Trams to extend bikes on board trial

For just under a month now it has been possible for you to take a bike on a tram and now Edinburgh Trams have announced that the bike trial has been extended for the duration for June.

This follows a successful test period in May when around 10 bikes a day were brought on board.   York Place proved to be the most popular boarding point, with almost one third of recorded journeys starting there.

Feedback will continue to be gathered by Edinburgh Trams from cyclists and other passengers and can be given by contacting customer services.

Tom Norris, Director and General Manager, Edinburgh Trams said: “We’ve listened to feedback from our passengers we are pleased to extend the bike trial through to the end of June because it seems to be working really well.  The feedback we have received has been positive and normal operational services have not been negatively affected with the trial.”

Lesley Hinds, Chair, Transport for Edinburgh said: “Extending the trial will allow us more time to gather further feedback from cyclists and passengers, which will in turn give us the information to make a confident decision regarding allowing bike on trams as part of our conditions of carriage in the future.”

During the extended trial passengers can bring their bikes on board from 0500 until 07:30 in the morning and between 09:30 – 16:00 and 18:30- 23:00 Monday to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday with the exception of carriage of cycles not being permitted on 18 – 23 June due to the Highland Show and Foo Fighters concert.

Trial details:

• Cycles will not be allowed on trams during pre-publicised special events.

• On board staff retain the discretion to prevent cyclists from boarding with bikes if they deem a tram to be too busy.

• Passengers must stay with their bikes throughout the journey, holding them in order to ensure they don’t move during transit.

• Cyclists should position themselves at the centre section (marked on platform by a disabled logo tile) of the tram and take guidance from on-board staff.

• Only two bikes will be allowed on each tram and in the specified locations on board during the trial.

• Passengers with disabilities or those with prams or buggies are to take priority with regards to space.