What is the exact cycle policy?
What do we mean by folding cycle?
What type of folding cycle will we accept
Can I take my cycle on a peak-time train if I am not going as far as London or Brighton?
Can I take my cycle on a peak-time train if it is not going to London or Brighton?
I need to take my cycle on the train, as I use it to continue my journey at the other end
You have plenty of space designated for wheelchair users, Why can’t I use it for my cycle?
Are Southern responsible for my cycle if I use a station shelter with CCTV?
There isn’t anywhere for me to store my cycle at the station, so I have to take it on the train
What is the exact cycle policy?
The policy which only applies from Monday to Friday is as follows:
- Ordinary cycles are not permitted on trains travelling towards London or Brighton that are due to arrive at either destination between 07:00 and 10:00
- Also, ordinary cycles are not permitted on any train leaving London or Brighton between 16:00 and 19:00.
- We are able to carry a limited number of cycles outside of these peak times, where appropriate space is available.
- Priority will always be given to wheelchair users
What do we mean by folding cycle?
A folding cycle is one that has small wheels and folds in more than one place to become a compact item (roughly the size of a briefcase) that can be carried. These should be folded prior to entering the station and carried on to the train
What type of folding cycle will we accept?
While we intended folding cycles to be ones that can be folded more than once to be roughly the size of a briefcase, we do realise that some passengers have purchased larger cycles with a single folding point. Provided that these are folded prior to entering the station and that they can easily be carried onto the train, we are prepared to accept such cycles at present
Can I take my cycle on a peak time train if I am not going as far as London or Brighton?
No, the ban applies to the whole route, regardless of the length of your journey
Can I take my cycle on a peak time train if it is not going to London or Brighton?
Yes, if the morning train you wish to travel on is not going to either London or Brighton then you can take your cycle provided there is space on the train. The same applies in the evening if the train has not come from London or Brighton
I need to take my cycle on the train, as I use it to continue my journey at the other end
If you need to use your cycle at the other end of the journey please consider the following:
- Using a folding cycle
- Re-thinking your journey
- Travelling earlier or later to avoid peak times
- Using two cycles (and keeping one at either end)
You have plenty of space designated for wheelchair users, why can't I use it for my cycle?
Because it is needed as extra seating or standing room during busy periods if there are no wheelchairs
Are Southern responsible for my cycle if I use a station shelter with CCTV?
No, cycles are left at the owners risk, although we work to provide safe and secure cycle storage facilities
There isn't anywhere for me to store my cycle at the station, so I have to take it on the train
We are working with Local Authorities to improve cycle parking at stations, so please let us know if facilities at your station are not good enough
You may wish to consider starting your journey from another station with cycle storage facilities. You’ll find details of where they can be found on our station information posters and websites
Taking my cycle on the train to use at the other end is environmentally friendly - so Southern stopping me is environmentally unfriendly
Whilst it may not be environmentally-friendly for the individual, in the bigger scheme of things it is more environmentally-friendly to carry more people on our trains rather than them using a car
Unable to find an answer to your question? Please contact us.
