Woking Cycle News

Woking Cycle Users' Group

Bikes on Trains

Taking your bike on a train is easy

Combining cycling with a train ride can be a very attractive alternative to travelling by car. There are cycle parking facilities at all stations in the Borough of Woking and bicycles can be taken on most South West Trains' services. Whether you park your bike at the station or take it on the train, traffic and parking problems are avoided and you can often travel door to door faster than would be possible by any other means. Taking a bike on the train can be a practical solution for many types of journey, including commuting, going to school or college, shopping and visiting friends. It can also provide a great day out for the family, perhaps cycling in the New Forest, in the downs or on the south coast.

Usually there is no need for a reservation to take your bike on trains from Woking but there are some exceptions. Cycle reservations are needed on West of England line services (to Salisbury/Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth). However, cycle reservations are free and can be booked from staffed stations. SWT recommend you make your reservation at least 24 hours in advance.

On many trains on the Waterloo - Southampton, Bournemouth and Weymouth route and on the Waterloo - Portsmouth route a maximum of five bikes per train can be carried. Unfortunately, the last refurbishment of the Wessex Electric trains on these routes reduced the space available for cycles in the guard's vans, and the new bike storage racks now provided can be a little tricky to use.

Cycles can be carried on services between Ascot, Aldershot and Guildford at any time. Also, folding bicycles that can be stowed as luggage may be carried at any time.

Newer trains have less space for bikes than there was in the guard's vans of the old "slam door" stock and, from 11 October 2004, SWT has revised its cycle policy. More restrictions now apply and cycles are now not permitted on services due to arrive in London between 0715 and 1000 and on those departing from London between 1645 and 1900 Mondays to Fridays. WCUG regrets this change from the days when cycles could be carried at peak hours providing there was enough space.

Bicycles are not allowed on Rail-Link buses or buses substituted for trains during engineering works.

For more information you can visit the South West Trains' website . If you have any comments regarding South West Trains' services, please contact:

	Customer Relations Manager South West Trains Friars Bridge Court 41 - 45 Blackfriars Road London SE1 8NZ Telephone: 0171 620 5620 Fax: 0171 620 5460

Alternatively you can send an e-mail using the South West Trains' comments form .

The Cyclemark Scheme

We believe that cyclists and train operators can be powerful allies in moving towards a sustainable transport policy for Britain and we support the Cyclemark scheme developed by Sustrans , the Cyclists' Public Affairs Group and the CTC (to which we are affiliated). The objectives of the scheme are:


1.	to improve customer satisfaction;
2.	to increase the number of customers arriving at stations by cycle;
3.	to increase the number of cycles carried on trains; and
4.	to provide a competitive alternative to the private car.

Train operators are awarded and are entitled to hold and display a Cyclemark, if they meet the requirements of the Code of Practice developed by the above bodies. In the first year since its launch, Cyclemark awards were made to Chiltern Railways, Thames Trains and LTS Rail.

Cycle Parking at Woking Station

We believe that South West Trains already meets many of the requirements of the Code of Practice.

Cycle parking facilitites are provided at all stations in the Borough of Woking. A strong cycle lock is recommended.

More secure cycle parking is available on platform 1.

Automatic Ticket Gates at Woking Station

When automatic ticket gates were introduced at Woking Station, a special wide gate was provided at both entrances for bringing bikes, etc. through.