Iarnród Éireann to get tough on bikes carried on commuter trains

Commuters bringing bicycles onto Iarnród Éireann trains outside of permitted hours are to face a new get-tough policy from Monday.

However, in a piece of good news for the cycling community the company has said reservations for bicycles on intercity services - which currently cost about €6 - will in future be offered for free.

Iarnród Éireann said numbers of bicycles being carried on commuter trains during peak hours had started to rise significantly, with bicycles blocking doorways, passages and representing a potential health and safety risk.

The company intends to crack down first on cyclists using the routes into Heuston Station to ensure that commuters arriving in the city between 7am and 9.30am are not allowed to bring their bicycles with them.

Similarly Iarnród Éireann will not allow commuters with bike to board trains at Heuston between 4pm and 7pm. An exception will be those using intercity trains where bicycle spaces have been booked into a limited number of spaces in advance. In addition, fold-up bikes are welcomed on all services at all times.

Iarnród Éireann said the rules were "consistent with peak rail operations in most European countries", and that extensive bicycle parking facilities were available at stations. Fourteen stations have secure bicycle lockers available for rent in the Dublin area, including Heuston Station. Full information at bikelocker.ieTwo new Dublin Bikes stations are now in place at Heuston Station.

“This policy will be strictly enforced from Monday 19th October on Heuston routes, and this will be extended to all routes in due course,” a spokesman said.