London Overground imposes blanket ban on peak time cycle carriage (photo Matt Buck)





Transport for London, the operator of London Overground, is imposing a blanket ban on cycle carriage at peak times (7.30 – 9.30 am and 4 - 7 pm) on the ‘Ginger’ line in any direction. This ill-considered decision will deprive TfL of income and penalise passengers who used to carry their bikes on the outlying sections of London Overground that are not crowded at rush hour. Before the new blanket ban, due to be implemented on the 15th of December people could carry bikes at peak times on sections of London Overground in Ealing and parts of West and East London .

LCC and politicians in Ealing have made complaints about the non-selective approach of London Overground to peak time restrictions but no response has been received.

Parents and children travelling with bikes, in particular will be impacted by the planned ban because return journeys from school or nursery in winter months (often made at around 4pm) could be made safer by making them in part by train

The old policy

Non-folding bikes cannot be carried on any London Overground train Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays) on trains:

Timed to arrive at Euston between 07:00-10:00 or timed to depart from Euston 16:00-19:00

Timed to depart in either direction 07:00-10:00 and 16:00-19:00 between Willesden Junction and Gospel Oak, Gospel Oak and Blackhorse Road, Highbury & Islington and New Cross/Clapham Junction/Crystal Palace/West Croydon

The new policy

Non-folding bicycles cannot be carried on any London Overground train between 07:30-09:30 and 16:00-19:00, Monday to Friday (except public holidays).