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Edinburgh cyclists now able to take bikes on trams following successful trial

Two bikes permitted on each tram outside peak hours

Edinburgh trams will now allow passengers to bring bikes on board following a successful two-month trial. The Edinburgh News reports that two bikes will be allowed on each tram, except during peak hours and throughout August due to festival crowds.

The decision comes following a five-year campaign by Spokes. The campaign group says that the principle had been agreed on several occasions before now, only for progress to be scotched by an election or a change in tram management. Eventually, a trial began in May and after taking feedback from passengers, this has been deemed a success.

Edinburgh Trams’ safety, quality and environment manager Michael Powell said:

“After considering passenger feedback and the number of cyclists using the trams every day we agreed that there was little to no impact on daily operations and so we are happy to welcome bikes on board.

“Although the numbers are currently quite small we expect that more people may use their bikes in future, so we are keeping the hours and conditions that applied during the trial, to make sure we continue to look after the safety and comfort of all passengers.”

Cyclists can take their bikes on trams seven days a week, except on weekdays between 7.30am and 9.30am and between 4pm and 6.30pm. They are also not permitted from August 7-31 due to the Edinburgh Fringe. Buggies and passengers with disabilities will be given priority and tram staff may ask cyclists with bikes to disembark if they deem it to be too busy.

Spokes cycle campaign spokesman, Ian Maxwell, said: “We’ve been pleased to work with Edinburgh Trams on this trial and welcome the decision to extend access. We urge cyclists to respect other tram users, but also hope that in future tram staff will have discretion to allow bicycles on quiet off-peak trams.”

On average, 12 cyclists a day rode the city’s tram line during the trial. City transport leader, Lesley Hinds, who also chairs Transport for Edinburgh, said: “The tram route connects to several cycle paths leading around the city and this will hopefully encourage more people into public transport.”

In 2014, Transport for London announced that bikes would be allowed on Docklands Light Railway (DLR) trains at off-peak times following a six-month trial. Over 5,000 cyclists travelled with their bikes on the DLR during the trial period.

In contrast, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) said that non-folding bicycles would continue to be barred from Sheffield’s Supertram, despite being urged to follow suit. A spokeswoman cited “accessibility issues for our other customers” in explaining the policy.

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8 comments

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Poptart242 | 8 years ago
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Fair enough you lot... I don't see the appeal personally but bike-friendly progress is progress I suppose!

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Edgeley | 8 years ago
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get tram for sensible price to the stop before the airport, and cycle the last bit. Avoid the ludicrous airport surcharge. Not quite sure how you Edinburgians will get your luggage to the airport, mind.....

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harrybav | 8 years ago
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This is good cos it should mean I can take my bike in cardboard box to the airport for a fiver.

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Matt_S | 8 years ago
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By "take bikes on tram", do you mean "Be dragged along under a tram after falling on the tracks" ?  26

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Tired of the tr... | 8 years ago
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This is really good news! It's particularly useful if you have to get to the airport for short trips. You can cycle into the centre (avoiding slow buses which don't run early and late) and then jump on the tram for the last long tedious section out to the airport.

No problem leaving the bike for a few days - the rack is next to the departure entrance where there is normally a submachinegun-armed security guard. Bike thieves not likely to get out their angle grinders here...

Now, if Edinburgh built more tram lines so that one could also get to other places, that would be even more welcome!

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Poptart242 | 8 years ago
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Who are these 12 cyclists? The tram takes SO long to get anywhere that you can beat it to your destination in the granny ring without breaking a sweat.

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Tired of the tr... replied to Poptart242 | 8 years ago
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Poptart242 wrote:

Who are these 12 cyclists? The tram takes SO long to get anywhere that you can beat it to your destination in the granny ring without breaking a sweat.

Taking the bike on the tram is not really meant / suitable for daily commuting, but a great option to add flexibility. For example, you cycle to the zoo, but then it starts to rain and you don't feel like cycling back.

In many continental cities you usually only find a few people with bikes on public transport. It just makes cycling a bit more attractive because it gives you a plan B for bad weather, bike problems, too much shopping or feeling too tired.

A different matter are local trains with bicycle compartments for commuters to cover larger distances faster.

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farrell replied to Tired of the trolls here and gone cycling instead | 8 years ago
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Stephan Matthiesen wrote:
Poptart242 wrote:

Who are these 12 cyclists? The tram takes SO long to get anywhere that you can beat it to your destination in the granny ring without breaking a sweat.

Taking the bike on the tram is not really meant / suitable for daily commuting, but a great option to add flexibility. For example, you cycle to the zoo, but then it starts to rain and you don't feel like cycling back.

In many continental cities you usually only find a few people with bikes on public transport. It just makes cycling a bit more attractive because it gives you a plan B for bad weather, bike problems, too much shopping or feeling too tired.

A different matter are local trains with bicycle compartments for commuters to cover larger distances faster.

Or if you are out with someone not on a bike, you can both hop on the tram and share your journey rather than leaving your bike locked up miles away or sticking them on a tram on their own and meeting them on the other side.

There are lots of possibilities and options being opened up to people by this.

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