[coult66]

Despite advising TPE trains on their bike hooks …. nothing has changed.

Last year I did a charity ride to Leeds from South Shields

I booked my train home with bike storage reserved.

Once I got on the train I located the bike storage cupboard. Sadly, I was unable to hang my bike up due to the horrendous design of the bike hook.

This year, another charity ride, another TPE train and the same issue.

I couldn’t angle my bike to the left or right to get it onto the hook due to the restricted space and the opening at the end of the hook was too small for my Rolf rims and CX tyres.

Instead I had to jam my £5500 bike in way that was not secure. I then had to watch my bike all the way home to Newcastle in case it fell.

The train staff told me that if my bike fell and injured someone that I would be liable. all this despite the problem being of their making. They also said they couldn’t lock the cupboard door due to Health and Safety regulations (??????????)

I have once again registered a complaint about this matter with TPE …. I’m not holding my breath that they will do anything about it.

The LNER hooks are way better and they are actual bike hooks … not some disfigured piece of scrap steel.

I have tried several times to attach two photos but the page won’t let me. (53 & 221 KB)

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[quiff]

I recently took my Tern HSD on a GWR service, so same cupboard layout. Even if the chunky tyres had fitted over the hook, there’s no way I would hang it (~25 kg) off the front wheel (EDIT – nor would lifting it up there have been much fun – hurrah for the return of post editing!)

Thankfully (1) nobody else had reserved a space, because you wouldn’t have got 2 bikes in there; (2) it stands on its rear frame and then I locked it to the luggage rack to keep it upright – although of course there are signs telling you not to lock your pride and joy to the train.

[andystow]

A spare Voile strap would be handy in this situation.

I wish I’d thought of that when I had the same issue on my LEJoG. Hindsight is great.

[wtjs]

Yes, bike lanes filled with cars, bike spaces on trains filled with luggage. Road Safety Strategy of January 2026 already on the shelf – there is little hope for any improvement in ‘Active Travel’

[matthewn5]

When I booked my bike into a GWR train in March, the space was filled with baggage! I had to stand there with my bike for the whole trip – and stand it on its back wheel when people needed to get past. Anyway, nobody checked the bike reservation so it was a pretty crap experience all round.

[Author]

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