V/Line has announced that they will be running a number of extra express services to transport spectators to the upcoming UCI World Road Cycling Championships in Geelong. The extra services will run between Melbourne and Geelong with a total of 13 extra services on October 2nd for the womens road race and 42 extra services on October 3rd for the mens road race.
But it has also been announced that bikes will not be allowed on any trains on the Geelong line on October 2nd and 3rd. The reason given for this is to alleviate crowding at the Southern Cross and Geelong stations, but it would seem that V/Line has forgotten something: the event is a BIKE race.
Many of the spectators who will be coming to watch the World Champs will be those who frequently travel by bicycle, and they will be forced to leave their bikes at Southern Cross station. If they could bring their bike to Geelong they could then use it to easily get to a vantage point anywhere around the course, instead of adding to the masses on foot who will concentrate in central Geelong near the station.
Surely V/Line could find a solution so that people could bring their bikes on the train. Maybe some bike rider only trains, or partitioning of platforms and trains so that bikes are separated from the masses on foot?
The City of Greater Geelong and the 2010 UCI World Champs Organising Committee both encourage people to get around Geelong by bike during the event, but V/Line is not helping by not allowing any bikes on any Geelong trains during the main event days.
Extra train services on Saturday October 2nd:
- 6 additional trains from Melbourne to Geelong 10am and 1pm
- 7 additional trains from Geelong to Melbourne between 4:30pm and 7:50pm
Extra train services on Sunday October 3rd:
- 21 additional trains from Melbourne to Geelong 10am and 1pm
- 21 additional trains from Geelong to Melbourne between 4:10pm and 8pm
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