Cyclists’ associations and MEPs are calling for dedicated spaces for eight assembled bicycles on all new and refurbished trains in Europe, ahead of a final trilogue meeting on 01 October.
The European Parliament, European Commission and Council of the European Union will review the European Regulation on Rail Passengers’ Rights and Obligations in the meeting, and the European Cyclist Federation (ECF) has called for the review to ease boarding a train with a bike.
According to research by the ECF, it is currently impossible to carry assembled bicycles on board 53% of the fastest train connections between large cities in Europe. The organisation said it like to see changes made within one year following revision to regulation.
Jill Warren, co-CEO of ECF, said: “This is our last great chance to change this regulation in favour of cyclists, and to make sure that the railway network is future proof.
“In the context of a climate emergency and the Covid-19 recovery, cycling has become European’s first choice when it comes to urban mobility. We should not miss this opportunity to combine two of the most sustainable modes of transport.”
Last week, the ECF was joined by Gracq, an organisation representing French-speaking Belgian cyclists, and cyclists’ union Fietsersbond Belgium at Brussels-Luxembourg train station, located next to the European Parliament.
The group said it aimed to highlight the difficulties in boarding a train with a bicycle and has produced a map (see image) to showcase the routes that currently do not allow assembled bikes in the carriage.
