Should I write to my MP?

[ChrisKH]

"Dear All,

Please note that with effect from 11 January 2010 the Tower will be introducing a nominal membership and security fee of £20.00 per annum per cyclist. The purpose of this is to formalise a bicycle register, provide good housekeeping and maintenance to the bicycle areas, ensure good access and maintain security.

If you are a bike rider and store your bike in the Tower would you please provide me with the following information by 18 December:
- type/make of your bike;
- if you store and or secure your bike within the confines of the Tower

Yours lovingly

The Boss"


Waddya think? Just received from my employers. Taxation of cyclists or fair do's? Is this cost a deductible expense? What if I bring my folder into the office? Grumble, mutter, grumble.......

 

[bonj2]

it does however give you the "what am i getting for my money" stick to beat them with

 

[ChrisKH]

Well I was thinking; does this mean I can hold them responsible if my bike is stolen? At present they have big signs up saying they aren't responsible, etc. etc.

 

[dellzeqq]

pay them a consideration and they have a contract............

 

[thomas]

Well I was thinking; does this mean I can hold them responsible if my bike is stolen? At present they have big signs up saying they aren't responsible, etc. etc.

If you've read those signs (eg. they are obvious) you've agreed to a contract with your employer. Even if you were to pay to park there, they could presumably ignore any claim against them.

 

[Aperitif]

Accept gracefully and get another bike from the Cycle To Work scheme, which your thoughtful, secure-minded and pro - cycling, loving boss will be pleased to honour.

Otherwise, step up the KH strip shows from the Gherkin.

 

[Mac66]

Are any cars kept within the confines of the tower? If so, do the owners pay a nominal fee?

 

[snorri]

The purpose of this is to ...... and maintain security.

it would appear they are going to accept responsibility for your bicycle.

 

[ChrisKH]

Accept gracefully and get another bike from the Cycle To Work scheme, which your thoughtful, secure-minded and pro - cycling, loving boss will be pleased to honour.

Otherwise, step up the KH strip shows from the Gherkin.

Chance would be a fine thing 'tif. My firm don't do Cycle to Work Scheme. They're in the Dark Ages.

 

[ChrisKH]

Are any cars kept within the confines of the tower? If so, do the owners pay a nominal fee?

Yes. But they pay £15 a day plus VAT.

I just think it's a very cynical act on their part. They have always had bikes in the basement car park, but now cycling has become popular they intend make an extra £2k a year by charging every cyclist £20. Cynical because the rental per floor here is something like £0.5m a year.

 

[Twenty Inch]

Reply asking them what liabilities they accept, do they have insurance to cover theft from or of bikes, will they be making floors safe for people in SPD/Look type pedals, what extra maintenance you can expect to see in the bike areas, will they have lockers, what purpose the Bike Register serves and what benefit it will bring, have they done a cost-benefit analysis on the whole thing, do they realise this is a contract and are they indemnified if they break it and so on and so on. If you get a couple of cycling lawyers onto it, I am sure they'll reconsider.

 

[sheddy]

Are hot showers included ?

 

[upsidedown]

£15 a day plus VAT to park a car !!! Do people actually pay that ?

 

[2Loose]

£15 a day plus VAT to park a car !!! Do people actually pay that ?

Nope, they park regardless and hope that they dopn't get a ticket. With tickets the price they are, only 2 days free parking is required to make up for the fine...lol.

I must agree with a lot that has already been said.
What does that 20quid get you for your money?
Has there been or is there ongoing consultation with the 'customers' ie. you and your colleagues about what is actually required?
Do they or can they provide showers, lockers, tools, clothing dryers, cyclescheme membership etc.?

This sounds like a great chance to try and get real benefit from your employers newfound acceptance of cycles and enable you to help steer them into a mutually beneficial relationship...

 

[Theseus]

Reply asking them what liabilities they accept, do they have insurance to cover theft from or of bikes, will they be making floors safe for people in SPD/Look type pedals, what extra maintenance you can expect to see in the bike areas, will they have lockers, what purpose the Bike Register serves and what benefit it will bring, have they done a cost-benefit analysis on the whole thing, do they realise this is a contract and are they indemnified if they break it and so on and so on. If you get a couple of cycling lawyers onto it, I am sure they'll reconsider.

Don't forget to ask about the data protection act.