Disc brakes: Allowed back on planes
Shock and horror (or, more accurately, mild consternation) swept the nation's mountain bikers the other week when a new clause appeared unannounced in the Regulations of Carriage of popular no-frills airline EasyJet. To wit:
- The bicycle must be packaged in a bicycle box or bag
- Only one bicycle per bicycle box or bag will be permitted
- No other items can be carried in the bicycle box (i.e. clothing)
- The tyres must be deflated
- The handlebars must be flush with the frame
- The pedals must be flush against the frame or removed
- Bicycles which use hydraulic fluid in their brakes and / or suspension cannot be accepted for carriage
It's that bit in bold that got people scared. And not just potential passengers either - plenty of people had already booked flights and all those holiday companies in France and Spain that depend on the availability of inexpensive, regular flights got distinctly uncomfortable.
So what was it all about? It appears that someone somewhere in EasyJet got a bit carried away with their interpretation of CAA regulations on prohibited substances. Fortunately the timely intervention of national cyclist's group CTC has got the ban lifted. CTC Public Transport Campaigner Dave Holladay said: "Following talks with CTC, Easyjet has sorted out the problem and advised its agents to not refuse any bike."
You'll still see the clause on the Easyjet website, but according to Richard Male from the Easyjet Ground Handling Management team, "this sort of update needs to follow a legal procedure, but all our staff have been instructed to accept bikes with hydraulic systems."
Alan ..........it's just a theory
