ICE » Travelling with a bicycle

Conditions
General
  • ICE has a special bicycle coach with racks for 8 bicycles.
  • The bicycle spaces need to be reserved in advance. You need a ticket for your bicycle and a bicycle reservation.
  • The bicycle section is located in carriage 21. On a double train, this is carriage 21 and carriage 31. 
  • The bike racks have a width for tyres of 40 to 60 mm.
  • Maximum of one bicycle per person.
  • Luggage or equipment (e.g. a helmet) must be removed from the bike during the journey. 
  • You can also take folded and packed folding bicycles with you for free as luggage in the luggage rack or under your seat. See Size and packaging.
  • If a (modified) bicycle is carried as an aid for a mobility-impaired traveller, other rules apply, see ICE » Travelling with a disability.
 
Bicycles permitted on board ICE
  • Regular two wheel bicycles without battery.
  • A fat bike is allowed if it fits in the bike rack. The bike racks have a width for tyres of 40 to 60 mm.
  • Electric bicycles are allowed only if there is no risk of damage to passengers or the train. 
  • Only electric bicycles with a built-in battery are allowed. Batteries may not be removed from the means of transport. 
    • Non built-in batteries are considered dangerous goods and may only be carried if they have a capacity of less than 100 Wh (watt-hour) / 0.1 kWh. In practice, these are only batteries from mobile phones, laptops and powerbanks. The capacity of the battery is indicated on the battery.
    • Batteries of electric transport vehicles may not be charged from the sockets located on the train. 
 
Bicycles not permitted on board ICE
  • Electric vehicles with non-built-in batteries. 
    • Non built-in batteries are considered dangerous goods and may only be carried if they have a capacity of less than 100 Wh (watt-hour) / 0.1 kWh. In practice, these are only batteries from mobile phones, laptops and powerbanks. The capacity of the battery is indicated on the battery.
  • Special bicycles such as reclining bicycles, tandems, bicycle trailers, Segways, vehicles with a combustion engine (such as quads or mopeds) and speed pedelecs are not allowed on ICE.
 
Size and packaging
Travelling with a bicycle on ICE International between the Netherlands and Germany
  • A bicycle (folding or otherwise) can also be taken on board if it is packed in a bicycle case or cover with a maximum size of 120 x 90 cm.
  • Place the folded bicycle in case or cover in the luggage racks or under your seat. It may not be placed in the aisles or hinder other passengers.
  • You can take folded and packed (folding) bicycles with you for free
  • Place a luggagge label with your name on the bicycle case/cover.

Travelling with a bicycle on ICE between two German stations.
  • A bicycle (folding or otherwise) can be taken on board if it is packed in a case or cover of 120 x 90 cm.
  • On a number of ICE's in German domestic traffic, you are allowed to take a bicycle on board in a bicycle coach without disassembling it first. A bicycle ticket with a reservation is obligatory for this. These ICEs with bicycle coach operate occasionally. You will find these trains by indicating in the journey planner that you are travelling with a bicycle. The planner indicates the train with a small icon of a bicycle and the information "Bicycles conveyed - subject to reservation, Number of bicycles conveyed limited."
 
Travelling with a bicycle on ICE between two Dutch stations.
  • Folded folding bicycles can be taken, packed in a cover or case or unpacked.
  • Regular bicycles are not permitted, even if they are disassembled and packed.
 
Small electronic vehicles
The number of small electronic vehicles, such as electric scooters and hoverboards, is rapidly growing. These can be taken on the train under the following conditions:
  • They can only be taken if there is no risk of damage to passengers or the train. 
  • Place the vehicle under the seat or in the luggage rack in a bag, or secure it to the luggage rack with a lashing strip. 
  • Electric scooters and kickboards can only be taken if folded.
  • They may not be used on the train or at the station. 
  • Luggage or equipment (such as a helmet) must be removed from the vehicle during the journey. 
  • Each passenger may take one small vehicle on the train, so not both an electric scooter and a folding bicycle.  
  • Only built-in batteries are allowed. Batteries must not be removed from the vehicle. 
  • Batteries must not be charged using the power sockets located on the train. 
  • Batteries not built in are deemed hazardous items and may therefore not be taken on the train. The battery's capacity is stated on the battery.
    • Only batteries with a capacity of less than 100 Wh (Watt-hours)/0.1 kWh may be taken. This involves only batteries such as those of mobile telephones, laptops and power banks. 
 
What next
  • If you meet the conditions, you can take your bicycle (folding or otherwise) on ICE.
  • You purchase your bicycle ticket and reservation from:
    • NS International Customer Service on +31 30 2300023.
    • An NS International service desk (at Amsterdam Centraal, Arnhem Centraal, Rotterdam Centraal, Schiphol Airport or Utrecht Centraal stations).
  • Although it is not required to avoid peak times when travelling with a bicycle on international journeys, this is recommended to avoid crowded trains.
  • It is your own responsibility to load and unload your bicycle, so please ensure you are at the station on time.
 
International passengers
  • Passengers travelling with a bicycle on Dutch domestic trains can only travel during off-peak hours. The restriction to travel during off-peak hours does not apply to international travellers. They are also allowed to travel during peak hours upon presentation of their international ticket.
 
More information

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