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Eurostar called on to ditch new bicycle policy Eurostar called on to ditch new bicycle dismantling policy
(about 3 hours later)
Cycling groups have called on Eurostar to ditch a new policy requiring passengers to dismantle and box-up their bikes, claiming it will deter people from taking bicycles on cross-Channel trains. Cycling groups have called on Eurostar to ditch a new policy requiring passengers to dismantle and box up their bikes, claiming it will deter people from taking bicycles on cross-Channel trains.
CTC, the UK’s largest cycling charity, said more than 2,700 people have written to Eurostar in seven hours urging it to scrap the change which will come into force on 1 November.CTC, the UK’s largest cycling charity, said more than 2,700 people have written to Eurostar in seven hours urging it to scrap the change which will come into force on 1 November.
Users can currently can hang their bikes by the front wheel in a specially designated compartment for a £30 fee under a registered luggage system. Under the new policy, bikes have to be dismantled and boxed up, and then reassembled at the other end. Users can currently hang their bikes by the front wheel in a specially designated compartment for a £30 fee as part of a registered luggage system. Under the new policy, bikes have to be dismantled and boxed up, and then reassembled at the other end.
Eurostar has already had to tweak the change after it was pointed out the initial dimensions for the bike box were too small. It subsequently said there would be no size limitation. But cycling groups are still up in arms.Eurostar has already had to tweak the change after it was pointed out the initial dimensions for the bike box were too small. It subsequently said there would be no size limitation. But cycling groups are still up in arms.
CTC, which has joined forces with cycling groups in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, say the change is more restrictive than any train operator in the UK. The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), which represents cycling bodies across Europe, described the new policy as “extremely inconvenient”. CTC, which has joined forces with cycling groups in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, say the change is more restrictive than any train operator in the UK. The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), which represents cycling bodies across Europe, described the policy as “extremely inconvenient”.
Paul Tuohy, CTC chief executive, said: “It’s hypocritical that an organisation with a history of sponsoring awards celebrating the achievements of pioneering travel initiatives could come up with such a barmy policy on cycle carriage. Cyclists should not be treated as third-class passengers and we urge Eurostar to reverse their planned policy.” Paul Tuohy, the CTC chief executive, said: “It’s hypocritical that an organisation with a history of sponsoring awards celebrating the achievements of pioneering travel initiatives could come up with such a barmy policy on cycle carriage. Cyclists should not be treated as third-class passengers and we urge Eurostar to reverse their planned policy.”
Rosemary Dooley, 68, a CTC member from Kendal, Cumbria, who recently took her assembled bike on Eurostar, said: “I have to take my own bike everywhere due to arthritis in my hands, hence small adaptations. I am also not mechanical. But it seems now that I will have to learn to remove and replace the front wheel. I just hope it doesn’t involve strong fingers like changing an inner tube.”Rosemary Dooley, 68, a CTC member from Kendal, Cumbria, who recently took her assembled bike on Eurostar, said: “I have to take my own bike everywhere due to arthritis in my hands, hence small adaptations. I am also not mechanical. But it seems now that I will have to learn to remove and replace the front wheel. I just hope it doesn’t involve strong fingers like changing an inner tube.”
Nicolas Clifford, logistics manager at cycle tour specialists Blue Marble Travel, said: “In 2015 alone, close to 100 of our clients have crossed the Channel with their cycles via Eurostar – this despite the obvious failings of a poorly designed system. If Eurostar puts its plans in place, the only realistic choice for cyclists seeking to join the type of itinerant trip we offer will be short-haul air, which makes a mockery of the company’s green mantra.”Nicolas Clifford, logistics manager at cycle tour specialists Blue Marble Travel, said: “In 2015 alone, close to 100 of our clients have crossed the Channel with their cycles via Eurostar – this despite the obvious failings of a poorly designed system. If Eurostar puts its plans in place, the only realistic choice for cyclists seeking to join the type of itinerant trip we offer will be short-haul air, which makes a mockery of the company’s green mantra.”
Eurostar said its new policy was designed to use the space on its trains more flexibly, “by carrying the same or more bikes depending on the demand from passengers”. The company also said it had to balance the needs of cyclists with those of other passengers, who increasingly want to take registered luggage.Eurostar said its new policy was designed to use the space on its trains more flexibly, “by carrying the same or more bikes depending on the demand from passengers”. The company also said it had to balance the needs of cyclists with those of other passengers, who increasingly want to take registered luggage.
“By changing our policy slightly we can continue to meet the needs of cyclists, whilst also helping other passengers with their registered luggage requirements,” said Eurostar.“By changing our policy slightly we can continue to meet the needs of cyclists, whilst also helping other passengers with their registered luggage requirements,” said Eurostar.
A spokesman said intended to press ahead with the change. Eurostar has written to concerned passengers, telling them that “our staff are trained and ready to assist with the new procedure”. A spokesman said the company intended to press ahead with the change. Eurostar has written to concerned passengers, telling them that “our staff are trained and ready to assist with the new procedure”.
But CTC warned: “We are concerned to what degree they have been trained. Only someone properly trained to reassemble a bicycle should be involved, anything else could leave them liable to a failure of duty of care.”But CTC warned: “We are concerned to what degree they have been trained. Only someone properly trained to reassemble a bicycle should be involved, anything else could leave them liable to a failure of duty of care.”