Irish Rail defends peak-time bike ban on Cork commuter lines

Warning signs go up — even as Bike Week events all over the country promote cycling as a commuting option

Passengers arriving at Kent Station in Cork on the increasingly busy Cobh and Midleton lines cannot bring bikes at peak commuter times. Picture: Larry Cummins

Irish Rail has defended its peak-time ban on bikes on commuter rail services following the appearance of new warning signs on the Cork routes.

It comes as  hundreds of Bike Week events are taking place all over the country in conjunction with local authorities in a bid to promote cycling as a commuting option.

However, Cork commuters on the Cobh to Midleton service have raised concerns following the appearance of posters in carriages advising rail users that bikes are not permitted on board during key commuting hours.

The signs rule out bike use before 10am, and between 4pm and 7pm, Monday to Friday.

The company told the Irish Examiner the posters are a reminder of a long-standing policy, in place since 2011 when bikes were first permitted on Dart and commuter services in cities across the country.

A spokesman said that there was probably a level of “opportunistic travel with bikes” at peak times during the covid-19 pandemic when there was a lot more space available for bikes in train carriages.

“But we are at record demand now on Cork commuter routes,” said the spokesman.

Cork Cycling Campaign said the bike ban 'essentially eliminates the possibility of mixed-mode commuting by bike, which is highly regrettable'. Picture: Larry Cummins

“With the very heavy demand at peak times when standing capacity is needed, bicycles actually result in reducing capacity for people to take public transport and there are also safety concerns in terms of where they’re positioned and safe exit, and evacuation in emergency situations.

“So the posters are simply to remind customers of the longstanding policy, and not a new policy.”

However, he said that bikes are permitted on board outside of peak times, that fold-up bikes are permitted on trains at all times, and that a public bike scheme is available at Cork’s Kent train station.

“We are the only major public transport operator in the country that facilitates bikes on all its vehicles, and we are also, in our station investments, incorporating enhanced bicycle parking facilities.

“The TFI [Transport for Ireland] Bikes scheme also has an extensive facility at Kent Station, so at peak times there are extensive options for those who wish to cycle at either end of their rail journey, and at off-peak, bikes can be carried on all commuter services.

“In terms of future trains, our new electric/battery-electric trains are designed with enhanced dedicated bike spaces, and in the future we would envisage, subject to investment in the necessary infrastructure, that these would operate on the Cork network,” said the Irish Rail spokesman.

Cork Cycling Campaign said the policy should be reviewed.

“This essentially eliminates the possibility of mixed-mode commuting by bike, which is highly regrettable,” said spokesman Kjeld van den Heuvel.

“Observing this rule at Cork train station feels like a step backwards and deserves re-evaluation for our metropolitan area.”

Meanwhile, in the Cork area alone, more than 300 Bike Week events are set to take place over the next seven days to promote bike use.

• Click the following links for more details about Bike Week nationally, and in Cork.