13 July 2011. Copenhagen is doubling the space for bikes on a number of its suburban trains to meet growth stimulated by the switch to free bike travel.

The photo at right is sure to strike pangs of envy in Melbourne commuters who have to shoe-horn bikes into tiny spaces.

The Copenhagen S-train has also introduced one-way traffic in the new bike compartments to make it easier and faster to get on and off.

Ten S-Trains are being remodelled with the new compartments, which are in the middle of the train so that there is more space for bikes on the platform.

The train system in the Danish capital is being gradually improved for travellers with bikes as increasing numbers of passengers are combining bike and train for their commute.

The railway is installing bicycle pumps at a number of stations, making bicycle ramps, more and building more bicycle parking.

The remodelled trains have pronounced coloured stripes on the sides of the train indicating the bike compartments. Bikes must be stored only in the bike area, while prams can taken in the passageways.

Research indicates that a third of all passengers have taken advantage of taking their bike on the S-train for free, and 91% are very positive about the idea, whether or not they take their bike on the S-train. Some 27% of the riders said they would not have taken the S-train unless if they had to pay extra for the bike.

source : here