The Department has formally adopted as its own policy the Strategic Rail Authority cycling policy document published in November 2004. It expects all train operating companies to accommodate the carriage of non folding bicycles whenever possible, while recognising that in peak periods there may be circumstances where it is in the best interests of the majority of passengers not to do so.
We believe that TOCs are best placed to know where and when such pressure on capacity exists and should be free to impose restrictions accordingly. TOCs should also specify the services that they define as peak. The carriage of folding bikes is recommended at all times.
The Department has asked Cycling England, its advisory body on cycling, to report on how further improvements to integrate bike and rail journeys might be made.