300% more bikes on Eurostar

Following an LCC campaign, working with CTC and other cycling organisations, Eurostar has seen a 300% rise in cycle carriage on its train services.

From April-August 2007 Eurostar carried 347 bikes on its trains. This figure trebled to 1377 for the same period in 2008.

April 2008 saw a change in the rules whereby passengers could reserve a place for their bike on the same train as them, rather than having to either dismantle and box up their bike or put it on a separate train.

Under the old system, some passengers had to wait up for 24 hours for their bike to arrive.

The introduction of the ‘Bikes on board’ booking scheme followed a demonstration outside St Pancras International in November 2007 by members of City Cyclists, Camden Cycling Campaign and other London Cycling Campaign groups. LCC was also working with members of CTC, the national cyclists' organisation. 

Koy Thomson, chief executive of LCC, said, “Eurostar has now shown that bicycles can be carried on all their trains. We need all rail operators to make bike carriage easy and convenient, and to provide secure cycle parking at all their stations.”

London Cycling Campaign also successfully lobbied for secure cycle parking at St Pancras International, and 50 Sheffield stands are now provided in the station car park.

LCC wants more bike parking closer to the station to enable people to use the dozens of shops in the concourse.