Edinburgh cyclists now able to take bikes on trams following successful trial

Edinburgh trams will now allow passengers to bring bikes on board following a successful two-month trial. The Edinburgh News reports that two bikes will be allowed on each tram, except during peak hours and throughout August due to festival crowds.

The decision comes following a five-year campaign by Spokes. The campaign group says that the principle had been agreed on several occasions before now, only for progress to be scotched by an election or a change in tram management. Eventually, a trial began in May and after taking feedback from passengers, this has been deemed a success.

Edinburgh Trams’ safety, quality and environment manager Michael Powell said:

“After considering passenger feedback and the number of cyclists using the trams every day we agreed that there was little to no impact on daily operations and so we are happy to welcome bikes on board.

“Although the numbers are currently quite small we expect that more people may use their bikes in future, so we are keeping the hours and conditions that applied during the trial, to make sure we continue to look after the safety and comfort of all passengers.”

Cyclists can take their bikes on trams seven days a week, except on weekdays between 7.30am and 9.30am and between 4pm and 6.30pm. They are also not permitted from August 7-31 due to the Edinburgh Fringe. Buggies and passengers with disabilities will be given priority and tram staff may ask cyclists with bikes to disembark if they deem it to be too busy.

Spokes cycle campaign spokesman, Ian Maxwell, said: “We’ve been pleased to work with Edinburgh Trams on this trial and welcome the decision to extend access. We urge cyclists to respect other tram users, but also hope that in future tram staff will have discretion to allow bicycles on quiet off-peak trams.”

On average, 12 cyclists a day rode the city’s tram line during the trial. City transport leader, Lesley Hinds, who also chairs Transport for Edinburgh, said: “The tram route connects to several cycle paths leading around the city and this will hopefully encourage more people into public transport.”

In 2014, Transport for London announced that bikes would be allowed on Docklands Light Railway (DLR) trains at off-peak times following a six-month trial. Over 5,000 cyclists travelled with their bikes on the DLR during the trial period.

In contrast, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) said that non-folding bicycles would continue to be barred from Sheffield’s Supertram, despite being urged to follow suit. A spokeswoman cited “accessibility issues for our other customers” in explaining the policy.