Oh, are they going to allow bikes on trams now? That's a good idea

"Oh, are they going to allow bikes on trams now? That's a good idea"

Sheffield Cycle Campaign's [cardboard] bikes on trams event today was a great success: Designed to highlight the ease with which bicycles can be carried on trams, it brought friendly and supportive reactions & comments from members of the public. It was a humorous way to make a serious point. Two of the comments received:

Sheffield teenager: "That's cool" - referring to the hula-hoop & bamboo pole bicycle 'sculpture'
Pensioner: "Oh, are they going to allow bikes on trams now? That's a good idea"

Our tram conductor was interested & supportive, he even seemed disappointed that in last year's limited trial he hadn't had any
cyclists.

The life-size cardboard bicycles & sculptures fitted easily in the fold-down seating area opposite the wheelchair spaces - proving that wheelchairs, buggies & bikes can easily co-exist. It is absurd that even on a fairly empty tram on a Sunday (as they tend to be to Halfway or Middlewood), Supertram don't see fit to increase their revenue and green credentials by allowing bikes of the non-cardboard variety to travel.

One of the public transport anomalies in Sheffield is that you can't get to Worksop before 3pm on Sundays: With bikes on trams this becomes possible with a bike - tram to Halfway and cycle the pleasant route the rest of the way. Other possibilities include enabling a cycling day out at Rother Valley Country Park, or to catch the Bike Bus from Hillsborough out to Strines or Ladybower reservoir.

Councillors are also supportive of the campaigned-for facility on Supertram:

Lib Dem: Cllr Andrew Sangar: "Many tram systems across Europe allow bicycles on trams, it's time that Supertram followed their example and supported Sheffield cyclists."
Green: Cllr Bernard Little: "I am fully supportive of this initiative on the way towards a fully integrated and sustainable transport system for the city."

Labour: Cllr Peter Price: "It would be great if Supertram were more supportive & helpful in accomodating cyclists on the tram system, thus encouraging more cycle usage within our city."

Conservative: Cllr Michael Waters: "Cycling is absolutely vital to sustainable and environmentally friendly transport in Sheffield, and I would hope that Supertram would adopt a more flexible approach and at least allow bicycles on trams at non-crowded times as a start."

With a cross-party consensus like this, Supertram do need to review their current overly rigid stance. We hope to see some progress in this direction in the near future.