No more bike to work for me

[C8PPO]

So, as of today it seems that I can't bring the bike into work any more.

Having had a bike nicked from work 2 years ago, from a far more secure car park than where I work now, when I come to work by bike I have always parked next to one of the only (the only) lamp post which is accessible within the car park, so that I have something to chain it to. Most of the lighting here is mounted to the building, ergo no posts. Since the smoking ban, they've put up a bus shelter near to that particular lamp post, and designated part of the fire assembly point as a bike park. Security in that area? Nada. Anything to chain to in that area? Nope. But I can't park near the smokers because it's not convenient for them and also there might be petrol fumes.

So, as a "concession" for today only from the site owners and the Health & Safety people (bl00dy ironic, that, the H&S people are worried about the smokers......), I'm chained to a metal post right by the main gate. Which is about 200 yards from the main building, which is not secure at all, and what's more puts the bike in full view of every single person passing the premises, so all the teenage spotters who get a tenner every time they call in a parked bike, all know it's there. Even though it's chained to the post, if I happened to look out of the window at the point where the thieves turned up, they'd have cut the chain with their petrol grinder and be done and gone before I could get to them anyway.

Apparently we can't put bike security in the car park because the premises don't belong to us and the owners won't allow it.

I think I might be b*ggering off and working at home for the rest of the day.

Not ferkin happy.

[dern]

C8PPO said:

So, as of today it seems that I can't bring the bike into work any more.

I think the chances of having your bike knicked if it's tucked away out of site even if not chained to anything are quite low. I know you've had your bike stolen in the past but it doesn't affect the odds of it being stolen again, just your perception of the odds. I bring mine in to work everyday and have been for years, rarely lock it to anything and frequently have to leave it out in the open. For me it's just one of the risks associated with using it which are outweighed by the positive side. You're more likely to stack it that get it knicked in my opinion. Insurance covers you for both eventualities so keep riding.

Regards,

Mark

[trumpet600]

Turn up late every day and blame it on public transport. I wonder if they would be more accomodating then?

[xspencex]

Will they agree to fixing a ground anchor? Might sort the probs out...

[C8PPO]

dern said:

C8PPO said:

So, as of today it seems that I can't bring the bike into work any more.

I think the chances of having your bike knicked if it's tucked away out of site even if not chained to anything are quite low. I know you've had your bike stolen in the past but it doesn't affect the odds of it being stolen again, just your perception of the odds. I bring mine in to work everyday and have been for years, rarely lock it to anything and frequently have to leave it out in the open. For me it's just one of the risks associated with using it which are outweighed by the positive side. You're more likely to stack it that get it knicked in my opinion. Insurance covers you for both eventualities so keep riding.

Regards,

Mark

With respect, Mark, wait until you come out in your leathers at 5pm into an undercover, electric-gated, CCTV covered car park, and then stand scratching your head and wondering if there's just the SLIGHTEST possibility that you've forgotten that you left your 6 month old K6 in another part of the car park that morning, then walk round the car park three times as the awful truth sinks in, and then tell me you wouldn't be concerned about it in future.

As for ground anchors, I've asked that today and apparently the site owners won't have it.

[dern]

C8PPO said:

dern said:

C8PPO said:

So, as of today it seems that I can't bring the bike into work any more.

I think the chances of having your bike knicked if it's tucked away out of site even if not chained to anything are quite low. I know you've had your bike stolen in the past but it doesn't affect the odds of it being stolen again, just your perception of the odds. I bring mine in to work everyday and have been for years, rarely lock it to anything and frequently have to leave it out in the open. For me it's just one of the risks associated with using it which are outweighed by the positive side. You're more likely to stack it that get it knicked in my opinion. Insurance covers you for both eventualities so keep riding.

Regards,

Mark

With respect, Mark, wait until you come out in your leathers at 5pm into an undercover, electric-gated, CCTV covered car park, and then stand scratching your head and wondering if there's just the SLIGHTEST possibility that you've forgotten that you left your 6 month old K6 in another part of the car park that morning, then walk round the car park three times as the awful truth sinks in, and then tell me you wouldn't be concerned about it in future.

I appreciate that and covered that in my reply... up to you though.

[Chilli]

Tis a bit off...them not being too helpful. Don't you have a mate who drives in that would block you in, within a space??

[C8PPO]

It's a very wide open car park so there's no real option of that either unfortunately.

Unless they see sense and put some posts or ground anchors in, there's simply no security.

The difficult part is that my team occupy offices on someone else's site. I hold a fairly senior position but carry no clout on the site/facilities aspect. Might have to put together a carefully/strongly worded note to the site manager.

I guess there's no legal liability on them though, so why would they be bothered about a small number of bikes/bikers.

[Aubrey]

Silly suggestion, but here goes, are you close to any of your colleagues that you could chain your bike to their car? Alloys or towing eye? Of course you'd have to make sure they didn't drive off lol. Just a thought.

[Darkslider]

Certainly sounds like a bummer mate, but short of parking your bike in a corner somewhere and draping it in locks, chains and disclocks on both wheels there doesn't seem to be a lot you can do.
I'd buy an old scrap MOT failure car for £50, leave it in the car park and chain your bike to that personally. They can't complain as it's not permanent surely

[UpTheIron]

All a bit of a hassle but:

- chain your bike to a colleagues car
- investigate secure parking at buildings nearby
- buy a CB500 or similarly unattractive bike and use it to commute

That said, I've turned down another 6 months at my current place because they want me to move offices to a place without bike parking!

Edited by UpTheIron on Thursday 24th July 12:28

[Mr POD]

C8PPO said:

As for ground anchors, I've asked that today and apparently the site owners won't have it.

Just to make sure that nobody is pulling your plonker, ask for the contact name and phone number and say "Don't worry, I'll get them to agree." Often you find that the person was not even asked and if they were it was one secretary asking another secretary, not one biker asking the propertt company MD. So go up a level until you get to the man at the top.

[C8PPO]

Good shout Mr P, I shall wait until I return from a low orbit thenpen something suitable.

[Sossige]

Find a new job, hand in your notice and then start chaining your bike to your old boss' car whilst you serve your notice period

[G Man]

I don't want to sound harsh, but you have insurance thats what it is there for.

Change to a low risk bike like a BMW which is too heavy to lift