Carrying bikes on Public Transport 公共運輸系統運載單車

Date: Oct 19, 2005

Carrying bikes on Public Transport 公共運輸系統運載單車

nurgles · Member

Yes we are arguing with TD about this issue.See the latest e mail to them about transport of bikes

Thank you for your reply but as a taxpayer we find your explanation is not acceptable.

We agree that it is obvious and reasonable to strike the best balance between passenger safety and needs of cyclists. It is also necessary to strike the best balance between passenger safety and needs of all passengers.

If absolute safety is required, then no passengers should be allowed to carry any luggage of any size. If only the interests of the majority are considered, then the transport companies should exclude wheelchairs or baby strollers. So the true meaning of striking the best balance should be satisfying the needs of all passengers as far as practically possible and not imposing unnecessary restrictions against users considered as the minority. Unless an article is particularly dangerous or is practically impossible to be accommodated we can't see why it is not allowed to be carried on the public transport system which is supposed to satisfy the needs of all users.

A bicycle is not small enough like a hammer or knife to be used as a weapon, not tall and heavy enough like a pile of TVs to cause significant damage when it falls. It does not contain fuel nor contains easily combustible material like foam or paper to cause fire.

We are trying to gain recognition that cyclists who wish to occasionally transport their cycles on the public transport system can do so. This is the also the requirement of many world class cities around the world. Here in Hong Kong the Government has stated its intention to promote the use of environmentally and sustainable forms of transport.

What measures would be taken by Transport Department to comply with this and to rectify this kind of discrimination?

kwyan · Veteran Member

Public transport companies like KCRC and MTRC and our government department Transport Department always deny that there is a policy of discrimination against cyclists and try to convince us that the only reason for not allowing bicycles is due to luggage size which apply equally to all kinds of goods. Is this true? Judging from the attitude and action of the public transport staff, one could hardly believe that they are without discrimination.

Yesterday one of our members took the KCRC train from Hunghom to Fotan but was stopped by KCRC staff from taking her bike onto the train. After this incidence we have discovered two things:-

The real reason behind it is not about luggage size because they don’t even attempted to measure the size. Had they checked, they should have been aware that the luggage size of 190cm could not have been exceeded. Probably not even the size of 170cm being exceeded.
Luggage with total dimension between 170cm and 190cm require a luggage ticket to be bought. Luggage with total dimension under 170cm could be carried free. The size of a bicycle with both wheels taken off should in most cases not exceed 170cm, i.e. no luggage ticket should be required. Cyclists have been generous so they usually buy luggage tickets at KCRC’s request without questioning.

Here is the luggage regulations taken from KCRC's webpage:-

The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) will introduce new luggage regulations for East Rail and Ma On Shan Rail starting from 1 August 2005. The new regulations will require passengers to consign any piece of luggage whose total dimensions (width + height + depth) exceed 190cm.

The new “Conditions of carriage of luggage” are aimed at further improving passenger flow at stations and on trains, and enhancing passenger safety to ensure all passengers have a safe and comfortable journey.

There are three categories of luggage under the new regulations:

1. For luggage with total dimensions greater than 190 cm, consignment is required. (Under existing regulations, only luggage larger than 220 cm has to be consigned.)

2. For luggage with total dimensions between 170 cm and 190 cm, a luggage ticket is required.

3. Luggage with dimensions of 170 cm or below can be carried free-of-charge.

Actually the footprint of front wheel to rear wheel distance for road bikes is slightly less than 100cm. With front fork turned in the overall frame length is say 80cm. Height is about 50~55cm. Width is say 15cm with pedals removed. Total dimension 80cm + 55cm + 15cm = 150cm. This size also meet their additional restrcition of maximum 130cm for any one dimension (found posted in KCRC's station). So a fully disassembled bike should just fit within their luggage size limit without having to buy a ticket.

We have enough that on the one hand they constantly tell us how fair and kind they are, yet on the other hand we have always been subjected to injustice. Is someone lying about the whole issue?

-- Edited by kwyan at 13:15, 2005-10-31

WheelieFine · Member

As part of the HK Cycling Alliance action plan to get bikes allowed on the MTR, I've taken my bike with me on MTR trains several times recently.

Out of nine attempts, I was stopped three times. The usual reason given was the dimensions limit (80x60x30cm) but other staff tried to reference the MTRC by-law that says "shall not bring .. any .. thing .. causing a nuisance or inconvenience to other persons" or told me that wheeled things or ('bulky luggage') weren't allowed, or that the bike might 'roll down the train' and hit someone.

Interestingly, the only two times I wore a helmet (red) I was stopped. So it seems that keeping a low profile helps, either because they don't notice you on the CCTV, or they let you go.

Anyway, we want more than just a chance that we'll "get away with it". We want the fair right to use our public transport system.

wong · Member

Are we allowed to carry our bikes on buses here.

e.g. airport buses?

nurgles · Member

I think if you ask the companies formally the answer will be NO.However I have experience of catching the City Bus airport buses with no problem with the bike as it is .i.e not in a bag.

It often depeneds on the driver,On one occasion the bus came and was full so the driver said that there was another just behind so we waited.

However I know of cases where the bike in a box has been refused by Long Win when arriving at the airport.

I take my folder on KMB with no problem so far but have not tried with a bigger bike