Stansted Express Bike on Train

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
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peregrino
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Joined: 4 Feb 2020, 9:42pm

Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by peregrino »

Hello,

In the site of Stansted Express what they say about Taking your bike on the train

"We only allow fully folded bicycles on Stansted Express services."

If I transport my normal bicycle in a TRAIN BAG LIGHT, do you think is possible? ( I will come from a fligth of Portugal)

Thanks

Ricardo
Jdsk
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Re: Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by Jdsk »

Recent discussion of bikes on Stansted Express:
viewtopic.php?p=1674585#p1674585

Jonathan
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mjr
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Re: Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by mjr »

Recent discussion starts at viewtopic.php?p=1667584#p1667584 for the fuller info.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
simonhill
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Location: Essex

Re: Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by simonhill »

This is the relevant page from Stansted Express.
https://www.stanstedexpress.com/onboard ... %20luggage.

It says:
"Folding bikes only
You can bring a folding bike on board, as long as it is fully folded. Unfortunately, we can’t take any other bikes on any of our services."

This is a bit ambiguous and what peregrino (the OP) is asking about. Is a packed bike luggage or a bike. Their website also say other large bulky luggage and things like skis are OK.

My guess is that a fully bagged bike will be OK. It was for me on the Stansted Express bus to Southend.
roberts8
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Joined: 20 May 2011, 9:14pm
Location: Surrey

Re: Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by roberts8 »

I got caught out with this a few years ago.
Ended up getting the stopping train to nearest station to Stanstead, had fish and chips and cycled about six miles to the airport.
No problems as I always leave masses of time and a good job I did as nobody mention not taking laden bikes on the express. I was still too early for aer lingus checking.
peregrino
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Joined: 4 Feb 2020, 9:42pm

Re: Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by peregrino »

Jdsk wrote: 27 Jun 2022, 3:35pm Recent discussion of bikes on Stansted Express:
viewtopic.php?p=1674585#p1674585

Jonathan
Thanks I found this in the forum. It´s the same I think
"If its in a box/case its no longer a bike but a box or case."
peregrino
Posts: 31
Joined: 4 Feb 2020, 9:42pm

Re: Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by peregrino »

simonhill wrote: 27 Jun 2022, 6:37pm This is the relevant page from Stansted Express.
https://www.stanstedexpress.com/onboard ... %20luggage.

It says:
"Folding bikes only
You can bring a folding bike on board, as long as it is fully folded. Unfortunately, we can’t take any other bikes on any of our services."

This is a bit ambiguous and what peregrino (the OP) is asking about. Is a packed bike luggage or a bike. Their website also say other large bulky luggage and things like skis are OK.

My guess is that a fully bagged bike will be OK. It was for me on the Stansted Express bus to Southend.
Thanks I found this in the forum. It´s the same I think
"If its in a box/case its no longer a bike but a box or case."
Jdsk
Posts: 24630
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by Jdsk »

peregrino wrote: 28 Jun 2022, 9:30am
simonhill wrote: 27 Jun 2022, 6:37pm This is the relevant page from Stansted Express.
https://www.stanstedexpress.com/onboard ... %20luggage.

It says:
"Folding bikes only
You can bring a folding bike on board, as long as it is fully folded. Unfortunately, we can’t take any other bikes on any of our services."

This is a bit ambiguous and what peregrino (the OP) is asking about. Is a packed bike luggage or a bike. Their website also say other large bulky luggage and things like skis are OK.

My guess is that a fully bagged bike will be OK. It was for me on the Stansted Express bus to Southend.
Thanks I found this in the forum. It´s the same I think
"If its in a box/case its no longer a bike but a box or case."
I don't think that there's an official answer to be found, and there should be. I'd expect a successful journey with a bike in a bag or a box, but that's guesswork rather than stated anywhere.

Jonathan
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mjr
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Location: Norfolk or Somerset, mostly
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Re: Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by mjr »

The closest to an official answer are things like https://twitter.com/Stansted_Exp/status ... 8874567681 which is a reply saying it's OK to take a particular boxed bike on the train.

I believe it is also possible to take a ready-to-ride bike on a Norwich service from the airport (6 bikes allowed in space marked by green stripe above the door, no reservations possible) and change to a London commuter service (I believe officially 4 bikes per 5 coaches in the green stripe area on the new trains, but it's very very rare there is any crew to stop you standing with a bike in another doorway area like the only option on any older trains still used) at the first stop (Audley End), but it's one departure an hour with the journey taking 90 minutes, compared to 2 or 3 Expresses an hour taking 50 minutes. Same price and ticket though, as far as I can tell. Or you can ride 5 miles to Stansted village and take care to catch a 52-minute commuter service (5 or 10 coaches) not the Express (12 coaches) and save a pound.

The train company did say I'd get feedback about this, so I've chased them up. It is nothing short of bizarre to have bought trains with 18 bike spaces for the Express and not lift the ban. I expect the full-time campaigners at CamCycle are probably also pressing them on this.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
simonhill
Posts: 5226
Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 11:28am
Location: Essex

Re: Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by simonhill »

Here is a link to the Train Bag Light.
https://www.buds-sports.com/produit/bic ... t/?lang=en

I don't think you will have any problems. It's not that big and doesn't say there is a bike inside.

If still in doubt giving us your planned route or destination will help.
peregrino
Posts: 31
Joined: 4 Feb 2020, 9:42pm

Re: Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by peregrino »

simonhill wrote: 28 Jun 2022, 1:30pm Here is a link to the Train Bag Light.
https://www.buds-sports.com/produit/bic ... t/?lang=en

I don't think you will have any problems. It's not that big and doesn't say there is a bike inside.

If still in doubt giving us your planned route or destination will help.
Thanks,

I will do the GB Divide that is on bikepacking site
peregrino
Posts: 31
Joined: 4 Feb 2020, 9:42pm

Re: Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by peregrino »

mjr wrote: 28 Jun 2022, 11:05am The closest to an official answer are things like https://twitter.com/Stansted_Exp/status ... 8874567681 which is a reply saying it's OK to take a particular boxed bike on the train.

I believe it is also possible to take a ready-to-ride bike on a Norwich service from the airport (6 bikes allowed in space marked by green stripe above the door, no reservations possible) and change to a London commuter service (I believe officially 4 bikes per 5 coaches in the green stripe area on the new trains, but it's very very rare there is any crew to stop you standing with a bike in another doorway area like the only option on any older trains still used) at the first stop (Audley End), but it's one departure an hour with the journey taking 90 minutes, compared to 2 or 3 Expresses an hour taking 50 minutes. Same price and ticket though, as far as I can tell. Or you can ride 5 miles to Stansted village and take care to catch a 52-minute commuter service (5 or 10 coaches) not the Express (12 coaches) and save a pound.

The train company did say I'd get feedback about this, so I've chased them up. It is nothing short of bizarre to have bought trains with 18 bike spaces for the Express and not lift the ban. I expect the full-time campaigners at CamCycle are probably also pressing them on this.
Thanks, nice tip
peregrino
Posts: 31
Joined: 4 Feb 2020, 9:42pm

Re: Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by peregrino »

Jdsk wrote: 28 Jun 2022, 9:38am
peregrino wrote: 28 Jun 2022, 9:30am
simonhill wrote: 27 Jun 2022, 6:37pm This is the relevant page from Stansted Express.
https://www.stanstedexpress.com/onboard ... %20luggage.

It says:
"Folding bikes only
You can bring a folding bike on board, as long as it is fully folded. Unfortunately, we can’t take any other bikes on any of our services."

This is a bit ambiguous and what peregrino (the OP) is asking about. Is a packed bike luggage or a bike. Their website also say other large bulky luggage and things like skis are OK.

My guess is that a fully bagged bike will be OK. It was for me on the Stansted Express bus to Southend.
Thanks I found this in the forum. It´s the same I think
"If its in a box/case its no longer a bike but a box or case."
I don't think that there's an official answer to be found, and there should be. I'd expect a successful journey with a bike in a bag or a box, but that's guesswork rather than stated anywhere.

Jonathan
Thanks for all your help,

I agree, but I think is possible
Jdsk
Posts: 24630
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Stansted Express Bike on Train

Post by Jdsk »

peregrino wrote: 29 Jun 2022, 1:27pm
Jdsk wrote: 28 Jun 2022, 9:38am
peregrino wrote: 28 Jun 2022, 9:30am Thanks I found this in the forum. It´s the same I think
"If its in a box/case its no longer a bike but a box or case."
I don't think that there's an official answer to be found, and there should be. I'd expect a successful journey with a bike in a bag or a box, but that's guesswork rather than stated anywhere.
Thanks for all your help,

I agree, but I think is possible
Yes, the best we have is now:
mjr wrote: 28 Jun 2022, 11:05am The closest to an official answer are things like https://twitter.com/Stansted_Exp/status ... 8874567681 which is a reply saying it's OK to take a particular boxed bike on the train.
Jonathan
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