Bicycles On The Metrolink

Manchester has a light rail network known as the Metrolink. It is a busy and well used system currently undergoing a period of expansion to outlying areas of Greater Manchester. Bicycles have been banned on carriages since its creation (conditions of carriage 17a). This extends to folding bicycles as well unless they are in a bag. While this may at first seem sensible to ensure maximum space is kept for passengers, the restriction limits the ability of commuters to cycle to and from stops and so have a joined up transport solution for commuting purposes. This will be felt particularly keenly on the expanded system as it will replace existing rail lines which do allow cycles to be carried. 

Metrolink. Current and planned lines. Click for bigger image

Many light rail systems allow the carriage of folded and unfolded bicycles, with certain conditions, including the London Underground system. In 2010 Manchester Friends of the Earth campaigned to reverse the Metrolink ban on folding bicycles by demonstrating folding items which are permitted. These items included ironing boards and deckchairs! While these are not likely to be everyday objects carried on the Metrolink, the campaign was successful in gaining a review of the ban even though the restriction was not subsequently changed.

Friends of the Earth campaign

Luckily I can commute by bicycle without the need for a rail/tram link. Although I live next to a Metrolink station and work is 10 mins away from one just a few stops down the line, I can get there by bike in four miles. Sometimes I even take a longer route just for the fun of it. Using a bicycle to get to and from a Metrolink stop makes no sense for me.

I understand why people do want to mix cycling and public transport and despair of the those who are willing to drive a short distance to a station instead. I have every sympathy though with those who object to non folded bicycles being taken on carriages at busy times. My ideal would be for all bicycles to be allowed on the system at off peak times and feel the need for folding bicycles to be carried in a bag is an unnecessary hurdle.

So knowing the restrictions, I was a little nervous when I took my borrowed Brompton (without bag) on the Metrolink the other evening. I had cycled from work to the joint Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign and Wheelers Brunch Christmas meal. The Brompton was used as I didn't want to leave my nice big bike locked up in Manchester city centre for any length of time. Plus, I thought no one would object to a folding bike at a cycle campaign meeting. 

Anyway, no one did. The bike folded up out of the way and a very nice evening was had. When the time came for me to make my way home, I was less inclined to cycle than normal, no doubt due to the meal + several beers + the very cold, blustery weather. No problem I thought, I am right next to a city centre Metrolink stop and have a folding bike. 

I cycled to the platform and folded the Brommie. One comment was forthcoming from a fellow traveller along the lines of how impressive the fold was and then I was on the tram. No one objected to the bike, which was a lot smaller than several suitcases and a wheeled shopping bag in the carriage. A few stops along a team of inspectors boarded. I thought I would have some hassle but they totally ignored it and concentrated on checking tickets instead. 

Despite breaking the conditions of carriage and no doubt giving material to those who think cyclists are agents of the Devil, do I have any regrets? Well the short answer is no. Restrictions should be in place for good reason and I do not see any why folding bikes should be bagged. Chances are I won't be using the Metrolink in combination with Brommie any time soon but call me a rebel - I am willing to make a stand on this point and be ejected if it comes to it!

Bag it up?

Integrated Transport

Two stories caught my eye today and made me despair slightly.

The local tram network - the Metrolink in Manchester - is reconsidering allowing bicycles to be carried on trams during off peak times. This follows a recent decision to maintain the ban, including folding bikes unless in a case. Local cycling groups made a concerted effort to force a reconsideration. Protesters took ironing boards, amongst other things, on to the trams in order to show how ridiculous the current bike ban is. The non-bike objects are allowed to be carried as the regulations stand. I had no part in the local effort but certainly applaud those who took the time. There is still no reversal of the ban but maybe there is hope.

Contrast this with a posting by David Hembrow from Holland. He describes a bike scheme for users of local rail services - the OV-fiets. Apparently 40% of rail passengers in Holland arrive at the station by bicycle. As so many bikes cannot practically fit on the trains the Dutch have developed a bike hire scheme with a difference which integrates with the rail services, is available at a minimal cost and for a decent hire period. This allows commuters to make the local journey to and from the stations without having to use a car.

What a difference in attitude. Is it possible we will ever be that forward thinking in the UK? I think we might get somewhere near at some point in the future but it will take a major shift to get people out of their cars and that has to mean a major increase in cost. We are just too selfish as a species and so appealing to people to consider the environment just doesn't have the impact to make the difference needed. I'm sure when oil is next pushing towards $200 or $300 a barrel we will see an upsurge in car share schemes, more people cycling and so on. Roll on the day is all I have to say.

More Car Parking!

I was recently contacted by a neighbour who has asked for my support in calling for more free car parking in the Prestwich area. I found the direction of the conversation to be very car plus and bicycle negative. I have copied the communication below for your amusement and comments. I have made some minor edits to make it easier to a reader unfamiliar with the area and have also changed some names.

Email to me:

Hi Darrell

I would like to send the following letter to local councillors and our M.P.

Can you suggest any other comments/modifications ? I was trying to make the point that it's not just a problem for our flats but for Prestwich Village in general as I think we'd get more support that way. I would send you a copy of the final version before sending.

Would you be willing to be a co-signatory and possibly add your e-mail address?

I have already contacted our local councellor and been told that Prestwich is well-served with carparks and I should have bought a house with a drive.

Regards, Sally

Sally's proposed letter:

The carpark at the Longfield Suite is frequently full and cars are always driving round and round, waiting for a spot, sometimes out into the road. The one beside the Catholic Church seems to be usually full too. I don't know what can be done about this but want to make you aware of the problem before it gets even worse.


They are used a great deal by people using the Metro [tram]. Is it possible for the Metro authorities to be asked to provide some extra parking?


Parking for visitors to Prestwich Village is a very big problem. There is already a problem with parking due to the flats having been built with only 121 parking spots. The remaining 19 residents obviously take up public parking and many flats have two cars. Living in a flat here is not like being in the centre of a town such as London or Manchester as people don't expect parking there. Most people go to those places via public transport. Prestwich Village has many people coming by car as it is so close to the Motorway and good roads.


What is going to happen after the redevelopment? [local shopping centre due to be rebuilt and expanded 2010 onwards] It would seem that the new carpark will need to be very much bigger to allow for the lack of parking already, as well as the need for more due to the supermarket. We also feel that the new parking should be free.


I had hoped that people living in the flats would become part of the community and live here for long periods. If there is nowhere for visitors to park this isn't going to happen.


I am also concerned as to what happens when "carers" have to come to people in the flats. Is the Council or Social Services required to provide a few places for these? I thought that the Govt. was trying to provide care at home for people instead of their having to go into "homes".


There is also the problem of there being nowhere for taxis to wait outside the entrance. Elderly and disabled people do need some help with their shopping and luggage from taxis.


There is a problem with workmen coming to the flats. Even if they pay the parking fee for the carpark near the entrance, this carpark is often full.


My reply:

Hi Sally

Thanks for your email.

I know there is always a balance to be struck between parking provision and other amenities and I feel we have a suitable mix in Prestwich.

There is free parking available and the new plans do provide more for the planned supermarket and hotel. People buying/renting at the flats do so with facilities as they stand and can choose accordingly if they wish to live there. I believe the bus and metro [tram] links are good points for the flats and Prestwich as a whole. As a regular commuter cyclist I do not wish to see more cars cramming into the roads looking for more parking provision. We should be investing in Dutch style cycling facilities to get people out of their cars and adopting a healthier lifestyle but I will not bore you with that argument!! Needless to say I cannot support your letter.

Cheers for now. All the best.

Darrell

I was then sent a from another neighbour who had been CC'd into the initial communication. She is elderly and has a disabled husband. I have included my reply along with the main points of her letter:

Dear Molly

Many thanks for the letter you attached to your recent email. I have copied it below and will attempt to answer your points as best I can.

[Molly] We live in an ageing population where it is difficult for a lot of people to get around and are totally reliant on a car to go shopping at the supermarket and visiting other people etc. I don’t think the aging population would find it is easy to get on a bike and get the shopping home. In fact I don’t think the aging population would find it easy to get on a bike at all!

[My answer] I am fully aware we live in society with an increasingly elderly population. I never suggested all people should get on a pushbike and am sorry you interpreted my email in that way. Surely though if those that could did so it might free up road and parking space for those who are more reliant on a car? I myself use a car and enjoy driving it but I try and make all short journeys on foot, bicycle, etc, avoiding the use of a car unless really needed.

[Molly] Young families with children need a car also to get them to school, drop off and collect from nursery en route to work, to do various shopping for the home and to take them to their friends’ homes as most consider it unsafe to allow them to make their own way.

[My answer] Some young families use a car to drop children at nursery or school. I doubt all those that do need to use a vehicle. I consider my family to be a young one with a child at nursery. She is walked to and from the gate as are the majority of the children in her class. I just wonder why "...most consider it unsafe to allow them to make their own way". Could part of that reluctance be because of the high volume of motorised traffic about nowadays making the roads unsafe?

[Molly] If we want the precinct to survive, we need to encourage customers from other areas to shop here and to use the Longfield Centre for leisure pursuits. Not everyone lives near the metro [tram] and a convenient bus stop. Also the cost of public transport is extortionate especially travelling with a family. You mention we have free parking well, apparently that will not be the case if current proposals are carried out!

[My answer] The Longfield shopping precinct has its metrolink stop, several bus stops, a local taxi rank and free car parking. It may or may not come to pass the car parking provided with the new plans is chargeable, however the one next to the catholic church it intended to remain free - I asked myself at a local planning meeting last year. I strongly believe if you provide more and more free parking spaces it only encourages people to use them when they could have made their way easily by other means. How much and where would you like to build the extra car parking locally and who should pay for it if not the motorist? I do not want to live in the middle of a shopping mall.

[Molly] We live in a time where a lot of people are very lonely and look forward to friends and relatives visiting. How could this be possible without a car? You talk about choosing to live in the flats. I have to live in an apartment because my husband is so disabled. Does that mean that we cannot expect care workers and others to visit us unless they are on bikes?

[My answer] Again, I never suggested everyone use a bicycle to make their journey, although I don't see why community nurses, carers, etc could not use a pushbike as a means of transport. I know of several nurses who do their community rounds on bikes although the majority cannot because of the equipment or drugs they carry. I could also argue increased car use and the ease of motorised travel is one of the reasons some elderly people are now isolated in their homes, as family and friends have moved away and commute long distances. However, I feel the car is a useful and valid means of transportation and I do not want to see the car banned from Prestwich. My point is more car parking does not solve a congestion problem but just encourages greater traffic volumes to fill the spaces and so also increases traffic in the surrounding streets. Of course a balance needs to be met. I believe there is enough car parking provision around the flats and would like to see those people who can encouraged to use other means to to make local journeys rather than using a car.

I don't think I will persuade you and Sally to my way of thinking and I do not intend to. I merely wish to give my reasons why I cannot support a call for more car parking in the area.

Best regards

Darrell