§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the future of carriage of bicycles by rail following privatisation; and if the will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanWe have received a number of representations from cycling organisations and others.
We expect private sector rail operators to be more responsive to the demands of all their passengers, 287W including cyclists. Following a meeting I had with the cycling groups recently, they have agreed to produce a pamphlet explaining the commercial opportunity cyclists present to the operators of rail services and the ways in which services can be made more attractive to cyclists. I have agreed to bring this pamphlet to the attention of prospective franchisees.