CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
"Anger at Eurostar plan to make cyclists dismantle their bikes"
(6 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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I wonder if Eurotunnel will now introduce a similar regulation forcing car owners to disassemble their vehicles and place them in boxes, the better to fit more luggage in?
No? Thought not.
Posted 9 years ago # -
How much luggage are people taking on to Eurostar? Is it a good way to go compared with budget airlines if you have many cases or use Victorian style luggage?
I know I have bored people before about the time I went to Newcastle and bike storage upon the train was in the carriage next to the driver and for twelve bikes with Sheffield style stands. Those were the days.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Those with good memories might recall the Third Railway Package, which included a fought over Passengers Rights Bill, which finally went on the EC statutes to secure a passenger's rights to take an assembled cycle with them on a train, and it might be quietly pointed out the Eurostar that in demanding bikes are dismantled, 100%, could possibly be in breach of EC railway legislation. Negotiations continue
Meantime I do note that if you have a large-ish musical instrument and are an MU member there is a fixed fee companion seat deal to let you take your instrument on board with you. It strikes me that with a number of bicycle orchestras in existence, making music with their bikes, we may have a solution of some folk. Put the dismantled bike in a bag and flashing your MU card tell the staff it is your 'instrument' and pay for the seat next to yours to put the bag on.
The other detail is that skis and snow boards remain exempt, and I'm trying to figure out how to make a bike pass as a snowboard.....
(Skis of course would be a bit more difficult and I'd be interested to see how they cope with my favourite XC set (NATO bindings 2.15m long....and traditional wood with brass screwed-on edges, and can be used wearing wellies - but not with best results....))
It was actually 2013 when the problem actually struck - counter to every other rail operation across Europe, Eurostar REDUCED the dimensions of the 2 pieces of large luggage you could bring on to the train - to a limit of 85cm in any dimension. The previous 120 x 90 cm is enough to fit a bike frame and wheels with a rigorous dismantling and so at least 300 cyclists used to get to le Tour with Eurostar by bagging up their bikes and walking on to the train - no extra 30 min to check in the bag no extra £25-£30, to pay and straight off the train on arrival for any tight connection (with no need to make an onward reservation)
As an aside - I went right through the £3 fee period in the UK with a 27" fixed wheel bike. Off came the wheels each side of the frame out popped the drops with single cable still attached and locked the wheels in place through the frame, out popped the seat and wedged between the rear stays, and the whole lot wrapped up in a large groundsheet, with a couple of webbing straps holding all in place and providing the carry-sling.
There might sensibly be some lobbying of Virgin EC and WC here to accept bikes which can be bagged to the EU limits and put into the baggage racks, or by the seat next to you on the floor (airline seating), possibly for a flat ('extra seat') fee.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I have to taske my hat off to you Tulyar for doing trips like that. I used to plan how I would go across to see the spring classics with a bike on the Rosyth/Zeebruge ferry. Had maps and guidebooks. Never did it but certainly thought about it often enough.
Posted 9 years ago #
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