Idea for bike park in London - SV650.org

26-09-06, 08:13 AM

Hi guys, this is my first post and I was pointed here from another forum (thank you JessicaRabbit). I just moved to London and had my bike nicked within a month from outside my flat. It had a disc lock, chain and datatool alarm, and was covered - obviously this just isn't enough security

Rather than ust buy another to get nicked again, I've been thinking of setting up some kind of bike lock-up in London. The basic idea is to locate it by good public transport (to get there), on the cusp of some great bike routes away from the city (for some hooning) and put a security guard in there to prevent any theft. Price wise would have to be cheaper than garages, obviously. Each bike will have it's own lock-up. I've been speaking to people at Carol Nash - there's a good possibility of serious insurance discounts if your bike is kept under guard.

Also I'll put in a couple of work-ramps and some tools so the guys can work on the bikes, and hopefully the more experienced of us can help out the new guys with mechanics and what-not.

Now - if you guys could let me know if you think it's a good idea, or a rubbish idea, or know a location that might be good, or want to help out as a partner, then please let me know. Basically between the lease and the security, breaking even would take quite a few bikes - so I need to really guage if it could work or not before actually putting it to work.

Cheers guys! Rob.

SoulKiss · 26-09-06, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertie01

Hi guys, this is my first post and I was pointed here from another forum (thank you JessicaRabbit). I just moved to London and had my bike nicked within a month from outside my flat. It had a disc lock, chain and datatool alarm, and was covered - obviously this just isn't enough security

Rather than ust buy another to get nicked again, I've been thinking of setting up some kind of bike lock-up in London. The basic idea is to locate it by good public transport (to get there), on the cusp of some great bike routes away from the city (for some hooning) and put a security guard in there to prevent any theft. Price wise would have to be cheaper than garages, obviously. Each bike will have it's own lock-up. I've been speaking to people at Carol Nash - there's a good possibility of serious insurance discounts if your bike is kept under guard.

Also I'll put in a couple of work-ramps and some tools so the guys can work on the bikes, and hopefully the more experienced of us can help out the new guys with mechanics and what-not.

Now - if you guys could let me know if you think it's a good idea, or a rubbish idea, or know a location that might be good, or want to help out as a partner, then please let me know. Basically between the lease and the security, breaking even would take quite a few bikes - so I need to really guage if it could work or not before actually putting it to work.

Cheers guys! Rob.

This would only work for weekend warriors - why would I want to commute by public transport to get my bike to commute to work?

Putting in work-ramps and tools opens you up to all sorts of legal problems - what if someone gets hurt by a ramp? Also you expect tools to stay there if they are "public domain" - I guess you could have the security guard check them in and out.

Dont really see how it could/would fly when a decent ground anchor and chain/d-lock are not THAT expensive - certainly what it would probably cost me for 6 months rent at some "super-park" would REALLY beef up security at my own place.

Just my thoughts

David

Spiderman · 26-09-06, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

This would only work for weekend warriors - why would I want to commute by public transport to get my bike to commute to work?

I'm feeling the same way as this. My bike is my freedom and i cant see myself getting kitted up to get on a bus or tube and then off again to get on my bike.
But then again my commute to work door to door normaly takes less time than waiting for a bus does.

26-09-06, 01:05 PM

Cheers for response guys, I really appreciate it. I was thinking about the kind of guys who live in flats without the space for ground anchors and the like, but all the feedback is useful. You're certainly right, "weekend warriors" would be target.

26-09-06, 01:12 PM

Might be plenty of weekend riders ('weekend warrior' tag so lame...there's plenty of guys dont need to, cant or just dont ride to work) with nice bikes that would need a garage. If I lived in a flat in Bristol and it was convenient Id certainly use it, would be far cheaper than renting a garage or buying a property with parking. Kit store would be useful so you could walk in normal clothes and change there. No different from having to drive to your weekend hobby ( boat or something)....loads of folks do that.
I nearly moved into town to a flat and one real worry for me was garaging, and in fact one reason I didnt move. I would have done just what you are poposing, except using less secure work parking, which itself would have been a worry and actually not strictly allowed. Also it would not have attracted a 'garaged' discount which you MAY be able to arrange.
For every 20 'no's' there may be one yes, which would add to plenty.

Btw, a garage in Bristol to rent in a decent area is about £60 per month is you can find one, and that's not necessarily that secure (unguarded, garage blocks etc).

(I know your talking London, just mapping across my thoughts on this from last year)

SoulKiss · 26-09-06, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

Might be plenty of weekend riders ('weekend warrior' tag so lame...there's plenty of guys dont need to, cant or just dont ride to work)

I didn't mean it as a term of derision - I agree and can see exactly where you are coming from

Was just using a well-known term to get what I meant across as succinctly as possible

David

26-09-06, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

Btw, a garage in Bristol to rent in a decent area is about £60 per month is you can find one, and that's not necessarily that secure (unguarded, garage blocks etc).

(I know your talking London, just mapping across my thoughts on this from last year)

Bench mark - I recently rented a garage around the corner from my flat for £30 a week

26-09-06, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertie01

Hi guys, this is my first post and I was pointed here from another forum (thank you JessicaRabbit).

Most welcome...

Stu · 26-09-06, 09:15 PM

Hi
There was a thread before about secure parking by inevitable.
but it got lost when the forum was reverted to back up.
You could pm inevitable for a summary.
http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.ph...hlight=parking

.

30-09-06, 01:43 PM

I think that it certainly has potential. Not necessary something I would use myself as I use the bike as my sole transport as well as weekend rides and I have reasonably secure parking (almax chain to immovable object, disk lock, alarm, cctv).

I guess usage would also depend on how secure people perceived it to be. A security guard by themselves wouldn’t necessarily make prevent any theft. If the place wasn’t perceived as the bike equivalent of Fort Knox then it could be seen as an ideal target for bike crime. Thieves would just knick the largest van they could fine and be stealing dozens of bikes at a time.

What did you have in mind when you said each bike will have its own lock-up? A parking space with a ground anchor or an individual bike safe per bike? It would make sense to provide some form of secure lockers for people to keep bike gear in and to lock street clothes/valuables in when they are out on the bike.

What about access to the building. Would punters have to sign-in? Would it be 24hr?

Many more questions spring to mind but I won’t bore you with them all. I think it’s a great idea but it would need some serious thought to get it up and running. I have no idea whether there is a market for this but if you find that there is then I’d say go for it.

Good Luck and let us know how you get on.

26-09-06, 08:13 AM	#1
bertie01 Guest Posts: n/a	Idea for bike park in London Hi guys, this is my first post and I was pointed here from another forum (thank you JessicaRabbit). I just moved to London and had my bike nicked within a month from outside my flat. It had a disc lock, chain and datatool alarm, and was covered - obviously this just isn't enough security Rather than ust buy another to get nicked again, I've been thinking of setting up some kind of bike lock-up in London. The basic idea is to locate it by good public transport (to get there), on the cusp of some great bike routes away from the city (for some hooning) and put a security guard in there to prevent any theft. Price wise would have to be cheaper than garages, obviously. Each bike will have it's own lock-up. I've been speaking to people at Carol Nash - there's a good possibility of serious insurance discounts if your bike is kept under guard. Also I'll put in a couple of work-ramps and some tools so the guys can work on the bikes, and hopefully the more experienced of us can help out the new guys with mechanics and what-not. Now - if you guys could let me know if you think it's a good idea, or a rubbish idea, or know a location that might be good, or want to help out as a partner, then please let me know. Basically between the lease and the security, breaking even would take quite a few bikes - so I need to really guage if it could work or not before actually putting it to work. Cheers guys! Rob.

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26-09-06, 01:05 PM	#4
bertie01 Guest Posts: n/a	Cheers for response guys, I really appreciate it. I was thinking about the kind of guys who live in flats without the space for ground anchors and the like, but all the feedback is useful. You're certainly right, "weekend warriors" would be target.

26-09-06, 01:12 PM	#5
the white rabbit Guest Posts: n/a	Might be plenty of weekend riders ('weekend warrior' tag so lame...there's plenty of guys dont need to, cant or just dont ride to work) with nice bikes that would need a garage. If I lived in a flat in Bristol and it was convenient Id certainly use it, would be far cheaper than renting a garage or buying a property with parking. Kit store would be useful so you could walk in normal clothes and change there. No different from having to drive to your weekend hobby ( boat or something)....loads of folks do that. I nearly moved into town to a flat and one real worry for me was garaging, and in fact one reason I didnt move. I would have done just what you are poposing, except using less secure work parking, which itself would have been a worry and actually not strictly allowed. Also it would not have attracted a 'garaged' discount which you MAY be able to arrange. For every 20 'no's' there may be one yes, which would add to plenty. Btw, a garage in Bristol to rent in a decent area is about £60 per month is you can find one, and that's not necessarily that secure (unguarded, garage blocks etc). (I know your talking London, just mapping across my thoughts on this from last year)

26-09-06, 09:15 PM	#9
Stu Trinity Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Guildford Posts: 8,027	Hi There was a thread before about secure parking by inevitable. but it got lost when the forum was reverted to back up. You could pm inevitable for a summary. http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.ph...hlight=parking .

30-09-06, 01:43 PM	#10
Oneiros Guest Posts: n/a	I think that it certainly has potential. Not necessary something I would use myself as I use the bike as my sole transport as well as weekend rides and I have reasonably secure parking (almax chain to immovable object, disk lock, alarm, cctv). I guess usage would also depend on how secure people perceived it to be. A security guard by themselves wouldn’t necessarily make prevent any theft. If the place wasn’t perceived as the bike equivalent of Fort Knox then it could be seen as an ideal target for bike crime. Thieves would just knick the largest van they could fine and be stealing dozens of bikes at a time. What did you have in mind when you said each bike will have its own lock-up? A parking space with a ground anchor or an individual bike safe per bike? It would make sense to provide some form of secure lockers for people to keep bike gear in and to lock street clothes/valuables in when they are out on the bike. What about access to the building. Would punters have to sign-in? Would it be 24hr? Many more questions spring to mind but I won’t bore you with them all. I think it’s a great idea but it would need some serious thought to get it up and running. I have no idea whether there is a market for this but if you find that there is then I’d say go for it. Good Luck and let us know how you get on.