I was astounded to read Martin Walker of Go-Ahead's invitation to "Go ahead and bring your bikes on trains" (Letters, May 22).

He offers a wonderful day out - take one of his trains to a rural station and have a countryside cycle ride. Why, then, is one of the Go-Ahead companies about to turn travel with a bike in-to a difficult and uncertain business?

South Central trains will soon be running new trains on the coastal services. These will have no guard's van and are designed to carry only two bikes or a wheelchair in an area shared with pushchairs and bulky luggage.

By contrast, existing trains are able to carry a dozen or more bikes. Cyclist and wheelchair users will shortly find themselves in competition for a space on the train. And if the space is taken when the train arrives, they face an hour's wait on the platform, still with no guarantee of getting on the next train.

Rail travel for cyclists and wheelchair users will become such a lottery that many will be put off using local trains altogether. What sort of a service is it where we shall buy a ticket without knowing whether or not we will be able to travel?

Many cyclists who use the train for a day out are in a family group of four or part of a club. There will be no room for them on the new coastal trains - want to get to Portsmouth or Newhaven to catch the ferry? It could be tricky with a bike.

All sorts of cyclists will be hit. Many people don't own a car and take their bike by train to travel to work or school or visit friends. These are vital journeys. What will these people do in the future?

New trains are very welcome. So, too, are good facilities for disabled people but surely trains in the 21st Century can be designed for all types of passengers?

They manage it elsewhere in Europe. Why not here? Bring your bike on the train... well, it sounds good but if you examine the small print you get a different message.

-Dave Witts, CTC Right To Ride, Brighton and Hove, Evelyn Terrace, Brighton