Cycle transport: train, car, bus..?

[Jon Lucas]

This poll would be more interesting if it subdivided between folding bikes and others. I ride a Brompton as my daily bike, so use trains for all longer distance journeys, and if necessary will also take it on a bus. I don't have a car and have no need or desire for one.

I suspect the majority of those who have ticked train are fellow folding bikers, but it would be useful to know how many are not. And how many folding bikers would revert to using a non-folder if carriage by train was easier.

[Cyril Haearn]

This poll would be more interesting if it subdivided between folding bikes and others. I ride a Brompton as my daily bike, so use trains for all longer distance journeys, and if necessary will also take it on a bus. I don't have a car and have no need or desire for one.

I suspect the majority of those who have ticked train are fellow folding bikers, but it would be useful to know how many are not. And how many folding bikers would revert to using a non-folder if carriage by train was easier.

Thanks for the info
I did wonder exactly what choices to offer
Can't modify the poll now because all votes cast would be lost

[Vorpal]

This poll would be more interesting if it subdivided between folding bikes and others. I ride a Brompton as my daily bike, so use trains for all longer distance journeys, and if necessary will also take it on a bus. I don't have a car and have no need or desire for one.

I suspect the majority of those who have ticked train are fellow folding bikers, but it would be useful to know how many are not. And how many folding bikers would revert to using a non-folder if carriage by train was easier.

Thanks for the info
I did wonder exactly what choices to offer
Can't modify the poll now because all votes cast would be lost

Can't you add a category without losing the votes?

I have to admit I haven't tried it, but I thought that you could

edited: nope. I copied this to the test board and tried it & you're right, it can't be changed.

[Cyril Haearn]

I should have thought a bit more maybe but it does get complicated, if one takes a bike in a car on a ferry
Besides, I suspect those who drive-cycle a lot are reluctant to post, confirmation bias?
I do try to think about the answers carefully in the hope of discovering The Truth

I could have more interesting rides if I took my bike by car, but I choose not to

[Vorpal]

I mostly take my full sized bike on the train. I live in Norway, where I have to pay for the privilege, but It's handy to be able to take it with. If I'm going someplace wihtin easy walking distance of a train station, I don't take my bike on the train, but otherwise I do.

I also use the train to get to, or return from rides that would otherwise be too long for a day trip, or when I'm tired.

I've done the same in the UK on First/ Greater Anglia and C2C trains.

[feefee8]

I mostly cycle commute. I forgot that part of that commute is on a ferry, which shortens the commute by about 10 miles each way

[flat tyre]

Mostly ride the bike. I join a club ride once or twice a week that usually starts about 13 miles from home, but a couple of times when the weather's been icy along the roads to the start I've taken the train. I've used a ferry 5 times so far this year (south coast river crossings and IOW) - the poll doesn't allow multiple responses. Came home from a ride yesterday that I used the train to get to and from the start of and I have to say that anecdotally there were more bikes on the trains than officially available spaces (only 2 available on one train and 4 on the other).

[Armorel]

I like taking my bike by train and - fingers crossed - haven't yet had any problems. Taking the bike by train to somewhere roughly a day's ride away doubles the radius of the area I can explore from home (e.g. I can take the train for 60 miles and cycle home rather than doing 30 miles out from home and 30 back). Since I live in the centre of a city, it also reduces the time spent slogging out of the city to get to the country lanes. So I'm all of favour of bikes on trains.

[mjr]

I don't have a car and where I can't cycle because of distance I use the train. Taking a bike on the train isn't the ordeal some on here make it out to be. Book in good time (a couple of months but no more than 12 weeks ahead as services can change). It's usually easier to book at a station rather than online as staff can book tickets, bike and seats at the same time.

Can't book on trains in East Anglia except for the Norwich-Ipswich-London line and the only trains with half-decent bike provision are Thameslink (2 or 3 big bike bays per train with seatbelt-style Velcro-ended straps) which don't come as far north as originally announced. The Networker trains where you could fit two bikes neatly in the unused-side doorways have been refitted or replaced with ones (Electrostars) with narrower doorways that prevent this.

Then there are time restrictions through Cambridge and London that force you onto certain trains on the other side which have tiny bike spaces then overcrowded with bikes.

Maybe not an ordeal but far more complicated than it ought to be.

[Cyril Haearn]

Having to book a place on a train is a big minus

Left my bike at the station yesterday, went on a train trip
Sometimes nearly all the Sheffield stands are occupied
Fortunately there is an under-used under-ground car park nearby, the politrickians are talking about turning it into cycle parking

[pwa]

Put simply, the trains don't seem to go where I want to go, for example Hay on Wye a few days ago, and I now hate using trains anyway. I'd rather not go at all if train is the way I have to get somewhere. So if I need the bike and can't just cycle there, it goes in the boot of the car.

[Marcus Aurelius]

I always used to only ride my bike, if it was a U.K. based thing I was doing. I’ve recently taken to using a train to get to event’s bases though. Sometimes with the bike assembled, and using on train bike racks, and sometimes with the bike bagged / boxed and unassembled. I’m in London for the ride London tomorrow, and this time I took the bike to bits and boxes it for the train journey, then reassembled it in the hotel. It’s proven to be a good idea so far.

[softlips]

Recently bought a Brompton for when in London or Edinburgh which I take by train. Take my road bike too for the Prudential Ride London. Also use the campervan or cargo transport it when doing sportives.

I answered train as that’s the method used most.

[Cyril Haearn]

Train is winning, Plus One, only cycling is favourite mind, I am lucky I only cycle