Unboxing regional bike tourism
Did you know that bikes on regional trains are currently considered luggage and have to be put in a box?
Roll-on bikes on regional trains is years overdue!
Dismantling, boxing and weighing bikes just to board NSW TrainLink regional bus and train services is a major deterrent to NSW tourism. Touring cyclists will continue to prefer Victoria, NZ and Europe over NSW because an outdated TrainLink luggage policy doesn’t support Roll-On Bikes on All NSW Trains.
Of course, simplifying bike carriage would also bring major benefits for shorter local trips, improving access to jobs and opportunities for residents of regional towns and cities.
Bicycle NSW has collaborated with the Central West Cycle Committee and Rail Trails NSW over several years to call for simple adaptions to the current fleet of TrainLink rail carriages and coaches to allow for bicycles to travel without having to be boxed. In 2023, NSW TrainLink staff met us on an XPT train at Central Station to drill down into the issues and opportunities.
John Fuller, Central West Cycle Committee member, has developed an excellent set of notes of suggested changes that can be made to the current TrainLink rail carriages and coaches. Changes should not be put off until the arrival of the continually delayed new fleet.
Supporters of the Roll-on Bikes campaign on Platform 2 at Sydney's Central Station in March 2023 (Photo: Bicycle NSW)
The first roll-on bikes trial in 2024
There was some good news in late 2023. NSW TrainLink announced a trial. Two spaces for unboxed bikes were to be made available on the Sydney to Dubbo XPT train in the first quarter of 2024.
The trial finally started on 2nd September 2024. Passengers could bring bicycles onto the train when boarding selected XPT services at Dubbo or Central, without having to put them in a bike box. There were numerous restrictions, and the trial ended early on 28th October due to unrelated technical problems which took the Dubbo XPT out of service for several weeks.
*** IMPORTANT UPDATE ***
The second roll-on bikes trial started on 4 August 2025
Some changes have been made, following feedback from users in 2024:
- Bikes can now be booked 7 days a week.
- Slightly longer bikes will be included - up to 1870mm (1.87m) in length.
- You can now start or finish your trip at Bathurst and Orange (as well as Dubbo and Sydney Central).
Note: E-bikes are not eligible and there is still a 20kg weight limit. There is only space for two bike per trains, and you have to sit in the same carriage which means buying a first class ticket as well as the $12.10 bike fee. Call 13 22 32 to book.
Details of the roll-on bikes trial round 2 are now on Transport for NSW's website.
A meeting with TrainLink staff at Central Station provided an opportunity to understand key issues for both bike riders and train operators (Photo: Bicycle NSW)
Although we remain disappointed by the limitations of the trials, this progress is a promising win for regional communities and regional tourism. Bike tourism is valued at over $2 billion a year in Australia but NSW misses out on its fair share. Bicycle NSW thanks the NSW Government for taking this small but significant step forward.
"A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign, signed the petition and written to politicians," said Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean. "Please try and take advantage of the current trial over the next three months. The weather will be perfect for Central West exploring and it is important to show Transport for NSW that there is a lot of demand for rolling bikes onto trains."
And, of course, continue to write to decision makers to ask them to keep the pressure up for a permanent solution across all NSW TrainLink services!
Country train rules need to change to match metro travel
"Every politician we speak to agrees that boxing bikes is an unfair rule that disadvantages regional NSW," says Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean. "It flies in the face of NSW Government’s Future Transport and Active Transport strategies, and the hard won Rail Trails Bill. But you’re in regional Victoria, you can just roll your bike onto the train."
"Cycle tourism, and particularly e-bike tourism, will be a windfall for regional economies if TrainLink allows roll on bikes on all its NSW regional lines."
According to David Allworth, Secretary of the Central West Cycle Trail Committee, "The rules for taking a bike on regional trains are a big impediment. Carriages can be easily and cheaply modified to adapt. Options include removing a row of seats from one of the cars to create space. Even during peak periods, there are abundant spare seats."
"The NSW Regional Development Ministry has released the commendable Adventure Cycle Tourism policy to get people out into the regions. It’s common sense to remove the boxing rule and make regional travel fairer and more attractive. In the recent state election, we asked all candidates to support rural towns and regional economies by allowing bikes to easily get to the bush by train," says Peter McLean.
Here’s how you can help advocate for roll-on bikes on all NSW TrainLink services
Given the lack of concrete action by Transport for NSW to do away with the onerous requirement of having to box bikes, we ask for your very much needed support to ramp up the pressure by:
- Signing the petition HERE
- Writing to your local MP and the Minister for Transport to urge them to push for change at Transport for NSW
- Contacting TrainLink through the customer feedback form emphasising the desperate need to change the rule. This needs to happen to current and future fleet and, as set out in the briefing notes, changes are relatively simple.
For further information please contact:
Peter McLean, CEO of Bicycle NSW
peter.mclean@bicyclensw.org.au
David Allworth, Secretary of the Central West Cycle Trail Committee
djallworth@gmail.com
Tim Coen, Rail Trails NSW
tim.railtrailsnsw@gmail.com
Bicycle NSW is the peak advocacy body for bike riders in NSW and has represented them since 1976. Our mission is to create a better environment for all bicycle riders. Bicycle NSW seeks to bring about a change in the cultural and behavioural stance in support of mainstream bicycle use. Bicycle NSW also advocates for improvements to the built environment to allow a bicycle to be used as a viable and safe transport option.
The Central West Cycle Trail provides a 400 km circuit through the rolling rural landscape away from the main road. Located in the state of NSW, the circuit has been developed by local cyclists who know the backroads between the towns.
Rail Trails for NSW is the peak advocacy group supporting and promoting the development of active travel for utility and eco-tourism along the many decommissioned railways across NSW. Rail trails are a growing international movement and boon to local economies.
Please help make a difference and sign this petition here
Join Bicycle NSW today and help elevate our voice. As our valued Member you support Bicycle NSW to be the leaders in bicycle advocacy in NSW. Bicycle NSW has the ear of government and works tirelessly to create a better environment for all bicycle riders in NSW.
Not ready to become a full Member? Then please consider a donation to the Australian Bicycle Advocacy Fund to help support our ongoing work to improve access to public transport with bikes.