Foldable bike / Unknowledgable agent

[kairos]

Hello,

Is it me which doesn't know to read or is there a problem with some CFF agent to understand the rules about foldable bike ?
Or is there some hidden rules not known by the public like what the agent told me ?

I have been forced in the train to purchase a bike ticket for my fold foldable bike.

Here are the rules from the CFF Website :

The following types of bicycle count as hand luggage and do not require a ticket: 

• Folding bicycles, when folded up.
• Bike trailers.
• Bicycles of children younger than 6.
• Shopping carts (including those with a bicycle connection).
• (Electric) scooters, provided the largest wheel has a diameter of no more than 30cm or less than 12 inches.
• Bicycles packed in a transport bag with their front wheels detached

The senior agent (as her colleague told me he was his superior), deny all my arguments when we were both reading the rules.

For him, because the Scooters have a size limit of 30cm for the wheel, my bike must not be larger than 30cm. His exacts words were, the bike must be maximum 30cm. After going home, I saw that the 30cm were about the wheel and that he didn't even read clearly the rule. 

And otherwise, whatever the size if I had a bag it would have been good, despite the foldable bike not needing a bike.

So Am I wrong or is there any additional hidden rules only known by CFF about the foldable bike ?
Is my 20inch wheel foldable bike destined to be put in a bag so I can deny agent all their arguments ?

And if the agent see this message, please give your reasoning or learn the rules.

A angry customer.

[RolandP · Accepted solution]

Hello  

I am sorry about the bad experience you had on board. There are no hidden rules, whatsoever.

According to the tariff, foldable bikes are free of charge provided they are completely folded. The wheel size is not relevant; furthermore, it does not have to be wrapped in a bag any more.

Kindly note, we are a public forum where travelers help travelers; we are not the SBB officials and cannot treat your case here. I suggest that you contact the SBB customer service department for further assistance.

Have you received a form or have you had to pay for the ticket on the train?

• If you have received a form stating Travel without a valid ticket, please send your complaint using this form: https://www.sbb.ch/en/help-and-contact/my-travelcards/travel-without-valid-ticket/enquiries-feedback...
• Have you had to pay, please send your complaint using this form: https://www.sbb.ch/en/help-and-contact/customer-service/praise-comments/claims-complaints.html? In this case, it is important to attach a picture of the ticket to your message. Thanks to the ticket copy, the customer service can see by whom the ticket was issued and can contact the responsible staff to clarify the situation.

Furthermore, I recommend attaching a picture of your foldable bike, as you travelled with it on the train during the ticket inspection.

Whether the conductor was ultimately right or not, I cannot judge. SBB customer service is solely responsible for this decision and a possible refund.

Kind regards,
Roland

[kairos]

Thank you very much for your answer,
I did what you said and filled a complaint with the picture of my ticket and foldable bike fold.

And stating that I paid from her colleague machine so she is not wrongly blame 🙂

[RolandP]

Excellent.

I wish you a good day,
Roland

[kairos]

For information, the customer service refunded me the ticket after I send the pictures and what happened.
Angry customer to happy customer 🙂

[RolandP]

Thanks for the heads-up, this was to be expected. I am happy that it turned out well for you.

Best regards,
Roland

[kairos]

Adding more rules from CFF.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/help-and-contact/produkte-services/tickets/switzerland/bikes.html

Ordinary bicycles.

The total length of ordinary bicycles must not exceed two metres. For self-service loading of bicycles, it does not matter whether the bicycle is electrically assisted or not.

• Mountain bikes.
• Racing bikes.
• Gravel bikes.
• Everyday bikes etc.

Special bicycles.

All bicycles which are longer than two meters, usually tandems, recumbent bicycles and cargo bicycles.

Ordinary bicycles that are no more than two meters long.

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Here for (e-) scooter and NOT BIKE:

Can my (e-)scooter come with me on the train?

Yes. You can take both e-scooters and normal scooters on the train. 

• Please stow your (electric) scooter in a suitable location on the train and ensure that it does not protrude into the passageway or take up bicycle spaces (e.g. under or between the seats).
• If your (electric) scooter can be folded, we kindly request that you place it folded up under the seat or in the luggage racks/niches. This ensures that more space is available for luggage, prams etc.
• Both foldable and unfoldable (electric) scooters are transported free of charge, provided the largest wheel has a diameter of no more than 30cm or less than 12 inches).

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Can I take my bike with me as hand luggage?

Yes, you can in certain cases.

Go to bicycles as hand luggage

How can I transport my folding bicycle on the train?

Folding bicycles should be stowed as luggage items under the seat, in the luggage stowage/niches or in other suitable places where they do not hinder other passengers or occupy any bicycle spaces.

• You do not need a reservation or a ticket for this. 
• No packing/bag is required.

----

The problem was that this senior agent wanted my FOLDABLE BIKE to have the same requirements as the (e-)scooter which is ridiculous..