Trains and bikes
Lewes is a railway hub. The train-bike combination still offers a real door-to-door alternative to car travel in many situations and it is a great pity that the lack of cycle storage on the new trains has led to irritating peak-time restrictions. Using bike and train for commuting is now almost impossible unless you have a folding bike, but the services towards Brighton, Haywards Heath, Seaford, Eastbourne and Ashford widen the scope for bike excursions at off-peak times and weekends.
- You can take bikes free of charge on Southern trains in all directions from Lewes, except on trains towards London and Brighton during the weekday morning and evening rush hours (arriving in London or Brighton between 7am and 10am or leaving there between 4pm and 7pm) when only folding bikes are allowed
- Look for the special carriages marked with a cycle symbol which have spaces for bikes. There are also wheelchair spaces which cyclists may use, but wheelchair users have priority. You may have to take a later train if these carriages are already full. Note that the direct trains to Ashford have only two carriages so be prepared to squeeze up
- Check before you travel about weekend engineering works - you won't be able to take bikes on the special replacement bus services. Lewes railway station has information or you can call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or look up the Southern Railway website
- Southern Railways has a moderately helpful Frequently-Asked Questions section about their cycle policy
- For general information on public transport from Lewes, see Travel Log Lewes, a meticulously researched website compiled by Chris Smith, a Cycle Lewes member.