Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
New Bicycle racks on Green Lanes
Hi Everyone
Here is a photo showing the new bicycle racks that are starting to be installed as part of the Green Lanes project. The contractor is currently installing the racks in the side roads followed by Green Lanes after Christmas.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lauren on
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That is what is happening. Or are we only allowed to "engage" if we agree and brown-nose?
As I said I was only asking because I genuinely want to know. I'm sure "I'm not the only one" either.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Of course you want to know and of course you have a right to ask, but to me the line of questioning felt rather confrontational. Enough said; let's move on.
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Jeez you'll be telling me not to get my knickers in a twist and go put the kettle on and be a good girl next.
I'm sure Emina has encountered worse "confrontation" in her political career than me asking her about bike stands!!!!
Anyway I've got better things to do than listen to you scolding me, have a nice afternoon Hugh!
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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Hugh, I don't think I have been strident. Boringly repetitious, perhaps, in an attempt to get Emine to answer my question ( which she still hasn't done ).
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Yes. Exactly. (Last para). I was asking because I genuinely want to know/understand the situation. Was not being rude or trying to show anybody up. I'm not a politician, just a taxpayer, and somebody with common sense and a no nonsense attitude so I struggle to understand how on earth this could have happened and why we didn't just get proper ones. That is all. I'm sorry (for them) that people are choosing to read something in to my line of questioning.
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Permalink Reply by Jayvee on
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People are rightfully angry about this. I am not sure why the traders association would need to be consulted or have the right to have any input into cycle racks? but I suspect the designs were chosen as they are some bizarre halfway house between a bench and a cycle rack.
The facts remain:
a) they are not fit for the purpose of locking a bike to as they are flimsy, the wrong size and shape and have no central bar to lock to.
b) they are dangerous with sharp edges and are a poor choice for street furntiture.
c) they are not visible enough and pose a risk to people with vision problems.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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somebody with common sense and a no nonsense attitude
Lauren, I find this an excellent place to start when considering most things!
I approach this from the point of view of a user, rather than a stylist. I live close enough to Green Lanes that I don't cycle there but I walk. However, I do use bike stands elsewhere.
We need to encourage cycling, yet bicycle theft is common. One only has to look at the number of bike parts remaining tethered to stands to see how much else has gone missing: only the owner will know when a whole bike disappears.
I carry the optimum number of locks: two D-locks (one for each wheel, ideally to go through both frame and stand). Plus cable if needed.
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What's absent from these elegant, rectilinear styles, is a good range of securing positions. What's missing, is a recognition that bicycles come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and lengths. That they might look nice is, IMO, not the point. I don't think enough care and attention has gone in.
Will lessons be learnt?
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Permalink Reply by pamish on
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Have they been tested against a battery-powered angle grinder? That's the tool of choice for cycle thieves now, and there are plenty of films online of them being used in broad daylight and no-one interfering. Hi-vis jackets are good for invisibility. Those square corners are a good place to start cutting, easier than rounded ones.
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Pam, little will deter the most determined thief.
Are you arguing against any provision?
Don't get me wrong: I welcome the fact that there are cycle racks along Green Lanes.
IMO however, they could and should have been better. Form should follow function: these styles owe more to fashion and to making a "design" statement, than to making a serious contribution to cycling provision.
I note that the Haringey Cycling Campaign has remarked on the "new" racks too:
Great.Similar poorly installed stands again.cc @neightgreen RT @itsjono: @HaringeyCyclist you seen these? Angry now. pic.twitter.com/yAPdjvirkf
— Haringey Cycling (@HaringeyCyclist) December 18, 2014
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No, I'm saying that square edges are easier to attack than round ones. I do know that the only sure way to keep a bike is to marry it.
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Permalink Reply by Cllr Emina Ibrahim on
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I think if the issue is the quality of installation then that needs to be dealt with and I will raise it as am not a technical expert. However i hope it's appreciated that in terms of aesthetics everyone will not have the same taste.
Although we could be really creative and just say - right everyone pick a cycle design they like and we can have every stand different ! Now that would look fabulous and cool like a bit of an art installation ! I am not jesting but I do think that if I suggested that now Cllr McNamara and officers would fall off their chairs :)
I still love the idea of street art on or around them !
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Good to have you on line Emine however re "we could be really creative and just say - right everyone pick a cycle design they like and we can have every stand different !"
I think the point is that there was near consensus form HoL discussions that the stand recommended by Haringey, Dept of transport, cyclists, and locals was the Sheffield stand. Most people on the relevant threads wondered why there was any need to re-invent the stands when perfectly tried and tested stands were readily available and they were much cheaper too.
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