travel distance at the weekends as the route may be interrupted by bus service due to engineering works. When that happens, carriage of bikes is solely at the discretion of the coach driver as they are effectively liable for any damage to either your bike, other luggage and the bus itself caused by the bike being in the luggage compartment. Good luck if you get caught by that because armed with a right to refuse, almost all of them will.

I take a print out of the website conditions page, ready to wave in their jobsworth face if they try and stop me. Sadly I haven't had the opportunity yet.

Trains back up to London from Dorking/Guildford are always good - full of wet muddy mountain bikes & riders steaming gently in the winter.