Pedals EMR Cycle capacity Campaign update no.3, February 2026
The new EMR Aurora trains are now coming into service. Now is a good time to write to your MP protesting about the poor cycle provision despite the £400M price tag. Each email to an elected representative is a step towards avoiding more new trains with poor cycle capacity and getting the Aurora trains modified to accommodate more cycles without the awkward and difficult to use hook storage that passenger have to lift their bikes onto.
Pedals has discovered that the Government is working on a Rolling Stock Strategy, to be completed this year, as part of the Railways Bill that will accompany the establishment of Great British Railways. There’s an opportunity to call for:
‘a statutory requirement mandating exact cycle capacity targets per train type’
in the Rolling Stock Strategy documents, for example aligning with Cycling UK’s recommendations (see: https://www.pedals.org.uk/2024/12/08/emrcampaignrelatedlinks/ ) to ensure that future new trainsets do have generous space to encourage not discourage cycle-rail travel, which an excellent form of sustainable travel.
The following MPs in constituencies along the Midland Mainline have not been contacted to Pedals knowledge so far, it would be great if you or someone you know could send an email to one on this list:
Derby South: Baggy Shanker – Mr. Shanker is particularly important as he is working directly on the Railways Bill mentioned above.
Nottingham North: Alex Norris
Erewash: Adam Thompson
Leicester MPs (3): Shivjani Raja, Shockat Adam, Liz Kendall
Harborough, Oadby and Wigston: Neil O’Brien
Kettering: Rosie Wrighting
See https://www.pedals.org.uk/emrcampaignjoin/ to check your constituency and MPs email address.
Many thanks to everyone who has helped push this campaign along so far. It was never going to be an easy win, but without effort things may never change.
There is still time to join in! (Please!) Also, if you did email, but didn’t get a positive reply, send it again! Did you copy Pedals (contact@pedals.co.uk) in to your email and forward on the reply? This helps us keep a track on which MPs have received the message.