Scotsman.com: Train and bike . . just the ticket

The most recent Transport 2000 survey has highlighted a host of problems people face if they are attempting to travel to railway stations by bicycle, including insecure cycle parking and the lack of safe routes to stations. This is something that must be addressed because bicycles and trains can be a great transport partnership if the conditions are right. Cycling to the station and then taking the train to work is a fast and efficient way to travel.

This is something that has already been highlighted abroad and plans for a new transport interchange in the Hague encompass 6000 cycle parking places. Another reason that we have to improve conditions is that, while not quite at Dutch levels yet, recent surveys by Spokes have shown that cycling in Edinburgh is definitely on the increase. For people who commute into Edinburgh by rail, cycling is a quick and cheap way of completing their journey.

I acknowledge that bikes go free on trains, but spaces to accommodate them are limited, particularly during the rush hour. However, the train/bicycle combination still works as long as there is a secure parking place at the station. In recent years, the amount of cycle parking at Waverley Station has been increased several times. Each time, more racks are added, they quickly fill up.

The current renovations have made life difficult and parking has been shifted several times for building works. Once the station works are completed, we at Spokes - the Lothian cycle campaign - hope that lots of cycle parking will be provided and that wheel ramps will be added to the steps leading out onto Calton Road. Taking another lesson from the Dutch, Spokes is also pushing for a secure cycle storage area, possibly combined with a hire and repair service.

Tourists as well as commuters would hire bicycles at the station. Haymarket Station is a different matter. There used to be cycle parking racks on one of the platforms but they were removed for “security reasons” and the parking relegated to outside the station.

This is a lot more complicated and time consuming and the parked bikes are a lot less secure. We hope those behind the plans to make Haymarket into a modern transport interchange don’t forget the potential for cycle parking. Most of the stations surrounding Edinburgh have cycle-parking stands and some also have the more secure cycle lockers, which can be hired by regular cycle commuters.

And while theft or vandalism can be an issue, security cameras will help to deter this. The theme for European Mobility Week (September 16-22) is critical commuting, highlighting how even small changes in travel patterns can make a massive difference for individuals and the planet. So if your regular commuter journey involves a train trip, we would urge you to take up the commuter challenge that week and mix bicycle and rail.

• Ian Maxwell is a member of Spokes. See www.spokes.org.uk for further details of cycling and trains