Railway bike rules change for charity cycle race

The London to Brighton Bike Ride is expected to draw 14,000 participants

Railway operators will introduce restrictions on passengers bringing bicycles onto trains on Sunday due to a charity event.

The British Heart Foundation is holding its annual London to Brighton Bike Ride on 15 June.

The fundraising event will see riders set off at Clapham Common from 06:00 BST onwards, travelling through south London, Surrey, and Sussex on the 54-mile ride to Brighton Seafront.

Southern and Thameslink say customers will not be able to board with non-folding bikes at stations between Brighton and Shoreham-by-Sea, Haywards Heath or Lewes all day.

The restriction is "for safety reasons, and to prevent overcrowding, due to the significant number of bikes taking part", according to the operators.

Bikes will also not be allowed to travel on the network to Clapham Junction station until 10:00.

The British Heart Foundation is running transport services from Brighton to Ardingly Showground and London before the event, between 04:30 and 06:30, and afterwards from noon until 20:00 for participants that have booked a ticket.

The charity says an estimated 14,000 cyclists will take part and the 2024 event raised about £1m.

Rest stops along the route are at Walcountians Sports Club near Banstead, The Dog & Duck in Outwoods near Salfords, Ardingly Showground, Wivelsfield, and at Ditchling Beacon.