3 ms·

People do bring bikes on trains in Japan. The catch is that the bike must be in a bag. Many times, people use folding bicycles for journeys like this, because

People do bring bikes on trains in Japan. The catch is that the bike must be in a bag. Many times, people use folding bicycles for journeys like this, because those bikes can be folded down into very small dimensions, no bigger than a small suitcase. For full-size bikes, those are allowed too, but must be in a bag and disassembled. People don't do this so often because it's a PITA (and is still cumbersome even when disassembled), but it is an option.

ehnto 4y ago
I think this limits the impact of a loose bicycle on a train to the point where it is just luggage again. Where I live we can take bicycles on trains, and you can really only get two or three cyclists into a carriage before it becomes messy chaos. For our trains, cyclists can use the spot reserved for wheelchairs if there isn't one on board. If you need to get off and your bike is underneath other peoples it is a mess. Most people just stand with their bikes, and again if you got on in the wrong order it's a real pain to get a bike through the crowd. Bikes fall over all the time, and we take up a large amount of room. The shinkansen lines are different in that you book a seat, so I suppose they could have dedicated cycle storeage near the exit of the shinkansen, that you have to book with your ticket.
- midoridensha 4y ago
  "Messy chaos" won't work on the shinkansen: the train only stops very briefly at the station for boarding and disembarking. What you're describing in your country would never be tolerated. My understanding is that you can bring a bike (in a bag, disassembled) on board, and stow it near the end of the car behind the seats, but I've never tried it, nor have I seen it (but I've only ridden a handful of times so I'm no expert).
  - lmm 4y ago
    > My understanding is that you can bring a bike (in a bag, disassembled) on board, and stow it near the end of the car behind the seats, but I've never tried it, nor have I seen it (but I've only ridden a handful of times so I'm no expert). You can; on the busier lines you have to book the specific seats at the end of the carriages near the luggage space. It's better than nothing but it's a lot of faff.

ehnto 4y ago

I think this limits the impact of a loose bicycle on a train to the point where it is just luggage again. Where I live we can take bicycles on trains, and you can really only get two or three cyclists into a carriage before it becomes messy chaos. For our trains, cyclists can use the spot reserved for wheelchairs if there isn't one on board. If you need to get off and your bike is underneath other peoples it is a mess. Most people just stand with their bikes, and again if you got on in the wrong order it's a real pain to get a bike through the crowd. Bikes fall over all the time, and we take up a large amount of room. The shinkansen lines are different in that you book a seat, so I suppose they could have dedicated cycle storeage near the exit of the shinkansen, that you have to book with your ticket.

midoridensha 4y ago
"Messy chaos" won't work on the shinkansen: the train only stops very briefly at the station for boarding and disembarking. What you're describing in your country would never be tolerated. My understanding is that you can bring a bike (in a bag, disassembled) on board, and stow it near the end of the car behind the seats, but I've never tried it, nor have I seen it (but I've only ridden a handful of times so I'm no expert).
- lmm 4y ago
  > My understanding is that you can bring a bike (in a bag, disassembled) on board, and stow it near the end of the car behind the seats, but I've never tried it, nor have I seen it (but I've only ridden a handful of times so I'm no expert). You can; on the busier lines you have to book the specific seats at the end of the carriages near the luggage space. It's better than nothing but it's a lot of faff.