Bike parking at work is worse than useless...

[400bhp]

Generally speaking with larger companies and organisations you're best off bypassing the local Hitler and applying pressure to HR as that's where the travel plan dosh is dealt with.

Absolutely.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I pointed out that as it is private land and I am not causing an obstruction they is nothing legally she can do to stop me from locking my bike where I do.

Actually just because you're not committing a criminal offence doesn't mean there isn't a pile of law, albeit civil law, they can use against you, and worse for you, against your employer if they are a tenant, to stop you doing what you want on the landlords property. They are probably completely within their rights, providing they warn you, to break your lock and remove your bike. Obstruction is a red herring btw.

If your employer is a tenant and if provision of bike parking isn't covered under the lease it is, strictly speaking, your employers problem to provide you with bike parking not their landlord's. And your employer may well take a 'not our problem how you get to work' attitude. Used to go round and around on this one when I was facilities manager for a company with a number of leased offices in EC3 back in the day.

 

[400bhp]

I think you need to set up a TWUG (Two Wheel User Group),

No, he needs to find out who has the power to change things first.

 

[BSRU]

Actually just because you're not committing a criminal offence doesn't mean there isn't a pile of law, albeit civil law, they can use against you, and worse for you, against your employer if they are a tenant, to stop you doing what you want on the landlords property. They are probably completely within their rights, providing they warn you, to break your lock and remove your bike. Obstruction is a red herring btw.

If your employer is a tenant and if provision of bike parking isn't covered under the lease it is, strictly speaking, your employers problem to provide you with bike parking not their landlord's. And your employer may well take a 'not our problem how you get to work' attitude. Used to go round and around on this one when I was facilities manager for a company with a number of leased offices in EC3 back in the day.

The site manager is not the landlord or a representative of the landlord, she works for a company contracted by my company to manage the buildings in line with our company's policies. There is no policy about bicycle facilities, she has made these demand up, I have been using the same position for four months now and she has had plenty of opportunity to tell me personally I was in the wrong.
My feeling is she is taking revenge for my justified criticism of her purchase and location of the new uncovered semi-vertical bike racks, she has form for this sort of behaviour.

 

[BSRU]

Actually just because you're not committing a criminal offence doesn't mean there isn't a pile of law, albeit civil law, they can use against you, and worse for you, against your employer if they are a tenant, to stop you doing what you want on the landlords property. They are probably completely within their rights, providing they warn you, to break your lock and remove your bike. Obstruction is a red herring btw.

I completely disagree with this, from experience with cars on private land, if some parks on private land, the landowner has very limited options. If it is not causing an obstruction the Police are not interested, the local council will only become interested if the car has been abandoned, normally 30 days has to have passed, then there is a lengthy procedure before the car is removed by the council. The landowner cannot cause any damage to the vehicle, it is criminal damage, the person authorising the damage will be prosecuted and also liable to civil proceedings to recover the costs of any damage.
Take for example supermarket car parks, these days lots of signs near disabled/parent and toddler bays stating fines will be imposed, completely unenforceable.
The recent decision to ban private wheel clamper's, this has upset lots of private landowners, as now they will have no powers to prevent parking on private land that is not causing an obstruction or abandoned, where trespass has not occurred.

I know it's crazy and as stupid as it sounds but if you park on private land, unless you are causing an obstruction or have abandoned your vehicle the landlord can do nothing but moan about it, legally that is.
The only exception is when the Police use anti-terrorism laws.

 

[Hicky]

The bike parking at uni is top notch, indoor spaces with several Sheffield stands in. They have locking doors which can only be opened with your uni card if you've registered to use the facility.

The only drawback is that they don't tell anyone about how to register for it. I'm in my fourth year and I've only just found out about it.

I'm assuming you're at manchester uni???
Guessing so because your describing it down to a "T"!
It isnt too clear to find out how to get access, also you have to pay an admin fee to get your card authorised.....taking the P!!!
I already pay for carparking and can get my card access changed for buildings and rooms within building at the drop of a hat........on that point the uni is crap!

I've a mind to join the protester in the finance building !

OP, my direct boss is the school safety orifficer(good friend) and constantly moaning at me for bringing my bike into my office( I carry it through the building to avoid upsetting the cleaners).
My point to him was I shouldnt have to pay twice for parking and it represents no fire issue(obstruction).....and the head of dept bring her in also so tackle her first!.

To tackle anyone in this instance place the onus onto them to provide evidance, also ask for the risk assessments.....generally be enough of a pain so they leave you alone, only a very diligent H&S bod will cope with stubborness of this level....works for me.

 

[BSRU]

To tackle anyone in this instance place the onus onto them to provide evidance, also ask for the risk assessments.....generally be enough of a pain so they leave you alone, only a very diligent H&S bod will cope with stubborness of this level....works for me.

+1, be as much as pain as you can, hopefully they will move on and find someone else to pick on in order to make themselves feel superior.

 

[automatic_jon]

I'm assuming you're at manchester uni???
Guessing so because your describing it down to a "T"!

Strangely no, Portsmouth Uni. I, as a student, don't have to pay to use it, just to email an obscure address with my details and a departmental contact.

As for work parking I'm never at a site long enough to access secure facilities. I've become adept at finding a secure yet public bolthole where the bike doesn't obstruct anyone. As of yet, I've not had any trouble.

 

[Amanda P]

The only drawback is that they don't tell anyone about how to register for it. I'm in my fourth year and I've only just found out about it.

Ah, yes the secret facilities ploy. My employer's rather good at that.

"But we've been providing facility X for N years, and hardly anyone uses it - why should we provide anything else?"

 

[Amanda P]

Baz, I'm guessing your employer provides car parking space for employees? Could you have a space if you wanted one?

If so, how about switching to a bike you don't mind losing for a few days and parking it in a car parking space, in such a way that no-one else can use it?

I know it's unlikely to change much, but it'd be fun, wouldn't it?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I completely disagree with this, from experience with cars on private land,
...
The only exception is when the Police use anti-terrorism laws.

Er, nope. My experience of dealing with people parking their cars in our company's car park without our permission indicates there is a heck of a lot we could do within the law. Civil trespass. Sue for costs/damages for removing said vehicle amongst other things.

But the car thing is a red herring. And it turns out the OP isn't in landlorded premises.

 

[BSRU]

Er, nope. My experience of dealing with people parking their cars in our company's car park without our permission indicates there is a heck of a lot we could do within the law. Civil trespass. Sue for costs/damages for removing said vehicle amongst other things.

But the car thing is a red herring. And it turns out the OP isn't in landlorded premises.

I did mention trespass as a caveat.
If you are working for the company you cannot be accused of trespassing on company property.
It seems our experiences are completely different.
In the case you mention of suing for costs/damages for removing who do you sue, assuming you do not know who the driver is and the registered keeper has no obligation to tell you who actually parked it illegally?
Also are you removing an abandoned car, an obstruction or was the vehicle temporarily parked in a parking space?

 

[mgarl10024]

Hi,

Long story short, I work for a big company and the facilities aren't the best (overflowing bike racks, and communal male showers -urgh!).

I mailed round and found about 30 cyclists. All of who were really keen to get things done and had great ideas. Then I suggested setting up a BUG (Bike Users Group) and it all went flat. The cyclists wanted things changed, but weren't prepared to do much to get things altered. As you can imagine, when I asked around as to who wanted to be a possible chair for the BUG, I got a deathly silence.

My next route was to get onto the Building's User Group (someone else mentioned this). I accurately and honestly feedback the feelings of the cyclists and my personal experiences, and our Facilities team have been very good to see what they can do. Often it boils down to money, and I've had to sometimes go over the heads of facilities to the decision makers to get things moving. I'd also second the idea about being proactive and coming up with solutions (especially those that don't cost a lot) in advance.

But, so far, a mix of politeness, positiveness and utter persistence seem to changing things at a tectonic rate. I'll keep plugging...

MG

 

[BSRU]

I may found part of the answer myself, it relates to information signs, if there is clear information signs of the consequences of illegal parking then the offender has agreed to terms of the contract for parking. Although if any damage is done to the vehicle during removal then the owner of the car park is liable to criminal damage.

It seems to imply no warning signs mean no consequences.

Looks like things are about to change, in order to stop rogue clamping companies.
According to the Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone, the government is legislating to outlaw the use of wheel-clamping or removal of vehicles parked on private land, already an existing law in Scotland.
A quote from the minister:-
"The legislation will introduce criminal proceedings or civil sanctions for any person who clamps or immobilises a vehicle or tows it away on private land without specific legal authority to do so."
The legal authority only existing with the Police and local councils.

 

[- Baz -]

Baz, I'm guessing your employer provides car parking space for employees? Could you have a space if you wanted one?

If so, how about switching to a bike you don't mind losing for a few days and parking it in a car parking space, in such a way that no-one else can use it?

I know it's unlikely to change much, but it'd be fun, wouldn't it?

Nice idea! The building is in the centre of Manchester with underground parking on two levels, reserved for senior managers with flash company Jags/Mercs et al. You get the idea...

Update: Even though the company is awash with money, it seems that the building, originally built and owned by the company MAY have been sold and is now rented back. Will have to make further enquiries. In any case, I'll see if I can drum up some interest in a BUG and take it from there. I just hope I'm not underwhelmed by a plague of apathy...