Hybrid Commute
Most UK trains allow bikes to be brought onboard. Below are some tips for commuting on the train with your bike.
Commuting between Culham and Oxford/Didcot
The local train that goes between Oxford-Culham-Didcot always consists of 2 to 3 carriages. The cycle storage space is always located at either the very front or very rear of the train, accessible by the first door or the last door respectively. That door is often labelled "E" (for "carriage E"), see picture on the right.
Door labelled "E"
Carriages with cycle storage are shown on the display. In this case, it's the carriage that stops at zone 3 and zone 8.
Commuting beyond Oxford/Didcot
You may change to a faster train from Oxford/Didcot. Please note that only certain carriages on these trains are equipped with cycle storage. The platform's electronic display at Oxford/Didcot station will indicate which carriages have this feature.
These trains have a different style of bike racks that require a little more skill to manoeuvre your bike into, where your front wheel has to be lifted and hooked in.
On the rare occasion where you have a full-sized bike, and all of the bike storage space has been taken, then you may be turned away from the train and be told by the train conductor to take the next available train to your destination. In this case, you may be entitled to delay compensation (see below).
Park your bike by hanging the front wheel.
While the local stopping service between Oxford and Didcot are rarely cancelled or severely delayed, on the rare occasions that they are, you are entitled to a partial refund of your train ticket.
Train departure and arrival information are publically available. One of the best websites to do this on is the ontimetrains website, where you can see if you are eligible for any past delays or cancellations.
Bicycles are large and awkward to lift, so you may find the following tips helpful at avoiding injury/accidents when lifting your bike on/off the train and footbridges.
Taking your bike up steps
Stand on the left side of your bike (to avoid getting chain grease onto yourself during the lift);
Lift the bike up (both wheels off the floor) with your right hand by gripping the down tube or the bike seat.
Optionally, place top tube or bike seat onto your right shoulder for an easier carry up staircases. (If you plan to do this, keep your back vertical, squat and lift via your glutes and thighs muscles, avoid lift via your back muscles alone)
Taking your bike down steps
Stand behind your bike;
Put both hands on the handle bars, applying full braking force onto the rear wheel;
Lift the front wheel off the ground by yanking the handle bars upwards and walking backwards;
Now the bike should be standing on the rear wheel, such that you can walk and steer your bike like a wheelbarrow.
While going down each step, let the bike lightly bounce onto the next step, and apply a gentle braking force through the rear wheel.
Note: This method only applies to light bikes (<13 kg) with no/flexible rear wheel mudguards.
