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by admin on 6 February, 2011
The new bike racks in the Blue are not universally loved.
They have been derided by many a cyclist. It seems they were chosen by non-cyclists for aesthetics , rather than practical values.
I’m not sure why council officers didn’t ask the wonderful Southwark Cyclists.
I’m sure they would have requested Sheffield racks – the benchmark for cycle security
Personally I manage OK with the new Italian racks, but then I am the type of cyclist who carries:
1 Kryptonite Fahgetaboudit
2 Abus Granit
3 Abus Sinus
Overkill maybe, but it beats walking home!
About a year ago landscape architects working for Southwark Council chose some bike racks out of a catalogue and installed them as part of the redevelopment at Elephant and Castle. Neither architect nor project manager knew anything about bike racks, and the racks were useless. Southwark Cyclists spotted them quickly, and the Council realised the mistake fast and replaced them with simple Sheffield stands…those upside down U’s.
Now some other non-cyclists have chosen another type of racks out of a catalogue and put these horrors in at The Blue.
These ugly front-wheel grippers are not fit for purpose. New cyclists won’t be able to lock their bikes up properly and each space costs £300 instead of £40 for the so much better Sheffields.
Please let’s replace these horrors before others copy them.
Barry Mason
Coordinator
Southwark Cyclists
The above is a posting from Barry Mason.
Barry was much loved, and is much missed by us all.
Thanks Barry – you were an inspiration