A sort of cyclist one

[greenlolly]

I have a folding bike because I commute to and from work on the train (1hr journey) and cycle the bits at either end. My bike goes on to the train completely folded and I store it in the luggage compartment at the end of the carriage, either at floor level if there is space, or on the middle rack if not.

Yesterday afternoon I got told by another passenger to take the bike of the luggage rack so that she could put her case there, because "it's for luggage, not bikes, luggage takes priority". There was a bit of a minor argument then I moved it, not because she was right (I know what the rules about folded bikes on trains are), but because the train was crowded, people were trying to get on and we were causing an obstruction.

So she stows her case away and grabs a seat, while I have to stand by the doors keeping a folded bike on wheels under control for an hour. The train was too crowded to get through the carriages with the bike to find somewhere else to put it until 10 min from my destination, and I couldn't be bothered at that point. I'm not fussed about the standing, I have to do that until halfway home almost every day. But standing whilst stopping the bike from rolling around and keeping it out of other peoples' way wasn't much fun.

Anyway, I think she was totally out of order, but I am interested to know what other people think.

(BTW I also drive, pay emissions tax, and try to avoid holding up cars as long as it doesn't involve putting myself in a dangerous situation, i.e. I'm not a horrible cyclist )

[ApocalypseNowt]

YANBU. And I wouldn't have moved it tbh but I can see why you did.

[happypoobum]

I wouldn't have moved.

[Afreshstartplease]

I wouldn't have moved either

I've had similar to dos on trains but pram vs bike and I always stand my ground. First on gets priority in my eyes

[dentydown]

Once it's folded it becomes luggage. (specially if you'd of put it in a bike holdall!)

[acasualobserver]

I think you should have asked if it would have been acceptable if your folded bicycle had been in a case.

[acasualobserver]

X-post with dentydown

[AdjustableWench]

I'm with you on this. It's luggage with two wheels. If there's a next time (and I hope there isn't!) you can point out to Ms Rude that she's causing an obstruction.

[carefreeeee]

YANBU. First come first served.
I've had people (who got on several stops after me) tell me to move my bike so they could put their pushchair in the bike space - it has a big sticker on it saying that the space can only be used for push chairs if there are no bikes! (I wouldn't have asked them to move if they'd got there first obviously! even though the bike would have had priority)

[Kittykatmacbill]

I don't know which train company you are with but I do know that scotrail (so an abellio company) specified there luggage racks so bromptons fit...

I think it is fair to say that a folded Brompton on a rack is the popular type of bike for a train company to transport!

[Hariasa]

I'd check with the rail company what their policy in this is so that you can be armed for next time.

Folding bikes are so cool

[tofutti]

YANBU. You should have kept your bike in the compartment and moved to a seat, so you wouldn't have caused an obstruction.

[greenlolly]

Thanks all.

If it happens again, I won't move it. In hindsight, it was causing more a problem/obstruction out of the luggage rack than her case would have been.

Kitty That's interesting, it is a Brompton and it fits so perfectly in the luggage racks that they do look like they could have been designed especially for it!

[DouglasFirs]

You are in the right - train companies class folding bikes as luggage (whereas a regular bike would have to go in a specified place on the train).