Transport for London and DLR operators Serco conducted the trial last year and announced today that more than more than 5,000 travelled with their bikes without incident.
TfL say the acceptance of non-folding bikes forms part of the Mayor’s Vision for Cycling and will open up many new areas of the capital to cyclists.
Announcing the change, Mayor Boris Johnson, said: “Opening up the Docklands Light Railway to cyclists will be a great boost to the cycling community and make it much more convenient for cyclists to cross the river.
“This is another important step forward in our mission to make it easier for more people to get cycling in the capital.”
The decision to allow non-folding bikes was described as “incredibly welcome” by Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly.
Ms Pidgeon said: “I am not surprised at all that the recent trial allowing non-folding bicycles on the DLR has been a success as there was no real argument to support the total prohibition of bikes being allowed on the DLR.
“For too many years both the Mayor and TfL have made feeble excuses to exclude people taking bikes on the DLR at off-peak hours, which has created huge problems for cyclists especially if they wanted to cross the Thames.”
JDS says
I didn’t realise this wasn’t allowed when I tried around October last year. It was unexpectedly freezing cold and raining terribly, but I was very forcefully told I couldn’t then man-handled from the platform incase I tried to get on the next one (I was pausing to call my GF and tell her I’d be late home (and soaked!). What was amazing was that when I tried to reason with the conductor I was told it was prohibited as my bike would interfere with the engines?! Amazing. At least tell the truth.