The London-to-Brighton bicycle ride is a great event. So great, that it brings problems of traffic congestion.

This problem is increased by Southern and First Capital Connect refusing to carry bikes.

But you can see their point. They would have to have specially adapted rolling stock sitting around most of the year on account of a one-day event in summer. It's not feasible or practical.

There is a solution, though. But it would cost money.

Southern operates a number (more than 30) of three-car Electrostar trains. By adding a fourth car to each, with tip-up seating, they could create 30-plus trains suitable for the ever-increasing number of commuters throughout the year.

On bike-ride day, the seats could be tipped up and the resulting open areas used for carrying bikes.

Simple. But who pays?

-Nick Hearn, Brighton