Cycling With First TransPennine Express

Please click here to download a copy of our cycle policy

First TransPennine Express welcomes customers who wish to combine bike and rail for commuting, business or for leisure. 
Cycling is a quick and efficient door to door method of accessing our train stations. In cities cycling is often twice as quick as driving and the time you take doesn't vary with traffic, so you will always arrive on time.  Combined with our excellent train punctuality you're far more likely to arrive at your destination relaxed and refreshed.

Cycling is also good for you and the environment; it's fast, convenient, reliable and takes you from door to door!  Combining bike and the train offers a realistic alternative for many journeys currently made by less sustainable modes.

Did you know? More than 60% of the population live within a 15 minute cycle ride of a train station.

Did you know? Regular exercise by bicycle can lead to substantial reductions in the risk of coronary heart disease and reduce stress levels.

This guide provides all the information you require for combining cycling with travel on First TransPennine Express services. 

ATOC produces a useful National Rail guide called 'Cycling by Train' which provides information and guidance to cyclists about all train operating company policies.  It is available from your local train station or visit: www.nationalrail.co.uk/system/galleries/download/misc/CyclingbyTrain.pdf

Plan Ahead

First TransPennine Express welcomes cyclists on all our services and taking your cycle with you is free. Space on board is limited and due to the popularity of our services we cannot guarantee there will always be space available for your cycle, therefore we encourage the use of cycle parking facilities at stations and cycle hire at your destination.

Customers with folding cycles are welcome on all our services and we encourage their use. Before boarding the train, please make sure the cycle is completely folded down. You can store it in any of the usual luggage areas. Reservations are not required for folding cycles.

Tandems, tricycles, 'Rann' type trailers, motorcycles, mopeds and motorised cycles cannot be carried on any of our services.    

If you do need to take your cycle with you we recommend that you plan ahead to ensure you are able to take a cycle on your journey and allow plenty of time to purchase or collect your tickets.      

Ensure you check whether there are engineering works taking place that may affect your journey. If rail replacement buses are operating in place of trains during engineering works, then unfortunately you won't be able to take a cycle on them. Check by visiting to www.nationalrail.co.uk or calling 08457 48 49 50 before you travel.

We recommend that you make a reservation to carry your cycle on board. However to ensure the comfort and safety of customers, we cannot guarantee that space will always be available for your cycle and this will be at the conductor's discretion.

Making a Reservation

Reservations can be made at any train station with a staffed ticket office. We recommend that you make your cycle reservation at the same time as booking your train ticket.

Alternatively, cycle reservations can be made by calling 0845 600 1674.

We recommend that you reserve a space as early as possible and at least 24 hours before departure.

Please note that our staff have the right to refuse a cycle if there isn't enough space (in accordance with National Conditions of Carriage, sections 48 and 49. Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk).

In the event of cancellation or severe delays, your cycle reservation cannot be guaranteed on the replacement service. 

At the Station

For the best cycle route to your train station please contact the local council or Sustrans.  Visit www.sustrans.org.uk for more details.

We provide secure cycle parking facilities at all of the train stations we manage and we work with local council, community and cycling groups to continually improve access to our train stations, signage, security and cycle storage facilities. Most cycle storage facilities at our train stations are covered by CCTV for your security and safety. 

For information about the cycle storage facilities at your train station please visit the Stations and Destinations section at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

If you intend to travel with your cycle please arrive at the train station in good time for your train departure.

If there are ticket gates at the train station please use the wide staff-operated gate.

When leaving your cycle at the train station please ensure you use the cycle racks provided.  We recommend that you remove all valuables e.g. lights and pumps.  Bags and panniers must be removed and taken with you.  Cycles are left at the owner's risk and First TransPennine Express accepts no liability for cycles left at the train station.  You are therefore advised to have your own insurance for your cycle and all equipment.

If you park your cycle in a non-designated area which could cause an obstruction or hazard to other train station users, station staff have the right to move the cycle without warning.

For safety reasons, NEVER ride your cycle anywhere in the train station or on the platform.

In the interest of security, First TransPennine Express reserves the right to search any bags and panniers left on cycles.

Please remove cycle locks from cycle racks when not in use. 

Regular auditing of cycles at our train stations identifies cycles that may have been abandoned. Any cycle left for more than seven days will be considered abandoned   and removed. If you are leaving your cycle at the train station for more than seven days please advise the station manager of this in advance.     

On Board

Cycle storage is provided on all trains.  Please follow the cycle symbol on the exterior of the train to ensure you enter at the designated cycle storage area.  Platform staff can help you with locating this.  

Cycles can only be accommodated in the area designated on the train. Please do not leave your cycle where it will obstruct the doors.  For safety reasons we will have to remove any cycles that are likely to cause an obstruction.

Class 185s: Cycle Storage - Coach C. Capacity: space for up to two cycles
Class 170s: Cycle Storage - Coach A. Capacity: space for up to two cycles

Please use the straps provided to secure your cycle once on board the train.

For safety reasons, cycles must not be locked to anything on the train.  If you lose the keys or your cycle isn't unlocked in time, we can't delay the train to remove your cycle.

Please remove all valuables. Panniers, lights, pumps or valuable equipment should be taken with you.  First TransPennine Express cannot be held responsible for anything that goes missing and we recommend that you take out your own insurance for your cycle.

Please click here to download a copy of our cycle policy

Cycle Tourism - The National Cycle Network

Many of our train stations are located near some great cycle routes in beautiful countryside so you can take the opportunity to explore the North of England and Scotland.

Sustrans is the co-ordinator of the hugely popular National Cycle Network offering over 12,000 miles of walking and cycle routes on traffic-free paths, quiet lanes and traffic-calmed roads. 75% of the UK population now live within two miles of a route! The Network is well signed and connects towns and villages, countryside and coast throughout the UK.

To find out more about the National Cycle Network visit www.sustrans.co.uk.

Cycle Hire and Cycle Centres

You don't have to take your bike with you on the train. We seek to work with and promote cycle hire facilities on our network.

Lancaster - Leisure Lakes Bikes, 01524 844389, www.leisurelakesbikes.com  

Staveley - Wheelbase, 01539 821443/07973 739068, www.wheelbase.co.uk

Carlisle - Scotby Bikes, 01228 546931, www.bikebike.co.uk

Kendal - Askew Cycles, 01539 728057, www.askewcycles.co.uk

Ulverston - Gill Cycles, www.gillcycles.co.uk

Newcastle - Tyne Bridge Bike Hire, 07932 767814, www.tynebridgebikehire.co.uk

York - Bob Trotter Cycles Ltd, 01904 622868, www.bobtrottercycles.com

Edinburgh - Cycle Scotland Rent a Bike, 0131 556 5560, www.cyclescotland.co.uk

Windermere - Country Lanes, 01539 444544, www.countrylanes.co.uk or take advantage of our special deal with Country Lanes and click here

Manchester - Bicycle Boutique, 0161 273 7801, www.bicycleboutiquemcr.co.uk

Glasgow - Alpine Bikes, 0141 559 5450, www.alpinebikes.com

Liverpool - Liverpool Bicycle Cooperative limited, 0151 512 6046, www.liverpool-bicycle.co.uk

Cycling Groups

Sustrans

The UK's leading sustainable transport charity working to promote walking, cycling and public transport use.

www.sustrans.org.uk

0845 113 0065

Cycling England

The national body that coordinates the development of cycling across England.

www.cyclingengland.co.uk

CTC

The UK's national cyclists' organisation

www.ctc.org.uk

0870 873 0060

Contact Details

For cycle reservation call 0845 600 1674.

Calls may be recorded for quality and training purposes.