Greater Manchester "Integrated!" Transport Authority
have decided not to allow bikes on the new trams they are ordering for Metrolink extensions - see http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2010/jan/15/manchester-bikes-on-trams
Then at the Northern Rail Cycle Forum in Preston today we heard that the project team responsible for the tram-train trial (Sheffield to Rotherham Northgate via the freight line) had decided that the 4 vehicles they were ordering would not carry bikes. The somewhat inadequate reason we were given for this was that passengers would be confused as some trams would be carrying bikes and others not.
We were outraged to hear this - how can this be a proper trial if these vehicles don't carry bikes? These are vehicles that are intended to replace heavy rail vehicles that do carry bikes on suburban & rural lines.
I got back to town in time to relay this news to the City Cycle Forum and it received a similar response to mine. Councillors will be taking this forward and an ally at the SYPTE will be making enquiries as to how this decision was made.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh has made a historic, for the UK, decision to allow bikes on its new Trams - see http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Tram-chiefs-agree-to-be.4727223.jp
2 comments:
My friend, Dave Halladay uses his bike as a mobility aid. Ands also works for the CTC. He was asking for 'trail blazers' for the Manchester trams???? Is that still relavent, if they've ordered some very EXclusive trams.
Caroline
Hi Caroline,
Yes, the point about disabled people who don't use motorised mobility aids is very relevant. Have you tried to take your trike on Supertram for example?
What we really need is some DDA challenges against these companies who will (grudgingly) take a mobility scooter but regard a disabled person on a cycle as persona non grata.
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