Photo/Illutration A sample image of cyclists using the Cycle Train service (Provided by Seibu Railway Co.)

TOKOROZAWA, Saitama Prefecture—Seibu Railway Co. headquartered here has started a Cycle Train service connecting Tokyo’s Nerima Ward and the tourist area of Chichibu in Saitama Prefecture.

The special service for cyclists runs on the Ikebukuro and Chichibu lines on weekends and holidays. One of 10 cars of the S-Train reserved-seat commuter train is used exclusively for the service.

Cyclists are given loop tape with a hook at the boarding station to secure their bicycles to a strap or handrail on the train.

Seibu Railway conducted a trial operation from November 2022 and decided to start a regular service after users said they preferred it to carrying their bicycles onboard in bags.

Cyclists can bring their bicycles on the train that departs Shakujii-Koen Station in Nerima Ward at 8:54 a.m. They can leave the train at either Hanno Station at 9:25 a.m. or Seibu-Chichibu Station at 10:05 a.m. in Saitama Prefecture.

On the way back, they can get on the train at either Seibu-Chichibu Station at 5:07 p.m. or Hanno Station at 5:50 p.m., and can get off at Shakujii-Koen Station at 6:26 p.m.

They cannot enter or exit the train at other stations.

Up to 10 cyclists are allowed on each trip, which costs 1,800 yen ($13.40) for junior high school students or older and 900 yen for elementary school students.

Users need to make reservations via the EMot online ticketing system for smartphones.

For inquiries, visit the company’s official website at (https://www.seiburailway.jp/railways/tourist/english/).

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