Unboxing regional bike tourism - how you can help
Roll-on bikes on regional trains is years overdue
Regional bicycle groups call for fairness for bikes on country trains
Bicycle New South Wales in conjunction with the Central West Cycle Trail Committee and Rail Trails NSW last month called for simple adaptions to the current fleet of Trainlink rail carriages and coaches to allow for bicycles to travel without having to be boxed.
Dismantling, boxing and weighing bikes just to board TrainLink is a major deterrent to regional tourism. Cycle tourism will continue to prefer Victoria, NZ and Europe over NSW because the outdated TrainLink policy doesn’t support Roll-On Bikes on All NSW Trains.
Country train rules need to change to match metro travel
Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean said ‘Every politician we speak to agrees that boxing bikes is an unfair rule that disadvantages regional NSW. It flies in the face of NSW Government’s Future and Active Transport strategies, and the hard won Rail Trails Bill. If you’re in a city or regional Victoria, 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.’ Peter McLean.
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 including unbooked wheelchair spaces.’
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 this 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.’ Peter McLean
Roll-on Bikes regional supporters at Platform 2, Central Station Sydney (Photo: Bicycle NSW)
Here’s how you can help advocate for roll-on bikes on all NSW regional trains:
Transport for NSW fail to provide a concrete action plan!
Watch Channel 7 Regional News recent story on challenges of boxing bikes. HERE
Given the lack of concrete action by Transport for NSW in the Channel 7 News story to do away with the requirement of having to box bikes, we ask for your very much needed support to continue to pressure by:
1. Signing the petition HERE
2. Pressure your local candidates, (declarations to be announced 14-20 April) and the Minister for Transport. Ideally a letter should be sent to both your local member and The Hon. (Jo) Joanna Elizabeth HAYLEN, BA MP, Minister for Transport. For sample letter ideas and letter templates head over to our resources page HERE.
John Fuller, committee member of CWC 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. More on why Boxing Bikes is Bad for The Bush HERE & HERE
3. Contact Trainlink through the customer feedback emphasising the desperate need for change of rule. This needs to happen to current fleet and changes are relatively simple (see briefing notes). At this stage we have no other method of contacting Trainlink other than through this pro forma method HERE or HERE
We cannot say for certain which one is the most effective.
Maybe use both!
For further information please contact:
Peter McLean, CEO of Bicycle NSW
peter.mclean@bicycle.nsw.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. Their 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 New South Wales, Australia 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
Donate to the Environmental Trust to help support our advocacy work 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.