Rules for transporting a bicycle on the train

In the summer, an increasing number of cyclists are faced with the question of whether it is possible to transport a two-wheeled vehicle in an electric train. The answer to this question is not so simple, since the situation has a lot of nuances.

Bicycles can be transported on a commuter train in both paid and free formats. However, it is important to mention that Russian Railways prohibits the transportation of dirty items, so the vehicle will either have to be wiped off before boarding, or provided with a bag of a suitable size or package. In principle, bicycles can be transported both in the vestibule and in the carry-on baggage areas, and in the free space at the beginning and end of the carriage, but the conditions of transportation in these cases differ.

All promotions, specific tariffs and conditions differ in different regions of the Russian Federation. In addition, the further a person travels, the more it will cost him to transport the bicycle. If the bike in any way can damage the belongings of other passengers or even injure them, then the carriage is in principle prohibited. If the controllers express dissatisfaction even before landing, then it is recommended to immediately unhook the front wheel and notify the staff that the bike will be placed as carry-on luggage.

The baggage rules for electric trains indicate that only hand luggage can be carried free of charge.Thus, the owner of each ticket, including a child ticket, with a seat provided, can occupy the space designated for luggage at no additional charge. It is important that the sum of three measurements of each object does not go beyond 180 centimeters, and the weight of each element does not exceed 35 kilograms.

For an additional cost, you can carry another 50 kilograms of baggage weight. The exact conditions can be found at the information stand, usually located in each carriage.

The order of transportation is determined in such a way that the two-wheeled vehicle is located either in the carry-on baggage space or next to the passengers. Of course, in the second case, the bicycle being transported should not interfere with the “neighbors” on the train. The fee for each bike is the same as for baggage weighing 10 kilograms.

It should be mentioned that during the summer, some carriers run promotions for cyclists on specific days or times. Usually, their essence lies in the fact that when buying a regular ticket for a passenger, any bike is transported free of charge. For example, this can be a period from June 10 to October 31, during which any passenger can transport his vehicle in an unassembled state at no additional charge.

Generally, each region has its own specifics of transportation. In the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the assembled bike is allowed to be transported only in the vestibule, paying an additional 19 rubles. In the Altai Territory, from May 10 to September 30, there is a special offer, according to which, when buying a ticket for a passenger, he can carry a bicycle free of charge. Such benefits usually apply only on the territory of a specific region, so you need to find out about them in advance at the ticket offices of the railway station or on the website of the transport company.

In the trains of OJSC TsPPK, it is possible to transport assembled bicycles free of charge every day from 11 to 16 pm, as well as from 21 pm to 6 am. However, this is possible only if both the starting and ending points are in Moscow, the Moscow region or the Moscow region. It is necessary to take a special free ticket for a bicycle at the box office, without which it is prohibited to enter the carriage. The document is drawn up in the terminal and is received only during the current hours, that is, from 11 to 16 hours and from 21 to 6 hours. In the terminal, select the menu item "Hand luggage" or "Luggage", after which - the item "Bicycle 0". Paid bicycle transportation is paid either before the trip, or directly on the train with the assistance of a conductor.

On those days when public events are held in Moscow, for example, "Veloparad" or "To work by bike", Russian Railways allows you to travel with a vehicle free of charge at any time of the day. Such information must first be specified at special information stands.

Returning to the TsPPK, paid transportation costs from 60 to 120 rubles, depending on the direction of travel and the distance along the way. Up to 100 kilometers the tariff corresponds to 60 rubles, and over 100 kilometers - 120 rubles. The cost of other carriers is basically the same. For example, at MT PPK, when transporting a distance of up to 100 kilometers, you will have to pay 25 rubles, and over 100 kilometers - already 50 rubles.

On Aeroexpress, bicycles can be transported free of charge in any form throughout the day.

The fine for stowaway baggage transportation is, as a rule, 100 rubles and is considered an administrative violation. However, some conductors are unauthorized and require free riders to pay an amount equal to a regular passenger ticket.

Experienced cyclists recommend not traveling with a large cycling company in the same carriage, as this creates a queue and takes up too much space.

If you choose the right seat, then no problems should arise either with the controller or with other passengers. Some trains are equipped with special zones for oversized cargo. Sometimes, by the way, they are present only in some cars, so it makes sense to walk all over the train and find the best place.

If the carriage is practically empty, then the bike is allowed to be placed between the seats in the normal or upside down state. Do not leave the bike in the vestibule, as this will interfere with the entering and exiting fellow travelers. It can also be trite stolen. An exception may be the first and last carriages, but again in the case of low population. It is worth mentioning that according to the rules, only one bicycle can be placed in one vestibule.

When it is decided to ride with a company in the same carriage, although this is undesirable, it is recommended to arrange the bicycles in a checkerboard pattern, that is, one bike becomes the rear wheel towards the exit, and the second becomes the front wheel. Sometimes three vehicles are positioned at the bottom as a support, and at the top, if necessary, a couple more are fixed. In an upright position, it is not forbidden to place the bike with the rear wheel on the seat. It is also necessary to mention the importance of putting the device on the brake. For this purpose, an elastic band will help, used to pull the brake lever to the handlebars.

Only a folding bike that is the same size as your carry-on baggage will be able to be transported free of charge on the train. In order to achieve the required sum of three dimensions, you will need to remove the front wheel, steering wheel and fold the structure. It should be mentioned that in modern models, the wheel is dismantled by pressing a convenient lever, which makes it unnecessary to carry tools. The pin is either pushed into the frame or removed with the seat. In this form, the bicycle does not block the passage for other passengers and does not take up seat space. Even the pedals and the rear wheel can be removed if desired.

Recommended also Prepare luggage rubber bands or other elastic ties in advance to fix the vehicle near the wall or seat handle. In order not to get your bag or bag dirty, the bike should be washed first. By the way, the cover itself must be soft, otherwise the protruding angular parts of the bike can disturb or even injure other passengers and their belongings. The bike is placed in the cover with the wheels upward: first, the rounded fabric part is put on the rear wheel, then it is partially fastened. After that, the front wheel and pedals are placed inside. The capacity for the bike should be selected in such a way that the structure inside does not dangle.

As for children's bicycles, they fall under all of the above rules, and therefore, having the required dimensions and being packed, can be transported as carry-on luggage. Here again, luggage elastic bands come in handy, which are fabric-braided laces with reliable metal hooks at both ends. They will help not only for fixing, but also when it is necessary to use the parking brake.

You can watch the next video about a very convenient way to transport bicycles by electric trains.