Cycle Parking in London - straw poll

[Chris O'Hearn]

I'm just trying to work up an idea regarding cycle parking in central London and as someone who works in research I always like to start with some data, so perhaps my fellow Paragons can help before I take it to a wider audience.

My initial premise is that people sometimes don't make cycle journeys into central London because of concerns about cycle theft... or that they use a crappy bike when they would really like to use something nicer.

The type of cycle locks that might protect a valuable bike are very heavy and expensive. There's evidence to suggest their main effect is to just divert thieves to other bikes and if the target is worth the thieves' effort then the bike is still vulnerable.

Now think along the lines of being able to turn up at pretty much any bike rack in Zone 1 and having access to a massively heavy steel chain and lock which probably weighs more than your bike and comes with a guarantee against being broken. For the purposes of the research just assume there is no question about the security.

So the question is... if you had this ultra-secure guaranteed way to lock your bike for a small charge (say 50p per hour, or a couple of pounds for a day) would you use it? Would it make you more likely to ride in, and/or more likely to use a different bike. Or would you just not risk it or simply not think it was worth it.

[Deleted]

I guess the problem is that if you have a nice bike, the components are nice too and therefore ripe for thievery. A heavy steel chain would only protect frame and one poss two wheels, saddles, shifters bars etc are all still at risk. So then you're in the territory of riding a lower quality bike which a couple of good D locks would suffice for.

[Deleted]

I'd worry about some tw*t smashing frame / wheels on my decent bikes, even if they couldn't nick them. Can't see me ever leaving best bike(s) on the street for an extended period. Anyway, they are insured if worst does happen.

[samcrossley]

I'd be more inclined to use it after work to get around, but there'd have to be a large no. of locks, and tbh a hire bike would do the job almost as well.
Avoiding a late night return to the office to collect my own bike might sway me occasionally, but also rules out the option of using public transport to get home late at night.

I'd never leave a 'nice' bike outside alone in zone one.

In all probability the locks would get nicked.

[ian white]

I'd possibly use it for an unexpected, meet someone for a pint after work but don't have a lock situation. At the moment I'd either decline the beer or leave my bike at work.

Ian

[David Joss Buckley]

I work at home, rarely commute, but often cycle into town of an evening.  Usually in the South Bank area, for theatres, the BFI, pubs and restaurants.  I'm usually on my 'worst' bike, which is still a fairly decent Kona with 105 groupset and Mavic wheels.  I'd be upset if it was nicked so I carry a heavy Arbus U-lock and a full-length armoured cable to thread through the wheels on the 'easier to nick someone else's bike' assumption. 

If as you say security was not an issue, I'd definitely be happy to pay for parking.  Lockers would be a useful extra, too.

[Andy Davidson]

H2 run / cycle literally offer this in soho. And I used it as a member for a few years. It's a great facility. But I still didn't ride my nice bike in. Apart from the fact I want mudguards for inevitable downpours I just don't want to risk my beloved carbon fibre on the inevitable commuting prangs. These days I work on sourhbank and ride into meetings in town once or twice a week. I try to work with clients and partners who let me bring my bike inside. But otherwise use a meaty lock and just assume it's going to be nicked every time!

[hectorkidds]

I use a 1993 kona mtb for the commute, and with a decent D lock and cable I'm happy to leave it pretty much anywhere, it's geeked up with full guards, a rack and reflective stickers, and it never gets washed, and I think it's all but invisible to thieves as a result. I never leave my nice bikes out as has previously been said, I don't want them scratched or the bits going missing.

I would however be happy to pay a few quid on days when I wanted to use a nice bike straight from work to put it in a locker where it was not going to get pinched or scratched, but it would have to be really quite close to the office.

[leslie anstee]

It's a shame they don't put cameras at cycle parks with internet connection so you can view it on your phone but lockers would be best. I wouldn't like to leave my best bike out as bits can get taken