New bike parking at work

[Matthew_T]

I went to ASDA the other day just to get a few things. I took my MTB as I didnt want my racer to get nicked.

I went to the cycle facilities which were just like the OP's but straight out of the wall. I attempted to get my MTB in but the bike besides was sqewwed and someone else had locked their rear wheel against the wall using another facility. I tried to get my wheel to stay in, but it kept falling over and I didnt want to lock just the front wheel.

I then moved a few meter away to a 'Trolley Park' sign which was very stirdy metal. I locked my bike behind the sign which provided more security than the cycle facilities as it was in full view of the security guards inside.

These are the facilities: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=rh...vy4vpBIFFrDVDc0JG803zQ&cbp=12,249.38,,3,15.89
This is where I locked up: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=rh...yxLwZdgeeEKW53K2Ps99Zg&cbp=12,258.85,,2,10.73

 

[MrJamie]

I'd try to be honest but apologetic, if only to be less confrontational and explain why they are inadequate. We had them outside my local pub, I think they got to the point when theyd got a little bit loose one was kicked off the wall to steal a bike.

I saw one of these racks the other day, similarly placed right next to the building wall and couldnt figure out how you were meant to lock more than 1 bike unless it was meant to be backed away from the wall: http://www.dontwiggle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/100608-spatialk-wiggle.jpg

 

[SomethingLikeThat]

Those wavy-style racks are really common in America, I'm not sure how you could lock up both wheels and the frame without putting it sideways taking up all the room.

 

[Lee_M]

You aren't! They are designed by people who have never heard of qr stems :-(

 

[Booyaa]

Handy looking orange pipe there though !

Spot on, use the orange pipe and the end rack and secure against both without having to use the wheel bender "properly".

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

You aren't! They are designed by people who have never heard of qr stems :-(

Hi there

For some reason my computer won't open the two links on this thread - I park my bike - front wheel first - every day into a stand like the ones described - they are straight out from the wall though and not at an angle.

I don't have to worry about locking the bike because the whole car park is only security pass accessible but I am really worried now that I am going to damage my bike - can somebody explain how they damage the bike?

Thanks

 

[LabRatt]

As long as they pinch the tyre rather than the rim they don't cause damage simply by using them, but the problem is that the bike is only supported by the wheel. Other designs can be worse, especially those that are horizontal, but the essence of the problem is that if the bike is moved then the rack will touch the spokes while the rim (or tyre) is fixed. The rim forms a pivot, the rest of the bike a lever, and the rack becomes a point around which to bend the wheel.
Basically, using one of these is asking to ride on a pringle. There's the security issue too, but that's not such a concern in your situation.

 

[Matthew_T]

These are the bike parking facilities at my college which I will be using: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Ll...=CD24FmaD91VJSCHIohV4Ng&cbp=12,354.12,,1,8.97
Compare them to the ones which are in question and they are much better and safer. They even have a shelter.

 

[LabRatt]

To be fair, I should show you the existing cycle parking. It was installed under a previous regime, and it's right over on the other side of the site, and mostly used by the few pupils who cycle in.

First there's a slightly better (by virtue of a V design and the fact that it's embedded in the ground) wheel bender setup, with a shelter, for eight bikes:


Then there's a much better (nominally secure, though it's never locked) toast rack setup for another 24:


So my initial estimate of 20 was wrong - the new wheel benders bring the total (for upwards of 1200 people) to 35 spaces, only 24 of which I consider usable. Unfortunately, my argument is somewhat weakened by this:


Some people either don't care, or trust that any provision will be appropriate. Not even the mountain bike tyre is properly pinched, and the SS on the left is held upright by its spokes resting on the stand. Both are secured only by D locks through the back wheel, and although neither has quick-release the wheels would be easy enough to remove with a £5 cycle multitool from the Sainsburys 5 minutes away, which would also be able to take the stands apart, or remove them from the wall.

It will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow when the pupils return.

 

[400bhp]

In a rather ironic way, it'd be better if a bike was stolen from one of them stands to show how pathetic they were-even more so if the stand was removed from the wall.

 

[LabRatt]

I know, I just don't want it to be mine.
There's already one bike still chained to the railings so it's only a matter of time before there's a global email about it, which I'll take as an invitation. I wonder if referring to them as an obviously temporary measure would be a good introduction to the discussion...

 

[subaqua]

Spot on, use the orange pipe and the end rack and secure against both without having to use the wheel bender "properly".

the "orange Pipe" is actually "Burnt Ochre" and is a gas pipe , the colour gives that away. fairly secure one would imagine

 

[GrumpyGregry]

One of my wife's colleagues, who was working his notice, simply pulled such a 'rack' of the wall 'by accident' and gave it back to the bursar. It was replaced twice, once, pathetically, in the original holes with the same fittings and new rawlplugs, before the Bursar got the message and provided Sheffield Stands.

 

[LabRatt]

Today all three are in use, one by an MTB with quick release wheels. Checking the other racks, there are only three wheel benders available and every sheffield stand is in use, though only one has two bikes. So of the 35 available spaces 21 are used, and there are only new year 7s and the sixth formers here - I expect a serious shortage tomorrow.

Something else to bring to the Bursar - yesterday the school's "Overarching Strategic Objectives" were restated, including "Ensure that we continue to develop our environmental awareness and our commitment to sustainability in all areas of the School, including reduction of our energy use" - surely under that we should be encouraging and enabling bicycle use, especially among those staff who drive to work. The car parks are full to capacity and spill out onto surrounding streets, so it'd benefit the community too - another objective.

 

[freewheelwilly]

I saw the title of this thread and thought i'd share my experience with one of my clients (a well know TV channel on the South Bank), have recently upgraded their cycle parking facilities in their underground car park. They now have around 100 bike stands (all of which are used daily) but much to my surprise i noticed what they call a bike repair station. Here there is a bike stand to hang your bike on whilst you carry out the necessary repairs provided by the array of tools that are attached to long lengths of steel cable. To top it all off there is a built in track pump.

Nice to see some companies getting it right. Problem is I might find myself popping in on the weekend to use the stand to carry out a full service...