Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what incentives they use during the franchise bidding process to encourage Train Operating Companies to improve facilities for carrying bicycles on trains.

The Department recognises the value in the integrated use of cycles and trains, which are two convenient and environmentally friendly forms of transport.

The Department, Network Rail and train operators are working to provide adequate bicycle facilities to encourage passengers to use bikes from the start to finish of their journeys.

We expect our franchisees to ensure that their trains meet the needs of their passengers - including the storage of cycles and luggage - with appropriate interior layouts and seating configurations. Where the Department identifies a specific need, it sets requirements on its franchisees to provide space on its trains for the carriage of bicycles.