V/LINE needs to alter its approach to cyclists, so they don't face a "lottery" when it comes to transporting their bikes, Victoria's Greens leader believes.
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Greg Barber believes the carrying of bicycles should not be at the whim of conductors.
"Under the current system it's basically a lottery," Mr Barber said.
"You and your mates might turn up for your long weekend cycling tour, everything prebooked, but it's at the discretion of the conductor as to whether you or your bike do or don't get on.
"I understand things can be very overcrowded, but if you're trying to develop cycle tourism, which you certainly are in the North East, then that is just an unacceptable situation."
Mr Barber said with plans for new cars V/Line needed to meet cyclists' needs.
"If you're designing and buying more rolling stock, you better make provision for carrying a lot of bikes because that's going to be a big part of future tourism," Mr Barber said.
"(These) restrictions don't apply to surfboards or prams or wheelchairs.
"If you turn up with those you're allowed to get on, it's only bicycles."
"They just need to invest properly."
The Border Mail asked V/Line if it would be changing its policy.
The rail operator did not answer directly, with a spokeswoman saying space was "generally available" on the North East line for bicycle haulage.
"Albury line trains are fitted with power vans, which can accommodate up to 10 bicycles on each service," she said.
"Some connecting V/Line coaches in the region can also carry bicycles if space is available, to support customers using the rail trails in the area."
The spokeswoman said V/Locity trains were more restrictive than the North East sets for the carriage of bicycles.
A Border Mail question about whether the need for greater bicycle storage was being taken into account for new carriage designs went unanswered.