http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Bikes on buses? en Fri, 22 May 2026 02:15:48 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106713 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:32:40 +0000 Uberuce 106713@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I stashed mine on the visibility demo bus on the LB open day while Kappers circled round it and I went off to see the other exhibits, which turned out to be buses and bus-related products. </p> <p>It's a pain in the bum even when the bus is parked indefinitely and has a great big wheelchair/buggy space. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106706 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:01:51 +0000 PS 106706@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I think it's a simple case of the driver using his discretion incorrectly rather tha LB policy. </em></p> <p>Exactly. The LB conditions of carriage (like the tram's which were discussed here a few months back) are drafted sufficiently loosely to allow the driver to decide whether a bike (or any other large object) is likely to cause injury or damage to the bus/punters/putners' stuff. Sounds like the driver in the balance bike incident has overstepped the mark as I'd be surprised if a balance bike would cause injury or damage.</p> <p>I've never tried to take a full size bike on a bus, but I would imagine it would be pretty awkward. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106691 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:54:00 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 106691@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<em>... still raises issue of why LB will take tots with scooters but not balance bikes.</em>"</p> <p>I think it's a simple case of the driver using his discretion incorrectly rather tha LB policy. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106690 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:35:55 +0000 SRD 106690@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>all those points correct, but still raises issue of why LB will take tots with scooters but not balance bikes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106665 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:33:57 +0000 ARobComp 106665@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I don't see why we couldn't have racks like the ones chdot posted. Takes a few seconds to attach the bike. Perhaps you could have some sort of a lock like a locker at the pool - you fire in a 20p piece when you attach the bike - this lets you remove the key, then you show the bus driver this as you board which means that you've paid the surcharge? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106660 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:19:43 +0000 Blueth 106660@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A pal tells me that, back when there were many teams in Edinburgh, they would occasionally have altercations with the conductor when trying to take the cycle speedway bike on the bus (wheels off) - especially when the whole team wanted to board the same bus! But at least they could get on. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106656 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:58:06 +0000 chdot 106656@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Some info here -</p> <p><a href="http://ridearoundedinburgh.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/bicycles-on-buses-scheme-a-first-for-the-highlands/comment-page-1/#comment-3" rel="nofollow">http://ridearoundedinburgh.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/bicycles-on-buses-scheme-a-first-for-the-highlands/comment-page-1/#comment-3</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106653 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:39:19 +0000 Kim 106653@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have just been told that there is at least one UK bus company which takes bikes as standard: <a href="http://www.simplygo.com/all-services/lime/">Lime</a>. So it can be done here to... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106649 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:08:05 +0000 Kim 106649@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The racks on the back are used for bikes in summer (this was taken in summer <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49194391@N00/6267191478/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/49194391@N00/6267191478/</a> on a route which is particularly popular), and on the IVB buses the bikes are carried inside the bus, I will get a photo next time I go over to Absam. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106648 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:03:59 +0000 fimm 106648@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Kim, my boyfriend grew up in a village near Innsbruck - when he went to the High School equivalent in the city he would cycle down to the school but put the bike in the bus to get back - I think it is about a 200m height difference. He did cycle up too, and then he got into cycling up Alpine passes in order to descend very fast, and now he has proper thigh muscles... anyway to return to the buses, if you have storage space for bikes underneath then they can't be low access for wheelchairs and buggies. I think there might be companies that use the doofers on the back that are there for carrying skis on, when it isn't ski season. Not much demand for those here... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106647 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:57:09 +0000 Kim 106647@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In Austria there are certain bus companies, notably <a href="http://www.ivb.at/en/angebote/radoffensive/free-bike-shuttle.html?type=0%2Fcomponents%2Fer%20%3F%3F%3F%2F%2Ferrors.php%3Ferror%3D">IVB in Innsbruck</a> (<a href="http://www.kimharding.net/blog/?p=1717">also see here</a>), carry bikes as standard. We can they do it here? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106598 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:06:21 +0000 Arellcat 106598@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"Drivers may refuse to carry any item which they believe to be excessively large or likely to cause injury to anyone or damage to any property."</p> <p>"Accompanied luggage is carried at the driver’s discretion and the passenger’s risk. The Company will not be liable for any loss of, or damage to, luggage. Luggage must not be placed on any seat or cause any obstruction.</p> <p>The following items may NOT be taken onto the Company’s buses:</p> <p>b) bicycles other than folding bicycles which are folded and fully enclosed in a suitable carrying bag."</em></p> <p><a href="http://lothianbuses.com/conditions-of-carriage" rel="nofollow">http://lothianbuses.com/conditions-of-carriage</a></p> <p>An explanatory note from LB would be quite helpful.</p> <p><em>"Small animals are carried at the driver’s discretion. Guide dogs, assistance dogs and learning dogs will be carried if there is room on the bus. All dogs must be on a lead and all other animals must be secured in a suitable cage or carrying case."</em></p> <p>Muddy paws are presumably also at the driver's descretion. The rules don't say anything about muddy or snowy feet though. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106597 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:05:29 +0000 fimm 106597@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>On the other hand...<br /> (have I told this story before?)</p> <p>When my boyfriend was still commuting to Fife, he had a chain snap on him. He decided to abandon the bike, get a bus, and come back to retreive the bike later. So he got on the bus.<br /> "Where's the bike?" asked the driver (boyfriend was in cycling gear).<br /> "Chain snapped," said boyfriend.<br /> "Oh, bring it on the bus," said the driver! Apparently there was no one else on it, nor likely to be.</p> <p>(Can't remember how he got it back from Fife - I think a friendly colleague might have helped...) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106595 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:53:44 +0000 SRD 106595@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I';ve seen bus drivers do this before. not impressed. the justification for the 'in a bag' rule is that the chain might be dirty. can't apply to a balance bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106591 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:48:00 +0000 chdot 106591@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"bag'n'smuggle"</p> <p>The key thing is "bag". </p> <p>Explicitly mentioned on LB site. </p> <p>I once saw a man bag his Brompton, then bag his son's (folded) scooter. </p> <p>They all got on the bus without any bother. </p> <p>Ultimately it's up to driver. </p> <p>With balance bike I'd have waited for next bus. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106589 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:31:34 +0000 Uberuce 106589@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I understand one of the many pleasures of being a foldernaut is the ability to bag'n'smuggle your steed past such jobsworths because they don't recognise names like Brompton or Dahon.</p> <p>Neatly points out the absurdity of the rules, methinks </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9846#post-106587 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:20:52 +0000 Snowy 106587@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Meant to mention this a couple of weeks ago when it happened. My OH was in town with the kids, and the 3-year-old had a balance bike with them. They decided to take the bus home instead of walking as it had started raining, but the bus driver refused to allow the balance bike on the bus...<br /> Must admit I was surprised that 'no bikes' would apply to something small enough such that it can fit on your lap when seated. </p>