Page last changed November 29, 2000

Regional information concerning folder transport

Aboard ground public transport

Custfold, Sep 1998:
The Bikemap.com site run from Philly is pretty good at giving details on bikes with most forms of transport too.

Belgium

• Folder folders are allowed on trains at all times provided they are in a bag or suitcase. Bromptons fit backs of seats in most carriages (but not in the middle carriage of grey triple carriage trains). I have never been questioned about carrying a Brompton, whether bagged or not.
  Someone was once fined 500BEF for displaying a naked Bike Friday.

France

• Pierre Virlogeux, Aug 1997:
  I take my Brompton on different public transports in France always uncovered even at peak hours but I don't know exactly the regulation :
  • in TGV ( French High speed trains )
  • in French normal trains
  • in Paris underground railways and Paris RER ( subburb trains )
  • in Toulouse buses where I leave
  • in Toulouse underground.
  The drivers or the public transport employees said generally "No you are not allowed to take a bicycle" when I roll it on the platform if it is unfolded. But if I fold it behind then they smile and they said " OK you can !" In the TGV ( HST ) there is a good thing to do : put it in the luggage compartiment near the door and lock it at the luggage frame and go to your seat. I don't know if it is allowed or not to lock it, but I do it several times and nobody said anything about it.
• Phil Gough, Aug 1997:
  I was permitted to put the two halves of a disassembled AM Moulton in this vestibule area, whereas prior to splitting it there had been an outbreak of shock horror by the jobsworth official. Even though the two unbagged halves took up the same space as two unsplit bikes would have. The key word seemed to be "demontable".
• Mark Hodson, Aug 97:
  Question for the French contingent - The other day I took a train from The Hague to Haarlem which turned out to be the overnight Paris-Amsterdam "mobile youth hostel". The coach I was in was a SNCF corail type, and had a little fenced-off area just inside the doors. As I was getting out, I noticed there was a pictogram by this area that looked as though it was meant to be a folding bike being put into/removed from a bag. Do French railways really provide a special stowage area just for Bromptons? (I didn't try it out, as there was ample space in the baggage rack inside the seating area, where I could keep an eye on it.)
• Velovot, Nov 1999:
  There's no problem bringing a Brompton aboard. However, it is a bit tricky to get self and bike through the pneumatic turn-styles in one smooth move. They close up pretty fast!

Germany

• Axel Engler, Aug 1997:
  Yes, in the Greater Frankfurt Area! Off-peak all bikes, during peak-hours only folded bikes. No extra-charge!
• Mark Maier, Jul 1998:
  The rules in Germany are: Whatever is recognisable as a bike has to be treated as a bike. This can mean it a) is not allowed in this train or b) needs an extra ticket.
• Roland Elsenberg, Nov 1999:
  Here in Germany there is enough room in Interregios (slow long distance) and ICE ("high" speed, no laughs from France or Japan please...). In the double-deckers (short distance) even the Brompton bag does not fit the overhead bin. Only trouble I had so far was at a counter, where I bought my ticket with the unfolded Brompton. The clerk insisted I had to buy a ticket for a bicyle even if it was a children's bike. Folding and covering the Brompton convinced him.

Netherlands

• Milan van Tuin, Aug 1997:
  In the Netherlands you can take your folding bike on any train. I always fold my Brompton to a minimum but I notice that some people leave their folding bikes unfolded and it doesn't seem to bother anyone. I travel everyday from Amsterdam to Leiden and every day I see more and more Bromptons. At least a few times a week I'll have to demonstrate the Brompton to people who are curious about that little package. I take my Brompton everywhere, into the supermarket, cinema, bars, restaurants, etc. I never had any complaints. friend has been thrown off the train so the move has started. So much for Greening and integration of the rail/bicycle networks. It would lead to people using Bromptons more (or not cycling).
• Custfold, Sep 1997:
  Apparently folding bikes are not allowed on Dutch buses on safety grounds (a campaign on this anyone?).
• mhodson, Nov 1999:
  Someone mentioned carrying a dismantled and wrapped 27" bike on trains - it might be interesting to note that the general carriage conditions of Dutch Railways (NS) make a specific exclusion for disassembled racing bikes, which are treated as bicycles and not as luggage. (Though I doubt if there would be any way to object if it were wrapped so as not to be identifiably a bike.)
  Folding cycles are treated as luggage provided that they satisfy certain requirements which NS may publish separately (ie they can change the rules arbitrarily without consultation).
  Conductors also have the right to refuse a folding bike (or any other luggage) if it inconveniences or endangers other passengers or occupies a seat.
  Since the space provided for luggage in Dutch trains is minimal, even the Brompton normally has to stay in the vestibule, where it is probably obstructing a tip-up seat, so this rule could - if enforced pedantically - make it impossible to carry folders on busy rush-hour trains. Fortunately things don't seem to have got that far yet. If they enforced it, they would also have to object to people travelling to and from Schiphol Airport with large suitcases, which don't fit in the luggage racks either.
• Nico J. de Boer, Nov 1999:
  Don't be too sure of that: the conductors once spotted mine right through its wrappings, and sent me off at the next station (which luckily was my destination anyway).
• Frank Abbing, Nov 1999:
  In most dutch trains most seats are mounted back-to-back. In some of these trains there is a rather narrow luggage slot in between those seats. In this slot you can just fit a Brompton!
  • Mark Hodson, Nov 1999:
    In my experience this only works in the newish double-decker "Inter-Regio" sets (1st class on the lower deck is best). In the older ICR ("Koploper") trains the gap is just that bit too small, and in local trains it's hopeless.
  • Roland Elsenberg, Nov 1999:
    I recently travelled from Venlo to Nijmegen in a new Diesel-powered unit. There my T5 fitted between the seats even without the top part of the extended seat pillar collapsed. I never had trouble with the Nederlandse Spoorwegen.

UK

• Osbert Lancaster, Aug 1997:
  I have had no problem taking my (uncovered) Brompton on Scotrail (Scottish regional train company) trains. [...] Also no problem on Lothian Regional Transport buses in Edinburgh.
• Andrew D. Mackay, Aug 1997:
  Here in London there seems (so far) to be no problem to taking Bromptons on the various privatised railways. I have often been challenged and when I collapse the bike or explain that it is a folding bike the guards let me through. In fact I hardly lift or wheel the bike folded at all because I wheel it fully expanded onto the platforms and into the hospital where I work.
  Recently an ominous sign has appearred at the ticket barrier saying that on the new trains (ones that have automatically closing doors) bicycles will not be allowed on during rush hour at the discretion of the guard.
• Custfold, Sep 1997:
  The folding bike is specifically mentioned in the Blue Pages of the UK rail timetable by North London Railways, who limit the carriage of folding bikes to 1 per vestibule area (when the conductor spots them).
• John R. Bolt, Sep 1998:
  If I take the train home with the Brompton, it rides reasonably inconspicuously in the large entrance "foyer" (well, I don't know what else to call it) of the model of electric commuter train used in this part of Chicago. As long as it is covered, it generally doesn't cause any undue conductorial excitment, because the train crew think of it as luggage. On the few occasions when I have carried it uncovered on the commuter trains, it has usually passed without trouble, but a couple of times the conductor began hyperventilating, got all puffed up, and informed me stiffly that bicycles were not allowed on the train. Once a conductor put me and the little guy off at the next stop. (It was my stop anyway, so I assumed the Bre'r Rabbit posture--please, please don't throw me into the briar patch!). So for me, the cover is a vital accessory.
• Custfold, Sep 1998:
  One essential factor is the knowledge of the company's conditions of carriage which, since most conductors/drivers rarely see folding bikes, is unlikely to have been in their ken on the relevant clauses. For National Express in the UK - all bikes are carried but must be in a bag or case (Clause 8.1 para 2 page 44 of curent fares handbook) - although the crew rarely insist if the space is available. The old SMT company conditions generally have transferred - and most local buses take me & the bike. The Glasgow Subway (Clockwork Orange/Shoogle) requires a few devious moves to avoid detection by ticket window staff. The Animals & Accompanied Articles agreed conditions 1996 I think still applies to all UK train operators, and specifically IIRC (Rob?) Clause 7.5, which usually shuts up any jobsworth, although they can make life miserable (Hi Conductor Pat C... of GNER) by always coming to your door to work the control panel and making jobsworth comments each time they pass along the train.
• john_carss, Oct 1998:
  I've been travelling from Newcastle to London almost once a week for the last 2 years on GNER and have never had my Brompton covered.
  My preferred place of storage is between the 2 sets of seats which back to back. I've also stored it on luggage rack with no problem, both ends and the central area.
  No conductor has ever questioned my bike.
• Peter Amey, Oct 1998:
  I haven't seen anywhere where covering is explicitly required; however, the local bus company seem to have a "driver's discretion" rule about folders. Most don't mind at all, some are positively enthusiastic but I do regularly encounter one driver who is very unpleasant if the Brompton is not covered. His objection, and I quote literally here, is that "the smell of oil on the bike chain makes him feel ill and he can't drive". (This from someone who regularly drives an ancient bus reeking of diesel in Bath traffic!). I routinely cover the bike on buses (unless I am on a route where I know there will be a luggage rack and where I won't meet that driver) but do not cover on trains. My motive is that if someone complains about a bike then a ruling against them might be made (this being how the bureaucratic mind works) and we would all suffer.
• David Edge, Nov 1998:
  It is a formal requirement on Central Trains. Missus has _severe_ abuse from one jobsworth in hundreds of journeys.
• Rob Cope, Nov 1998:
  Err... folks, the 2 are unconnected! Unless the NCC have been expanded since my copy (Jan 96), which I doubt: all train operators (TOCs) signed up for these as part of their franchising agreements. All stations must have the NCC available for inspection, many will give you a copy on request (it is only a 24 page booklet).
  Bicycles of any sort are only mentioned in section 61 which covers parking at stations. There are various sections on accompanied luggage, which can be broadly summarised as "the TOC will carry such luggage as it will carry". Your ticket entitles *you* to travel. There is no absolute *right* to accompanied luggage of any kind in the NCC.
  However, these are simply the minimum all TOCs must provide: they are free to offer more but covered by each TOC's own conditions. Bike carriage falls into this area.
  Each TOC's policy is summarised in the front of the national (Railtrack) timetable. Not surprisingly, these are still broadly similar to those inherited from BR, which is where the cover reference comes from. The Folder/A2B pressed successfully for TOCs to mention folding bikes on their pages, less successfully for the cover stipulation to be dropped. Some (eg Silverlink) have dropped it, Wales & West intriguingly says "...fully folded *or* covered". Most retain the cover reference but very rarely enforce it.
  For non-collapsibles: after much lobbying, the BR cycle-space booking system was retained so that one UKP3 booking fee should cover all (bookable) cycle spaces required on any continuous single journey. This was not guaranteed to continue indefinitely but I have heard no threat to it and would hope that even the TOCs are not stupid enough to start making trouble.
  The above only covers the former BR network, now sometimes referred to as National Railways (NR) and incidentally not including Heathrow Express. London Underground has a separate policy, not mentioning covers. Docklands Light Rail bans all bikes, but seems happy with folders that are kept out of the way. Nexus (Tyne & Wear) has started from a complete bike-ban, now exempting certain brands of folder. See the A2B website for details.
  Notwithstanding the complete absence of folder references, the NCC make useful reading espec re your right to use First if Standard is full (s.36); breaking journeys (s.15); duty of any TOC to assist if you are stranded by another (s.43)...
• Alasdair Baxter, Nov 1998:
  I remember this happening when I was reading law at university. The class were studying "ticket cases" and the tutor (tongue on cheek) suggested that we do this. It caused quite a furore. The drivers didn't have copies and head office had to have an urgent print run. Aberdeen city buses were put into chaos while all these law students stood on the step stating that they could not be held to conditions which they had no possibility of reading before entering into the contract with the bus operator.
  The interesting question is whether you are entitled to hold up the bus to read the conditions (usually a lengthy document) even if they do have them. The simple answer would be to post them on the bus stops but that is too much like common sense for Britain's bus companies.
  BTW, I have checked at the highest level with Nottingham City Transport about taking my Brompton on their buses and was told it was OK so long as I put it in the luggage/pushchair compartment.
• Custfold, Nov 1998:
  Following from MacEwan's (Dumfries) announcing that new Dumfries-Stranraer buses that have large holds to accommodate bikes, Wrights (bus builders) announce (and printed in Bus & Coach Professional) that the new bendybus for First Group has 2 wide doors to assist boarding with wheelchairs, buggies, and... Folding Bikes.
  Is the tide turning? Lets talk it up, Swanbrook Coaches Oxford-Gloucester, Oxford Tube Oxford-London, United Counties Oxford-Cambridge, First Cymru Tenby-Bath etc very soon we should be able to stage our own Rack 'n' Roll tour like the guys in Seattle who covered Seattle - San Francisco (900 miles) in 8 days by riding the bikes (300 miles) and the transit systems (600 miles). Now how about an end to end by cycling to the bus, and between the buses....
• Custfold, Nov 1998:
  
  1. With the advent of automatic opening doors, central aisles in the saloons, and generous vestibule areas using a brompton on a train is no longer as dificult as it used to be. With the IC225 stock it should be possible to ride from Coach A to coach G without having to dismount, unless the conductor asks you to.....
     Then again on the HK MTR the cars have continuous gangway.
     But
     
  2. I don't know about 6-abreast <5 surely in UK, we're never that friendly> suburban coaches but other slam door stock with back-to-back seats can take a Brompton between the seat backs as long as you push the saddle all the way down.
     One reason why any serious commuter should always get the extending seatpost - is to remove the saddle fast - it makes an immense improvement to the ease of pushing the bike between seat backs.
• Dave H, Jul 1998:
  I was once (incorrectly) told by a GW trains conductor I should theoretically pay for carriage of my folded Brompton. After reason failed I insisted that I would pay, and while about it I would have his name and number; this brought about a change of tone whereby I repeated my insistance on paying. Finally he brought along the Senior Conductor who on having the problem explained confirmed that there was in fact no requirement at all to pay for the folded bike! I recently had a similar experience on a New Jersy Transit train but being less clear on the requirements for holding a (free) bicycle permit did not push the issue as the conductor appeared fairly easy going.
• David Hansen, Jun 2000:
  [Bromptons] do fit in the luggage racks of just about all trains. They don't fit in the bottom of Class 170 racks, but do fit in the top - very stupid. They are a bit of a fiddle in a Mark II coach as part of the rack is just too low, but they fit higher up the rack.
  They will fit between the seat backs on most long distance trains, unfortunately seats arranged in this way are becoming rarer.
• Jeff Dauvin, Jun 2000:
  On British trains you SHOULD NOT use the overhead rack which have a warning about large/heavy luggage - they are too small. 158/159s have very good racks for up to 20 Bromptons per carriage if no else has any luggage! Connex slam doors only have the guards van - you can take the bike in the carriage if there are not too many passengers & use the floor space for 2 seats. Wessex Electrics as for Connex but have wheel chair access/space in carriage "D" (1st Class = A) which I use a lot.

Hungary

• Andras Toth, Oct 1999:
  I have been using my folded but uncovered Brompton without any problems on the public transport system in Budapest (Hungary) for one year now, mostly in the subway. However, I was constantly afraid of being spotted by security guards and thrown out. This fear is gone now! A couple of weeks ago a reporter from a popular Hungarian TV channel, RTL Klub came up to me in the subway and asked if he could make an interview for their evening magazine, Fókusz. What interested him was first and foremost how a bicycle can be "smuggled" on the subway, where they are otherwise strictly forbidden. In order to be able to shoot the interview, we had to ask the transport company authorisation to proceed, which they granted only after it was proven that the folded bicycle does not exceed the official size limit for hand luggage. As a result, the previously ambiguous status of my bicycle was cleared, so that thanks to this interview I now have an official permission to take the Brompton on public transport vehicles in Budapest.

Europe

• T.Lawson, Sep 1998:
  Readers may be interested in some recent experience we had riding with uncovered Bromptons on various European trains as part of an InterRail holiday. Over the course of three weeks we carried a pair of uncovered Bromptons plus front and saddle bags on
  Valley Lines - South Wales Great Western Railways - Cardiff to London and back London Underground Eurostar - London to Brussels and back Belgian Railways intercity - to various places in Belgium Belgian Railways international - Brussels to Amsterdam and back Netherlands Railways intercity trains - to various places in Holland Netherlands Railways international - Amsterdam to Cologne Deutsche Bahn intercity - Cologne to Munster and Hamburg, and back Deutsche Bahn international - Hamburg to Copenhagen and back Danish Railways suburban services - in an around Copenhagen
  over 40 train journeys in all. On only two occasions was "Conductorial Excitement" encountered.
  Every train on the Copenhagen suburban system has lots of space for conventional bicycles, but they aren't carried free. On seeing a pair of unfolded Bromptons, a rather stern conductor asked for our bike tickets, but dissolved into giggles when we started folding them up, and went off down the carriage laughing.
  On most of the international trains the Bromptons slotted unnoticed into the floor-level luggage space between back-to-back seats, but the Deutsche Bahn Intercity between Munster and Cologne had compartment carriages and the only place they would fit was the corridor. The conductor on the outward journey had no problem with this, but on the way back a humourless jobs-worth informed us that all uncovered bikes incurred a 12 Mark charge whether they folded or not, and harassed us until we coughed up.
  Minor annoyances aside, we had a terrific time, due in no small part to the accompanying Bromptons. InterRailing with a Brompton opens up all sorts of possibilities, as you might imagine. - Highly recommended.
• T.Lawson, Oct 1998:
  Out of Belgian, British, Danish, Dutch, and German railways, and Eurostar, I've only found it to be enforced on the Germans, and then only on one occasion.

• Doug Faunt, Aug 1997:
  

  BART [San Francisco Bay Area Rail? Transport] staff also surprised us with a heavyhanded restriction on taking folding bikes past the faregate. We are opposing this unfair burden on those should be able to wheel their bike to the platform before folding it to board the train.

  Robert Raburn (510) 433-RIDE East Bay Bicycle Coalition PO Box 1736 Oakland CA 94604

  This is an interesting little bit of folding bike news from the San Francisco Bay area. What are the rules about on the platform vs. actually on the train in various other places?
  I was hassled by a BART agent because I had the handle bars unfolded, and was wheeling it around on the in-line skate wheels I have put on the front of the rack on my T5.
  Spidra Webster, Aug 1997:
  I definitely agree with fighting BART on this. I have made the argument that they were not accomodating my disability (two different forms of RSI) by making me lift that heavy weight before I absolutely had to. I'm only slightly satisfied that they will lay off if I carry a doctor's note...

• Robert Renger, Aug 97:
  In Vancouver the BC Transit staff take pleasure in advising that even a folded Brompton is bicycle enough not to be allowed on the SkyTrain, even off-peak in virtually empty cars. Covered they don't seem to mind.
• Phil Gough, Aug 1997:
  The London Underground rule requires folding bikes to be bagged, but I have only once in scores of journeys been challenged on this. Generally my Bromptonm goes folded but naked. extra-charge!
• Jeff Stone, Aug 1997:
  I take my uncovered Brompton on Santa Clara County buses (in the Silicon Valley). I was only challenged once by a bus driver, but I hypnotically informed him that he was in the wrong. Many bus drivers are amused or curious about the bike. Seems like trains are alot roomier than buses, and I really don't see what legitimate excuse they have to ban folded bikes.
• Custfold, Aug 1997:
  IIRC you can take cumbersome bikes on Santa Clara LRT and buses, as set out in a leaflet - buried somewhere in my gravitational filing system. They also get a mention in TCRP4 Bikes on Transit from the FHwA/TRB/APTA.. SEPTA, and WMATA leaflets IIRC also show folders unbagged going on board - a Peugeot Nouveau Style - excellent ride but a bit heavy came c/w dynamo, and f/r racks.
• Steven M. Scharf, Sep 1998:
  In the San Francisco Bay Area, BART allows folding bikes at all times, uncovered, no extra charge.
  CalTrain requires folding bikes be covered though this may change. 24 regular bikes are allowed on each train, and some trains have expanded to 48 bikes per train (though it is not guaranteed). They eliminated the back to back seats so there is no place to store a folder, but it is rare on CalTrain to not get a double seat to yourself.
• Paul Brady, Nov 1999:
  On NJ transit trains in the printed schedule it states that folding bikes are permited on all trains at all times. I have never been hassled by the conductors.
  -But-
  The PATH train is a different story. The train is so crowded at rush hour that I have stopped taking the Bromie on at these times. It is just to much to fit into the packed trains in the AM/PM. So I take the ferry to get to NJ from the city. Then I ride to Journal Square. This stop has much less people on it from there to Newark were I catch the NJ transit train. So i get a little extra mileage doing it this way, and I think it takes about the same amount of time. It cost 1 dollar more but it is worth it. Also I dont have to carry the bike out of the World Trade Center. This makes life easier on the way in.
• Velovot, Jan 2000:
  I have ridden Amtrack between Oakland and Sacramento California. There was no problem. The bike easily fit in the luggage rack. I think, as in most situations, it's best to have the bike seen in the folded state. Then the observer's brain registers a ho-hum "odd luggage" and not rules-rules-rules image of "bicycle!'
  I know that David and Jane Henshaw (of A to B fame) took Amtrack from the East Coast to Los Angeles with no problems.
• Deborah Eacock, Jan 2000:
  I have taken my Brompton T-5 on Amtrak several times in California. They are very accomodating to bikes - no extra charge. An older Folder magazine mentioned a conductor in San Diego that used a Brompton to scoot along the platform.
  The double-level trains have special hooks to hang a regular bike, but this area is near a door, away from the seats. There are shelves and areas between the seats. I take my folded, covered Brompton upstairs with no problem nor the slightest objection from the conductors. I have a shoulder strap on the front pannier bag.
  The single level trains have baggage areas for regular bikes, and luggage closets near the doors. The folded B easily fit in the closet, but you need to schlepp it up the stairs and down the aisle. It also fits in the overhead rack.
  For some places, Amtrak uses a bus. These are quite comfortable and prompt. Luggage goes underneath. I stand the folded T-5 between soft-sided luggage, or take it inside if the bus is not crowded.
• Custfold, Jan 2000:
  One of the reasons many have the Brompton is that it goes without any special fuss with any type of transport. The Brompton & trailer went all round the US by Amtrak, Southwest Airlines, Greyhound, or was it Peter Pan in 1989, it went in the room in all the hostels (DC included). The only hassle happened one year when taking the whole rig down the escalator in Penn Station NY (as it is easier to keep bike & trailer as one unit when moving around.
  All you need to kinow whatever transport you use is the conditions of carriage which turn the folded bike into a 'suitcase'
  BTW it fits the overhead racks in most Metroliner cars on East Coast and San Diegans.and for the lazy it also fits the bike racks on most buses.
• Paul Brady ATT, Feb 2000:
  I have taken the "B" on the Amtrak trak train in the east several times between Philadelphia and NYC never had a problem. I also ride the New Jersey Transit trains all the time. On NJT, it says on the schedule that folding bikes are allowed on ever train at any time. I am not sure if the same is true for Amtrak. I put the B in the overhead rack and I have never had a problem.
• Larry Chinn, Feb 2000:
  [On Caltrain] I can fit the Brompton between my legs and the seat in front of me but I have rather thin legs and still am somewhat uncomfortable. The Brompton can't fit under the seat but certainly the overhead rack. I find the Brompton too heavy and awkward to lift above my head into the overhead. It's also difficult to negotiate the narrow stairwell carrying the folder and front pannier. When the train is really crowded it's still a challenge to seat yourself and the Brompton but I always hope that some passenger will be inspired seeing the convenience of the folder to go out and get one.
• Steven M. Scharf, Feb 2000:
  When Caltrain used to have two sets of back to back seats per car it was the perfect place for a folder. Now they reconfigured those seats to normal and eliminated that storage space.
• stringer, Jun 2000:
  I've taken my brompton on the Long Island Railroad, which is also part of MTA, and had no problems. I don't think you'll have any trouble on Metro North, especially if you cloak the brompton with a plastic trash bag. I did notice on the MTA website that you can get a life time bike pass for $5.
• Peter O'Reilly, Jun 2000:
  I've ridden Metro North coming and going to NY with a full size bicycle. I have only done so on weekends and have a Metro North bicycle pass. You can by the bike pass for $5 at their ticket window in Grand Central Station. I have gone with groups of other bicyclists using the last available car. Sometimes they have a dedicated bicycle car (old snack bar car). I did not experience any problem. I have heard on occasion stories that they will arbitrarily limit the number of bicyclists on a train depending on the mood of the conductor. Once again these are weekend stories with full size bikes. That's about it.

Covers

• Alasdair Baxter, Oct 1998:
  When travelling with Brompton by train or bus, I usually carry a stout bin liner in my pocket and will put the folded bike inside it if asked. So far I have never been asked but I could see a possible claim arising if a passenger's expensive brand new luggage were soiled by coming in contact with an oily chain.
  It is a bit like sending soft fruit through the post office inadequately packed.
• Rob Cope, Oct 1998:
  MY cover (rarely used) is a large laundry bag found in the market for UKP2.50. I suspect it helps that the resulting package looks like heavy shopping, not a collapsed bike. Marketing opportunity! A run of covers over-printed 'ACME Self-Propelled Sewing Machines' or 'Bike? No bike here: honest!'
• Tom Bennett, Aug 1999:
  The bike cover is a waste of 50 bucks. I (almost) never used it. If you have only one bike, you can take it practically anywhere. In Paris, restaurants, museums (I checked it at the Musee de Cluny) even movies will allow entry of one Brompton. But, two Bromptons is a bit much. Before I left NY, I bought the top of the line Kryptonite lock for bikes. (called the NY Krypto.) It weighed 3 pounds, was total overkill, but it fit around both Bromptons at the same time (at the bottom of the frame above the crank, leaving no room for a jack etc.) and gave me total peace of mind while leaving it outside of just about anywhere. [I know someone is going to tell an urban horror story in response to this, but I just figured that if some organized thief had the balls to show up on the plaza outside the Louvre with the "jaws of life" and a diesel air compressor to get my Bromptons, then he could have them]

The Brompton Folding Bicycle FAQ