TRANSPORT police have launched an investigation after a cyclist received a barrage of abuse whilst travelling on a train to Inverclyde.

The man, who was travelling between Paisley Gilmour Street and Port Glasgow on Tuesday evening, was verbally abused when he boarded with his bike.

He was on the 7.05pm train and asked two men to vacate the area where cycles can be stowed.

The man said: “They refused and became abusive.

“The ticket inspector arrived and he told them to move but they refused.”

The cyclist says the men hurled homophobic remarks.

He said: “I was shaking.

“I was terrified.

“Just before I got to Port Glasgow a third man got involved.

“He threatened me.

“One girl did stand up for me but she got abuse too.”

After leaving the train, the cyclist reported the incident to British Transport Police (BTP).

He added: “I’ve been travelling on trains for years and I’ve never had any trouble before.”

He was keen to thank the staff at Port Glasgow Railway Station for helping him.

A spokeswoman at BTP said: “Officers are investigating an incident of anti-social behaviour involving three men and a cyclist on board a service from Paisley to Port Glasgow.

“A man boarded with his cycle and asked two men, who were sat in an area where bikes could be stored, to move.

“The men became verbally abusive towards the man, a third man also waded into the argument and verbally abused the cyclist for asking them to move.

“Anyone with any information should contact 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 citing reference 496 of 07/11.”