fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Ok,
Not quite commuting, but will affect me in a couple of years. We are moving to new accomodation (custom built) for 2 Uni Faculties - over 5000 students and 300 staff, and a fancy new multi storey car park.
The office uses all the latest Environmentally Friendly systems etc. etc. We started out with a 'cycle hub' in the car park, with lockers/showers etc.....
That's now down to using the sports facility changing (OK no issue). There are plans for 300 open sheffield stands. Secure parking of bikes has gone down the pan - where the staff have all been consulted about desk colours/fabric and crap, the cycle parking has been 'over ruled'.
The transport manager has been doing his best, but it looks like trying to get 100 of the 300 spaces 'secure' for staff/students, is now down to 26, in a space just 3 metres wide (equivalent to 3 car park spaces). The chap is trying to take over 2 more spaces to get it to 50 cycle spaces. Car park spaces cost £10k each.
As the space is so tight, sheffield stands won't fit, so they have come up with Space Pods
http://cyclepods.co.uk/products/spacepods?album=11&gallery=58
Now these are about £300 per bike, compared to £100 for a sheffield stand that takes two bikes.
What immediately struck me was the securing bars - both are way to low to secure the bike properly, and you'd need a long d lock to get it through the frame, leaving lots of space for a car jack to be inserted. The other issue is full mudguards being a problem. The transport guy has also highlighted that these would be poor for those staff with any physical disability.
Just to say how bad facilities are, another new build is just about to be occupied, all outside sheffield stands, no secure parking. The transport guy even tried to retro fit secure cycle sheds over the existing stands, but this was turned down on asthetics, despite there being complimentary designs done.
So your views on the 'pods' ? The transport guy has asked me to feed back.
Not quite commuting, but will affect me in a couple of years. We are moving to new accomodation (custom built) for 2 Uni Faculties - over 5000 students and 300 staff, and a fancy new multi storey car park.
The office uses all the latest Environmentally Friendly systems etc. etc. We started out with a 'cycle hub' in the car park, with lockers/showers etc.....
That's now down to using the sports facility changing (OK no issue). There are plans for 300 open sheffield stands. Secure parking of bikes has gone down the pan - where the staff have all been consulted about desk colours/fabric and crap, the cycle parking has been 'over ruled'.
The transport manager has been doing his best, but it looks like trying to get 100 of the 300 spaces 'secure' for staff/students, is now down to 26, in a space just 3 metres wide (equivalent to 3 car park spaces). The chap is trying to take over 2 more spaces to get it to 50 cycle spaces. Car park spaces cost £10k each.
As the space is so tight, sheffield stands won't fit, so they have come up with Space Pods
http://cyclepods.co.uk/products/spacepods?album=11&gallery=58
Now these are about £300 per bike, compared to £100 for a sheffield stand that takes two bikes.
What immediately struck me was the securing bars - both are way to low to secure the bike properly, and you'd need a long d lock to get it through the frame, leaving lots of space for a car jack to be inserted. The other issue is full mudguards being a problem. The transport guy has also highlighted that these would be poor for those staff with any physical disability.
Just to say how bad facilities are, another new build is just about to be occupied, all outside sheffield stands, no secure parking. The transport guy even tried to retro fit secure cycle sheds over the existing stands, but this was turned down on asthetics, despite there being complimentary designs done.
So your views on the 'pods' ? The transport guy has asked me to feed back.
I would have to lift my bike? Well, what if it's all muddy? Also, you would need a longer chain, if you have a front quick release. I'd probably find a railing somewhere to park, rather than use them pods.
