Can I just reiterate my quotes and comments here as I seem to have wrongly misquoted other posters...
158801- absolutely on the button.
Crossover - was referring to your second post. And my subsequent comments were generalised and not aimed at you in any way. Didn't even see the first one which 158801 responded to which I misquoted as being you! I just saw the safety first bit, and somehow both of your statements got *ahem* crossed over! Forgive me, I'm on late airport runs and was a bit more bleary eyed than I thought when I first posted!!!!
As a tail lamp I have had situations where cyclists have put themselves and other rail users in danger for the sake of getting themselves on the train. I have seen cyclists throw their bikes through train doors that were closing so they could force their way on. Cyclists race arriving trains so they can be on the right part of the platform, but in the process swerve to avoid passengers and nearly end up under the train. I have had unnecessary arguments with cyclists who have been unable to board because the train was full who have insisted they had a right to be on that train. Cyclists service their bikes on the train and the associated mess they created. Biked dumped in doorways and abandoned while the cyclist sat at the opposite end of the train for that cycle to then fall on a passenger trying to board. I have even had cyclists complain about me refusing to let them travel and accuse me of having a bad attitude, despite rearranging seating layouts and finding a way to accommodate that very same cyclist and allowing them to travel. Don't even get me started on the issues I have with the teenaged matt Hoffman types who travel from Chester le street with big egos bad attitudes, abusive and disruptive. Recently I was suspended from duty because I took a hard stance on individuals who I considered were putting themselves in danger and refused them travel. While I was praised for my stance on safety, I was criticised for my handling of the situation and my behaviour and attitude. Which was fair enough I guess, but understandable based on what actions and behaviour i have witnessed.
Now I am very proactive and will accommodate what I feel is safe. if i can get 5 on safely, ill do it. and I will actively assist cyclists on the train using coach A if necessary as long as I can do it safely. And the vast majority of cyclists will board safely, stow their bikes appropriately, and will gladly accept the assistance. Especially if passengers who think they have paid for a seat are in their way! Not all conductors will tho, They will stick to the rules. I just don't want to be blamed, called a jobsworth, or suffer any unnecessary aggravation because I have to leave the cyclist behind! At the same time, there are regulations and byelaws that cyclists should stick to, and the minority that don't give those that do a poor reputation.
