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Travelling with your bike

With so much beautiful countryside along the east coast, what better way to explore our favourite destinations than on a bike. Here's how you can reserve a space for yours on our trains.

Cycling can be a great way to start or finish a long distance train journey.

LNER is committed to supporting those who wish to cycle as part of their journey, and anyone cycling to or from a local train station.

Read our guide on travelling by train with a bike for advice on reserving a bike space on a train, cycle storage, and cycle hire at or near stations.

How to reserve a place on the train for your bike

With so much beautiful countryside along the east coast, what better way to explore our favourite destinations than on a bike. Here's how you can reserve a space for a bike on our trains.

To make sure everyone can travel safely, you must reserve a space for your bike before you board our trains.

You can make a free bike reservation on our website when booking your ticket or through our reservation tool above. This is currently limited to one bike per customer.
Don't worry, if you have booked your ticket but forgot to book a space for your bike, you can add a bike reservation to your existing booking through My Account.
The number of bike spaces on each train is limited. While our team will make every effort to get you on your way, you may be denied boarding if you try to travel with a bike and do not have a bike reservation.

Alternative ways to reserve a bike space

The easiest way to reserve a bike space is by booking directly through our website and adding a bike reservation during the booking or using our easy-to-use reservation tool.

However, if you are not able to make a bike reservation online we recommend using our live chat in the bottom right-hand corner of this page. You can also visit our station travel centres and book a bike space for your train if one is available. You can check the opening times here. Spaces are limited so we advise booking as early as possible.

National Rail information about travelling with your bike can be found here.

Electric bikes

You may bring your electric bike onboard and reserve a space as usual. However, you are not permitted to charge an electric bike on the train.

Petrol-powered vehicles such as mopeds are not allowed. This is due to petrol not being allowed to be carried on trains for health and safety reasons.

Additionally, we are not able to accommodate bikes that weigh more than 25kg, and staff may not be able to assist in lifting heavy items.

Folding bikes

If you have a Brompton-style folding bike, you can store it along with the luggage in passenger accommodation, so there’s no need to reserve a space for it.

But please fold your bike before boarding and don’t unfold until you (and it) are off the train. Unfortunately, we can’t carry non-folding bikes on any replacement coach services if there's a problem with your train.

E-scooters

E-scooters are NOT permitted on most trains in the UK. If you try to board an LNER train with an e-scooter, you will not be allowed to travel and will be asked to return without an e-scooter.

For more information, visit our e-scooter page.

E-scooters

Larger bikes:

If your bike tyres are wider than 5.5cm it may be necessary to let air out of your front tyre to store your bike in the racks.
If there is another bike in the storage area and your bike handle bars are 70cm or over you may need to store your bike by the rear wheel.
If your bike has tyres measuring over 7.4cm or rims deeper than 50mm, you will need to remove the front wheel for storage, you will be required to book out two bike spaces.
If your bike has tyres measuring over 7.4cm or rims deeper than 50mm, you’ll need to book two bike spaces by using our live chat. If you’ve already reserved one space when booking your ticket, use our live chat to speak to a colleague about adding another reservation.

Tandems up to 2.5m in length with both wheels removed can also be stored onboard. They must have two bike reservations.

Unfortunately, we do not have the space to carry Tricycles, cycle trailers or double deck cycles.

Bikes at the station and boarding

At the station

Please dismount from your bike before you enter the station.
If you’re leaving your bike at the station, please use the racks/cupboards provided. All bikes are left at your own risk and LNER accepts no liability for bikes or contents left at the station.
For security reasons, please don’t leave bags or panniers attached – we reserve the right to inspect the contents of any bike panniers and bags that are left in the cycle park.
Arrive at least 10 minutes before your train is due to leave to give yourself plenty of time to find the right location on the platform from which to board with your bike – make yourself known to our team on the platform and they will assist you with finding the right boarding point
Please ensure the bike complies with LNER guidelines and that you have a valid bike reservation for the train you're boarding.

Boarding

When directed by our station staff, load your bike onto the train, into the dedicated Bike storage space, securing the bike using the brackets provided.
If you wish, you may place a lock and chain around your bike, however, please ensure this is not attached to any equipment within the storage compartment
Before arriving at your destination, walk through the train to the area closest to where your bike is stored and, when directed, remove your bike from the train as quickly as possible.

Bike storage and hire

If you're unable to book a bike space or you only need a bike for part of your journey, there are other options.

Leave your bike at the station

All of the stations we serve (except Sunderland) have bike storage facilities. You can check bike storage facilities for any station on the National Rail website.

Cycle hire schemes

Cycle hire schemes are available near several of our stations, including London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Dundee.

There are also a range of local businesses that provide commercial bike hire services near our stations.

FAQs

Can I make a bike reservation?

You can make a free bike reservation on our website. Simply make a free bike reservation here. Please note, this is currently limited to one bike per customer.

Alternatively, you can add a bike reservation to your booking through My account.

How to cancel or change your seat or bike reservation

If you no longer need your reservation or you wish to travel on a different train and your ticket allows it, you can cancel this easily in your account area and reserve a new seat or bike space.

If needed, reserve your new seat or bike space
Go to My account and My bookings
Choose the reservation you no longer need
Click on 'See all reservations under this booking' and tap 'View or cancel'

Cancel a reserved seat or bike space

Can I leave my bike at the station?

Each station we serve (except Sunderland) already includes at least some facilities for storing privately owned bikes. Customers can check any station’s bike facilities at nationalrail.co.uk.

Do I need to book a space for a folding bike?

No, Brompton-style folding bikes can be taken onboard and stored in a designated luggage area. They must remain folded at all times and not obstruct any passengers or wheelchair spaces.

What is the bike weight limit?

We can accommodate bikes up to 25kg. However, customers should be aware that non-folding cycles are stored vertically, and staff may not be able to assist in lifting heavy items.

Can I charge my eBike onboard?

No. The charging of eBikes onboard is not permitted for safety reasons.

Can I travel with a tricycle or a double deck cycle?

Unfortunately we do not have the space to carry Tricycles, cycle trailers or double deck cycles. However, tandems are accepted if they conform to the following specifications and have two reservations: 100cm in height x 60cm in width x 260cm

Can I take my bike with me onboard the train?

Travelling with LNER?

Yes, we love to be green so you can carry your bike free of charge on LNER trains. You can make a reservation online when you book your ticket. If you booked elsewhere or already have your ticket, you can now make a reservation on our seat and bike reservation tool.

Please note that spaces are limited and subject to availability.

Travelling with another train operator?

If you're travelling with another train operator on your journey you will need to check their policy. You can do this by visiting the National Rail website.

Travelling with your bike