Cycling by train A guide to using our services and facilities
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Cycling by train
A guide to using our
services and facilities
From May 2013
www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk
Welcome Reservations
Welcome to the First Great Western guide to cycling by train, the purpose of Reservations can be made on all high speed services between London and
which is to explain our policy regarding the parking of bikes at our stations and the following areas:
the carriage of them on our trains.
Whilst we have ample parking space for bikes at the vast majority of our stations,
space on our trains for them is more limited. Bristol Cheltenham Spa Devon & Cornwall
This guide should help you plan your journey so that it is as convenient and Oxford South Wales Worcester & Hereford
enjoyable for you as possible.
They can also be made on services between Cardiff Central,
Cycle storage at stations
Bristol Temple Meads and the South Coast of England.
Most of our stations have dedicated cycle storage facilities and larger stations
benefit from sheltered and CCTV-monitored areas.
Reservations are available to holders of valid rail tickets only and can be made
When leaving your bike at the station please ensure you take all of the removable through our website at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk, by visiting your nearest
items, such as lights, computer and panniers, with you and lock your bike staffed station or by calling 08457 000 125 between 0700-2200.
securely.
If you leave your panniers on your bike then we reserve the right to search these
There is no charge for reserving for your bike and you should try to do so as
in the interests of security.
early as possible, though they can be made up to one hour before the departure
Some stations have bike lockers and we reserve the right to periodically search of your train – subject to space being available.
these too.
We undertake regular audits of our cycle storage facilities and will identify and
If you reserve by telephone then your tickets can be posted to you or you can
remove any bikes that have been abandoned.
collect them from your nearest staffed station.
We cannot be held responsible for the theft of your bike or the loss of any items
taken from it.
Travelling without a reservation
Spaces which have not been reserved will be allocated on a first-come first-
Planning your journey served basis and this policy also applies to space on train services where
reservations in advance are not available.
Plan ahead to ensure you can take your bike on your preferred service.
In the event of train cancellations or severe delays of one hour or longer, you
See the ‘Types of trains and restrictions’ section for details or speak to a member
will be entitled to travel on an alternative service – subject to space being
of staff.
available.
Make a reservation if it is possible to do so. These are made on a first-come
Please retain all documentation as proof of any reservations you have made.
first-served basis until all space is full.
In accordance with the National Conditions of Carriage, our staff have the right
Check whether there is any rail improvement work taking place which will affect
to refuse an unreserved bike if there is not enough space to carry it safely.
your journey as conventional cycles cannot be conveyed on rail replacement
bus services.
At the station
If you are travelling with your bike please arrive at the station in good time.
You may have to use ticket gates, a footbridge or a lift and the station may also
be very busy.
We recommend you are in position on the platform at least five minutes before
your train is due to depart.
Please turn off your lights when on the station premises - an unidentified bright
light could interfere with the safe running of our trains.
Cycling is not permitted anywhere on the station. In the interests of safety List of stations with short platforms:
please walk with your bike at all times.
Ashchurch for Ivybridge Shipton
Tewkesbury
Bedwyn Kemble Slough
Bodmin Parkway Keynsham St Austell
Bradford-on-Avon Kidwelly St Erth
Bridgwater Kingham St Germans
Camborne Kintbury Starcross
Castle Cary Ledbury Stonehouse
Charlbury Liskeard Stroud
Cholsey Llanelli Teignmouth
Colwall Lostwithiel Tenby
If there are ticket gates then you should use the wide staff-operated gate.
Dawlish Maidenhead Thatcham
Dawlish Warren Malvern Link Theale
Boarding the train
Devonport Manorbier Tilehurst
Please advise station staff that you intend to board with your bike. Evesham Moreton-in-Marsh Torre
Our staff will advise you where you should stand in order to ensure your bike Exeter St Thomas Nailsea & Backwell Totnes
is loaded correctly and safely onto your train.
Ferryside Pangbourne Trowbridge
At unstaffed stations, blue signs on platforms indicate the usual position of the
Filton Abbey Wood Par Truro
cycle storage facility on-board our high speed trains.
Frome Pembrey & Burry Port Twyford
At unstaffed stations the Train Manager or Conductor will help direct you to the
appropriate place when the train arrives. Goring & Streatley Pembroke Westbury
Great Malvern Pembroke Dock Weston Milton
Stations with short platforms Hanborough Pershore Whitland
Hayle Pewsey Worcester Foregate Street
Some stations have short platforms and it may not be possible to access the
designated cycle storage area when the train is in the station. Highbridge Redruth Worle
Honeybourne Saltash Yatton
If you intend to leave the train at any of these stations then please inform the Hungerford Saundersfoot
Train Manager who will give you the opportunity to move your bike to another
part of the train before arrival.
If you wish to board at any of these stations then you should load your bike into
the coach vestibule and then locate the Train Manager who will give you the
opportunity to move your bike to the designated area when suitable to do so.On the train High speed trains
Bikes must only be stored in the designated areas which are marked by a blue
circle bearing a white bike. (Not applicable to our Turbo fleet of trains)
High Speed Train
Cycle Loading Point
Bikes left in doorways or which are causing other obstructions will be moved Capacity: 6 bikes
to the correct area of the train.
Storage: In the power car, next to coach A.
You should secure your bike to prevent it from falling over but you must not
Reservations: Possible
lock it to any part of the train.
You should ensure you take all of the removable items, such as lights, computer
and panniers, with you as we cannot be held responsible for their loss or Travelling to London Paddington
damage. (excludes services originating at Frome or Westbury)
Inform the Train Manager or Conductor of your final destination so that they Reservations are compulsory on all high speed trains services arriving in
can ensure you are able to leave the train safely. London Paddington between 0700-1000 inclusive
In the event that you are not prepared to leave at your station then we retain
the right to continue the journey without removing your bike so as not to incur
Travelling from London Paddington
delays.
(excludes services terminating at Westbury or Frome)
Reservations are compulsory on all high speed trains services departing
Types of trains and restrictions London Paddington between 1500-1900 inclusive.
Due to the high level of demand on many of our services it is necessary to
apply some restrictions to ensure the safety and comfort of all customers. Travelling to London Paddington on services originating at Frome or
Westbury
Note that peak-time restrictions only apply on Mondays to Fridays and exclude Reservations are compulsory on all high speed trains services.
Bank Holidays. In addition, on services arriving in London Paddington between 0745-0945
inclusive cycles may only be loaded or unloaded at Newbury, Reading and
London Paddington
Travelling from London Paddington on services terminating at Westbury
or Frome
Reservations are compulsory on all high speed trains services.
In addition, on services departing London Paddington between 1630-1900
inclusive cycles may only be loaded or unloaded at London Paddington,
Reading and Newbury.Local services in the Reading area – Turbo trains (Class 165/166) Local services between London Paddington and Oxford
Turbo Trains (class 165/166) - see previous page for information on this class.
Services operated by class 180
Capacity: 2 bikes
Storage: Inside passenger saloon.
Reservations: It is not possible to reserve bikes on these trains. Capacity: 6 bikes – 3 at each end of the train
Storage: At end of the train, between passenger saloon and driving cab
Travelling to London Paddington Reservations: Possible
You may not take your bike on any service timed to arrive at London Paddington
between 0745-0945 We are unable to carry conventional bikes on the following trains on this route:
Travelling from London Paddington From London Paddington
You may not take your bike on any service timed to depart from 1718 to Oxford
London Paddington between 1630-1900
1736 to Oxford
1725 to Banbury
Travelling from Wokingham to Reading
1815 to Oxford
You may not take your bike on any service timed to arrive at Reading between
1818 to Oxford
0745-0945
1825 to Oxford
Travelling from Reading to Wokingham
To London Paddington
You may not take your bike on any service timed to depart from Reading
between 1630-1900 0607 from Banbury
0700 from Oxford
0721 from Oxford
0728 from Banbury
Other services operated by class 180
We are unable to carry conventional bikes on the 0609 Newbury to
London Paddington serviceLocal services in the west – (Class 143, 150, 153 and 158) Other types of bikes or vehicles
Folding bikes, with a maximum wheel size of 18 inches in diameter, are permitted
on any service on any day.
Please fold your bike down and store it in the luggage rack.
Folding bikes with bigger wheels than specified above are treated as
conventional bikes on First Great Western.
Tandems can only be carried on high speed trains.
Due to the limited amount of space at our disposal and in the interests of safety,
we are unable to carry any of the following:
• Non-folding tricycles
Capacity: 2 bikes
• Other three-wheeled vehicles
Storage: Inside passenger saloon.
• ‘Rann’ type trailers
Look for cycle storage icon on the side of the train
• Motorcycles
Reservations: Possible on some services between Cardiff and Portsmouth and
between Bristol Temple Meads and Penzance • Mopeds
• Motorised cycles
• Scooters
Weekends and Bank Holidays
Bikes are accepted on all trains at weekends and on bank Holidays, subject to Brompton Dock
the normal capacity restrictions.
A scheme is in place at Bristol Temple Meads, Exeter St Davids and Oxford
Reservations are not compulsory on these days but we recommend you make stations, with more locations coming online in the future, which provides
them if it is possible to do so in order to avoid disappointment. members with 24-hour access to a Brompton folding bike.
Folding bikes can be taken on trains and other forms of public transport, even
Rail improvement work and rail replacement buses during peak times and these bikes can also be stored at home easily, in the
office or folded in to the boot of a car.
From time to time, particularly at weekends, it is necessary to carry out rail
improvement work or maintenance to the railway infrastructure. Available on both short and long term hire, the bikes aim to suit everyone’s
needs and provide a flexible, practical and fun approach to travelling with a
In the event that trains are replaced by buses conventional or non-folding bikes
bike.
cannot be conveyed.
To take advantage of this scheme you first must register online at
www.bromptondock.co.uk and then you can use text messages to hire or
return a bike, reserve a bike or empty bay in advance or report a fault.
Bike repair
Facilities are available at Bristol Temple Meads and Oxford stations where you
can leave your bike with qualified bicycle mechanics that will carry out repairs
or maintenance. Ask a member of staff for details.
Feedback
We hope you have found this guide useful and informative.
Please contact our Customer Services Team, details of which can be found on
the rear cover, if you have any comments about this or any other of our products
or services.For more information
First Great Western
For tickets, information, real-time updates and offers visit:
www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk
or call us on 08457 000 125* (Open between 0700-2200 daily)
Like us on
facebook.com/firstgreatwestern
Follow us @FGW
to keep up to date with real-time updates
Text† ‘FGW’ to 86688 to download our app
to purchase tickets & to check live train times
*Standard network charges apply. Calls from mobiles may be higher.
†Standard text message charges apply.
Don’t miss out on all the latest offers, special deals and news
from First Great Western. Register your email address now at
www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/enews
National Rail Enquiries
www.nationalrail.co.uk
08457 48 49 50
For train times and fares
Daily, 24 hours, calls may be recorded
Correct at time of print (May 2013)
Cycling groups
CTC
The national body for all cyclists
www.ctc.org.uk
0844 736 8450
Sustrans
The sustainable charity working to promote walking,
cycling and public transport use
www.sustrans.org.uk
0845 113 0065
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