British Cyclists Find Its an Uphill Battle to Skirt Bike Ban on Trains

LONDON — Cyclists trying to beat a ban on bringing their bicycles aboard commuter trains Friday broke a bike to pieces, wore another bike as a hat and carried still another aboard in a giant envelope.

But rail guards stood firm, allowing only the broken-up bike aboard after ascertaining that it fit into the overhead baggage rack.

The cyclists came to London’s St. Pancras Station to protest a ban by state-owned British Rail on carrying bikes onto commuter trains.

Simon Banks wrapped his bicycle in a sealed bag and tried to pass it off as personal baggage but was turned back.

One man wrapped his bike in an envelope and called it mail, and another balanced his bicycle on his head and said it was his hat. Both were turned away.

British Rail says bicycles obstruct the aisles on the crowded commuter lines.