Ban on Peak Hour Cycles on South West Trains

9.28.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th Oct 2004

South West Trains has banned cycles from peak hour trains in a move which has infuriated cyclists but was intended to ease the position of commuters in crowded carriages.

MP Vincent Cable, who has been lobbied by cyclists groups over the ban, said that: "cycles are undoubtedly unpopular in crowded carriages but the underlying problem is the loss of traditional goods vans. There are growing numbers of people who want to exercise the environmentally friendly option of travelling into central London by public transport and, then, cycling and, at present, there is no opportunity for them to do so. The rail company should be trying to ensure that there is enough rolling stock in use to ensure that trains are not seriously over crowded and that there are designated peak hour trains with separate, cycle carrying capacity."