Legal Position

[BSRU]

This morning a security guard at work informed me that I "must" lock my bike in the bicycle shed provided. I currently lock it next to the building underneath my window, convenient for getting changed as it is very near to the changing rooms and I can hear anyone messing around with it. It is located on a strip of concrete between the building and a flower bed it is not on a path, so no-one can have an issue of blocking a path, it does not interfere in any way with opening of any doors and it is nowhere near the fire exits.

My reluctance not to use the work bike shed is it is a bike theives paradise, dark and secluded they could spend hours in there without being disturbed. Combined with the poor attitude of the site manager after someone's bike was stolen a few months ago, basically they don't give a sh1t I decided never too use it again. The site manager is part of a company contracted to our company who sub-contract the security guards, so no-one actually from my company has told me I cannot lock it there.

The most annoying part is being told I have to use the bike shed, it would imply to me that they are making themselves liable to any damage or thefts that occur. At the moment I am standing my ground, until someone senior from my company tells me I cannot lock it there I will continue to do so.

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

This morning a security guard at work informed me that I "must" lock my bike in the bicycle shed provided

What reason did he give, if any?

 

[BSRU]

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What reason did he give, if any?

The reason given is because we have a bike shed I must use it.

 

[ACS]

I would be tempted to ask the security guard, in the nicest possible way of course, where he received his instructions from; company policy, directive from up on high, memo from the cleaner? If he cannot supply the authority then he has no grounds to insist on compliance.

By insisting that you secure your bike in a particular area are the company assuming some liability for safekeeping / security ? As most cars / bikes etc are left at ‘owner risk’, I doubt if the company are going to accept the responsibility nor the risk.

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

The reason given is because we have a bike shed I must use it.

Yeah, I didn't think he would have a reason.

 

[yello]

It may not be so much of a "must" as a simple request. Before you pursue the matter I'd ask yourself how much of an inconvenience is it really to play the game?

Personally, I would kind of be interested to know on whose say so the guard is operating but I would weigh up how much it mattered to me and how much a pain-in-the-arse I might be making of myself.

 

[DrSquirrel]

Private land? Then there isn't a "must" anywhere.

Guard has no rights to dictate anything to you.

I'd just carry on until your manager/director in your company says otherwise - or ask them directly.

 

[mark barker]

I can see the logic in telling you to use the bike shed. If you're allowed to put your bike where ever you choose, whats to stop everyone else doing the same?

 

[2Loose]

Sounds like a guard 'thinking' (problem right there!) that the sheds would be the best place to put your bike. Point out the problem and reason you put it where you do and ask who the order came from so you can dispute it with them directly. Make it clear that you don't you don't think it is the guards fault the orders are wrong, just in case he made them up on the spot.

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

I can see the logic in telling you to use the bike shed. If you're allowed to put your bike where ever you choose, whats to stop everyone else doing the same?

Nothing, unless the management decide otherwise.

That's the point.

 

[BSRU]

I can see the logic in telling you to use the bike shed. If you're allowed to put your bike where ever you choose, whats to stop everyone else doing the same?

They cannot do anything unless it is an obstruction or has been abandoned, in my case neither are applicable.

 

[BSRU]

It may not be so much of a "must" as a simple request. Before you pursue the matter I'd ask yourself how much of an inconvenience is it really to play the game?

Personally, I would kind of be interested to know on whose say so the guard is operating but I would weigh up how much it mattered to me and how much a pain-in-the-arse I might be making of myself.

It is not just a pain in the arse it also would put my bike in a far less secure area, secluded and a great place to steal a bike from.

 

[BinBag]

I'd just carry on until your manager/director in your company says otherwise - or ask them directly.

Yep - go up your own chain first and that should give some directive to the guard and to you. If it hasn't already been agreed where bikes 'should' be stored, then have it agreed and stamp your view on it - if it has, then you'll find out.

 

[sheep_go_baa]

If they insist on using the bike shed then ask about added security, and point out why you park where you do - you can keep an eye on your bike, and it is not an onstruction. It is not as if you are being a pain in ar$e for the sake of it - it seems to me that you have a perfectly legitimate reason for not using the bike shed, and in your position I wouldn't, unless they can make it a safe/secure place, only accessible by employees/cyclists.

 

[DrSquirrel]

Might find your managers etc though will just turn around and say "lock it in the shed, that's what its there for".

You could just ignore the guard until they say something (they might give up).