Touring - Bikes on swedish trains - info update

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imi
05-31-09, 10:05 AM
... in case your planning on touring sweden this summer

Previously it has been impossible to take your bike on swedish trains (SJ).

Between 14th June - 31st August you can now do this on SOME trains for 149 SEK (ca. 20 USD), with certain restrictions:

Check in 30 minutes before
No baggage, panniers etc on bike
Max four bikes/train (so get there early!)
Only Monday-Friday

More info: http://www.sj.se
and the trains: http://www.sj.se/content/1/c6/10/95/55/Tågnummer-cykelpåtåg.pdf


The swedish policy towards bikes is otherwise ridiculous (compared for example with the german, english, and most (all) other european train companies)... drop them a mail and complain!.. At the same time SJ pride themselves on their website as being eco-friendly... haha ;)

A step in the right direction though :)

chrisch
06-02-09, 03:25 AM
This is certainly a step in the right direction. Two years ago I had a hell of a time getting out of Sweden after cycling to Norrkoping. Thank goodness for Ryan Air!
Juha
06-02-09, 05:00 AM
Thanks for the update. The price is fairly steep, the restrictions (route related and others) are well, restrictive, but at least they're moving in the right direction.

Now, get the long distance bus line operators moving as well!

--J

girona
06-02-09, 12:06 PM
I didn't think other European countries had a ****ty train-bike policy like we do here in Spain. Especially surprising to hear that from Sweden.

I am about to go on a tour that I need to ride the train to get to the departing point and to get back home from the ending point. Here in Spain, the ability to take bikes on trains depends on the Employee's mood.
imi
06-02-09, 04:48 PM
Sweden used to have the best bike-train policy (free), then it changed to being impossible, so now maybe it's getting there again... I agree this does seem somewhat "unswedish"
The long distance busses don't take bikes, and unfortunately the old "I can charm the bus diver or train conductor into letting me take my bike anyway" just don't work any more... swedes are unfortunately getting more and more petty about regulations throughout the whole of society (IMO)... The polite "for your own safety" or "because the rules say so" can be the end of your charm offensive, and is as effective as putting a stick in your spokes as "NO! BASTA!" in italy! :(