GWR are introducing compulsory bicycle reservations on long distance high speed trains from 16 May. GWR have said:
"This will bring us in line with other long distance operators and we will compensate customers if we do not provide them with their booked space.
Reservations remain free and can be made online, by phone (0345 7000 125) or at a station when booking a ticket. Reservations can also be made after the ticket is purchased by phone or at a ticket office. This should be done by 18:00 the day before departure, although we can take bookings on some services up to 2 hours before departure.
We would like to encourage pre-booking as much as possible, but we understand that there will be times when booking has not been possible and there is space is available on board.
Station staff have been briefed to allow bikes on board if this is the case. Customers should not therefore have any issues travelling without booking a space for their cycle if there is space on board.
There is no change to our local services, and no limit to the number of folding bikes we can carry because these can be stored in the luggage racks. We are installing Brompton Docks at more of our stations, so that customers can hire a folding bike. We are also increasing bike racks at some stations for customers who do not want to take their bike on board."
More information and the cycle policy booklet are available on the GWR website.