Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Echoes of Harringay: 'Useless' bike racks at Turnpike Lane are being passed off as 'art'
Image: T&WG Indy
In an echo of the episode in Harringay last year, the T&WG Indy carried the following story this week:
Bike racks outside a tube station are now “public art” according to the council.
People have claimed it was difficult to lock more than one of two bikes securely to the metal objects, which were constructed outside Turnpike Lane station.
Now, Haringey Council have said that they were always intended as an artwork, rather than being badly installed – but that people are welcome to lock their bicycles to them.
In response to a constituent’s question, the council said: “The recycled bike racks have now been installed not to be used as cycle stands. The works have been implemented to the agreed design as a piece of public art.
“If cyclists wish to lock their cycles to them it is at their discretion.”The response was posted on twitter and has been derided by some members of the public.
More on the T&WG Indy website.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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Itsjono – agree with the points you make.
Cycle facilities need not and should not cause conflict. Vehicle facilities (roads?) can cause conflict with pedestrians and worse. Can I invite you, as a resident, to bring this matter to the formal attention of one of your local Councillors?
The Turnpike Lane example is one of unconscious contempt towards cycling. I can think of other examples in our Borough where the goal has been – not to improve cycling facilities – but rather, to use up a budget for cycling (and to be able to quote £X thousand spent on cycling provision).
A small example of Haringey Council having a laugh is the cycling route across the corner of Stroud Green and Woodstock Roads. It's a bit faded now, but is still evidence of disdain and disinterest in serious cycling provision. There are others.
One cycling advocate I read, believes that instances of unsympathetic spending on cycling are made deliberately, in order to prove that spending on cycling is a waste of money. There's probably little sympathy in Highways (re-styled "Sustainable Transport") for cycling and sadly, their political masters pay lip service only.
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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That seems to be Britain all over, not just Haringey.
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True John, but my suggestion (above) that Haringey's provision for cycling was amongst the worst of any Borough in London I heard in a private meeting, from a senior source at our Council.
I can believe it.
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Permalink Reply by Itsjono on
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Clive-
I originally wrote to Cllr Antonia Mallett, as she is the active travel or cycling advocate or some such, as well as being my ward councillor.
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Permalink Reply by Lydia R on
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I have looked up a list of public art in Haringey on this page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_public_art_in_Haringeyand cannot find any mention of them.However, I do have a follow-up question. If they are not really bike stands, but an art installation, is that grotesque mockery of Oliver Tambo in the Albert Road Park not in fact an art installation but a bike stand?
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