The bike racks at Glasgow Central station got moved today, and although there were signs at either end, who's going to see those in a rush in the morning when you're scanning for an empty slot? Not about 20 people, judging by the pile of bikes downstairs.
The signs just said 'these bike racks will be moved, so make sure your bike is removed before the 10th'.
Any case for getting them to reimburse for a lock? Or should I just accept that as a trade for getting a quick tour of the fabled basements?
Firstly, make a few discreet enquiries about who moved the bikes and when. Act dumb, and don't tip your hand too soon.
In Englandwales a bike which is causing an obstruction may be removed under
Railway Byelaw Number 14 by an authorised person.
In
Scotland your bike may only be moved under the supervision of a member of the British Transport Police.
If you can get Network Rail to reveal that it was moved by station staff alone, you can then cite the relevant bye-law and perhaps get the cost back. A small claims court is a cheap and suitable method to do so.
Incidentally at Edinburgh Waverley bikes chained up outside the racks are always fitted with a notice first, before any attempt to remove them is made.
I myself had to raise the above with Scotrail after I discovered some bloke with a pair of bolt cutters hanging around my bike, threatening to remove it. I put in a complaint, an apology was received and the miscreant was "re-briefed". Furthermore as my complaint was not dealt with in the time stated in their own complaints procedure, I received a £5 off travel voucher.
Railway Byelaw 14:
No person in charge of any motor vehicle, bicycle or other conveyance shall park it on any part of the railway where charges are made for parking by an Operator or an authorised person without paying the appropriate charge at the appropriate time in accordance with instructions given by an Operator or an authorised person at that place.
(4) In England and Wales
The owner of any motor vehicle, bicycle or other conveyance used, left or placed in breach of Byelaw 14(1) to 14(3) may be liable to pay a penalty as displayed in that area.
(ii) Without prejudice to Byelaw 14(4)(i), any motor vehicle, bicycle or other conveyance used, left or placed in breach of Byelaw 14(1) to 14(3) may be clamped, removed, and stored, by or under the direction of an Operator or authorised person.
(iii) The owner of the motor vehicle, bicycle or other conveyance shall be liable to an Operator or an authorised person for the costs incurred in clamping, removing and storing it provided that there is in that area a notice advising that any vehicle parked contrary to these Byelaws may be clamped, removed and stored by an Operator or an authorised person and that (i)
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the costs incurred by an Operator or an authorised person for this may be recovered from the vehicle’s owner.
(iv) The power of clamping and removal provided in Byelaw 14(4)(ii) above shall not be exercisable in any area where passenger parking is permitted unless there is on display in that area a notice advising that any vehicle parked contrary to these Byelaws may be clamped and/or removed by an Operator or an authorised person.
(5) In Scotland
Any motor vehicle, bicycle or other conveyance used, left or placed in breach of this Byelaw in Scotland may be removed by or under the direction of a constable
