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Wheels come off Metro bikes bid
Saddle sore point ... cyclists are still not allowed to take their bikes on board Metro trains.
A BIKE ban is to remain on the Metro, transport bosses have confirmed.
Cyclists had been hoping for a trial period on the system, where bikes would be allowed on carriages during off-peak hours.
But they’ve been left deflated by a refusal to change current policy, which lets people bring folding bikes onto Metro trains but not fixed-wheelers.
The trial idea was suggested by members of the Newcastle Cycling Campaign during their latest meeting with Metro officials.
The group say they have received support from councillors, Friends of the Earth and the Tyne and Wear Public Transport Users Group. Cyclist Claire Prospert said: “We want to see a trial outside peak hours, involving a small number of Metro stations.
“We know that the Metro’s operator DB Regio runs light rail systems in Germany that carry bikes.”
But Huw Lewis, head of communications for Nexus, which run the system, said most passengers were still against the idea of bikes being allowed on trains – although they are looking at ways of improving bike storage at stations to help cyclists using the Metro.
He added: “Cyclists are free to travel on Metro with folded bikes, and while there are good reasons why full-size bikes are not allowed on what is a very busy train system with deep underground stations, that’s not the end of the story.
“We are about to trial new larger and more secure storage at two stations, while bidding in partnership with local councils and Sustrans for Government funding to pay for a much wider improvement of facilities.
“I don’t think a limited trial allowing all bikes on part of Metro at certain times of day is a good idea right now, but it may come out of the work of the group,
“The last research we did with passengers showed a clear majority against the idea.”
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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Comments
There are 4 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
rochester kent
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 01:17 PMthe metro is far too small for bikes and i wouldn't want to risk my clothes getting oil on them or torn off of the pedals. Joanne it wouldnt bring more money into the system because if a carraige has a lot of bikes on less people can get on. mind you prams aren't allowed on but nexus seem to turn a blind eye to this.
East Boldon Lad
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 03:50 PMNo problem with sensible, responsible bicyclists like joanne using the Metro. Problem is that the reckless, nuisance making chavwheelers would soon make both Metro platforms and carriages potentially dangerous places with their mindless antics.
DazW
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 03:46 PMThe Metros are also not luggage friendly. If you have bags or luggage there is absolutley no where to put them without blocking a seat.
joannemc79
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 01:48 PMwhy carnt the metros make the back carriage for bikes only. in the summer it would be nice to take my children down to the beach on there bikes but i dont drive so i am stuck and limited on where we can go on there bikes if the metros changed this and let people on with there bikes it would let people travel about more and probably bring more money to the system, and it would probably get more people active by leaving there cars at home and getting children more active.
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