Parking in London - does no-one have any mutual respect?
Discussion
After a change in jobs over the summer, I now commute to Holborn every day. Parking bays for bikes fill up very quick, so an early start is required to get a decent space for my brilliant new Tiger 1050.
However, what I've found most despressing is the shocking levels of disrespect other bikers have for your pride and joy. Scooter riders are definitely the worst for this, literally jamming their little crapmobiles in between the bikes with no regard for anyone elses 2-wheeled artwork.
Within a week of fitting a replacement screen (a low screen that I imported from NZ) it was broken by some selfish
who dragged my bike about a foot and a half (setting the alarm off) so they could get their sh1tbox in. Needless to say, they'd conveniently left early that day so I couldn't tell who'd done it (mostly the same lot of bikes in the 2 bays I use).
The nett result, is that I've decided that it's pointless having a decent bike for use in London. I was half tempted to get some old commuter CB500 hack, but I would like something that's not completely 'rat'
So the Tiger is up for sale (see classifieds on PH
) and I'm replacing with an '01 TDM 850. I had one back in '97 and I still rate it as one of the best all rounders ever.
Rant over
However, what I've found most despressing is the shocking levels of disrespect other bikers have for your pride and joy. Scooter riders are definitely the worst for this, literally jamming their little crapmobiles in between the bikes with no regard for anyone elses 2-wheeled artwork.
Within a week of fitting a replacement screen (a low screen that I imported from NZ) it was broken by some selfish
who dragged my bike about a foot and a half (setting the alarm off) so they could get their sh1tbox in. Needless to say, they'd conveniently left early that day so I couldn't tell who'd done it (mostly the same lot of bikes in the 2 bays I use).The nett result, is that I've decided that it's pointless having a decent bike for use in London. I was half tempted to get some old commuter CB500 hack, but I would like something that's not completely 'rat'
So the Tiger is up for sale (see classifieds on PH
) and I'm replacing with an '01 TDM 850. I had one back in '97 and I still rate it as one of the best all rounders ever.Rant over
Honestly, this used to drive me mental. Generally scooters, would turn up late and ram their pieces of sh!t along side my then lovely R6. They couldn;t care less. A few times I had to get help to get my bike out.
A private space is the only way forward, if not possible the yep, a commuting hack.
Sad state of affairs eh?
A private space is the only way forward, if not possible the yep, a commuting hack.
Sad state of affairs eh?
Yup - it sucks. The scooters all look as if they've been driven over by a bendy-bus, so hey just don't care. What really irks me is that the riders are generally (and this is of course a sweeping generalisation) - young city types in expensive suits. If I came along and wiped dog sh1t over their latest shiny single breaster they'd be livid - SO KEEP YOUR SH1TTY CRAPBOX AWAY FROM MY BIKE!!!!
Stig said:
Yup - it sucks. The scooters all look as if they've been driven over by a bendy-bus, so hey just don't care. What really irks me is that the riders are generally (and this is of course a sweeping generalisation) - young city types in expensive suits. If I came along and wiped dog sh1t over their latest shiny single breaster they'd be livid - SO KEEP YOUR SH1TTY CRAPBOX AWAY FROM MY BIKE!!!!
Spot on.
So much to agree with the above posters......
I hate the average scooter rider, they really couldn't give a s**t about anyone elses property, wouldn't it be a shame if some of them found padlocks on the wheels.....or massive stickers that read, "I take it up the arse" (the kind which are a bugger to peel off of course)
EDIT:
Actually I've found the bikers to be OK in general, and I'll have a chat with some of them in the morning. One thing is the stupid t**ts who painted the bike bays have made them rather small, meaning anyone with a bike with a slightly large wheelbase has to park at an angle to avoid getting a ticket from the parking wardens.
I hate the average scooter rider, they really couldn't give a s**t about anyone elses property, wouldn't it be a shame if some of them found padlocks on the wheels.....or massive stickers that read, "I take it up the arse" (the kind which are a bugger to peel off of course)
EDIT:
Actually I've found the bikers to be OK in general, and I'll have a chat with some of them in the morning. One thing is the stupid t**ts who painted the bike bays have made them rather small, meaning anyone with a bike with a slightly large wheelbase has to park at an angle to avoid getting a ticket from the parking wardens.
Edited by Wyvern971 on Wednesday 19th September 09:30
Stig said:
Yup - it sucks. The scooters all look as if they've been driven over by a bendy-bus, so hey just don't care. What really irks me is that the riders are generally (and this is of course a sweeping generalisation) - young city types in expensive suits. If I came along and wiped dog sh1t over their latest shiny single breaster they'd be livid - SO KEEP YOUR SH1TTY CRAPBOX AWAY FROM MY BIKE!!!!
You're absolutely bang on there Stig. Makes me 
on a regular basis. London is just not the place for a nice bike, if it's not dinged and scraped by the scooter jockeys, it's a target for theft. TDM sounds like a good plan. Steve.
Edited by Steve_T on Wednesday 19th September 09:44
dxg said:
Stig said:
What really irks me is that the riders are generally (and this is of course a sweeping generalisation) - young city types in expensive suits.
Or Architects, in my experience...
As an Engineer who spends every day having deal with curse of Architects that struck a chord...
As much as it pains me to say it, when I was contemplating a job offer that would have involved a commute into the City, it was for the reasons stated in above posts that I was going to get a scooter on the basis of if you can't beat em etc.
I wouldn't give a toss about what happened to it, unlike with a bike, as it would be shagged within 12-18 months and would need replacing anyway.
Obviously, though a scooter isn't an option if your doing a 100 mile a day commute in from the shires, so in that case, yes a hack bike would be my choice as well.
My vote is stay out of London. Always a pain in the ass to get in, park and get out. Any time that we get asked to work in London we double it and we still end up out of pocket as it costs to much to be there. Mad! No one seems to give a damn about anyone else or their bikes or cars or anything!
Keep it, I am moving to the moon. Loads of free parking and a nice sunset!
Keep it, I am moving to the moon. Loads of free parking and a nice sunset!
makatya said:
My vote is stay out of London. Always a pain in the ass to get in, park and get out. Any time that we get asked to work in London we double it and we still end up out of pocket as it costs to much to be there. Mad! No one seems to give a damn about anyone else or their bikes or cars or anything!
Keep it, I am moving to the moon. Loads of free parking and a nice sunset!
Right, only flaw in that plan is that my office is IN Holborn. I don't have any other choice - short of resigning of course Keep it, I am moving to the moon. Loads of free parking and a nice sunset!
Ballon said:
I found this so now park in the nearest C of L car park. All of them provide free parking for bikes. If you go on the C of L web site you can see where they are.
Still need to take care though as t**ts still frequent these to, but much better than parking on the street.
I have ridden in for the last three years - and always park in a C of L car park. Never had any issues - and they are (normally) manned and have CCTV.Still need to take care though as t**ts still frequent these to, but much better than parking on the street.
I did once park on the street and came back to find that I could not get bike out of space due to inconsiderate scooters - but as I normally in the car park - no issues.
I have also bought a bandit as well for commuting - so the P&J is not unnecessarily risked!
Well, the alternative is a local NCP (only about 200 yards away) for 4 quid a day. Worth it in paint repairs alone.
Btw. Went ou for a sarnie at lunch and checked the bike. Took great care this morning to park close (but not too close) to a Yam FJ, then dragged a scoot next to mine, freeing up one space next to the scoot.
Buy lunchtime, scoot was rammed right up against my bike, with another scoot rammed in next to it. Looked as if had been done by some leaner gimboid on a DT125 (now 3 bikes along from mine). I was tempted to pull all the bikes out and leave them lying in the road - AARRGHGHGHHH!HH!H!!!!
Btw. Went ou for a sarnie at lunch and checked the bike. Took great care this morning to park close (but not too close) to a Yam FJ, then dragged a scoot next to mine, freeing up one space next to the scoot.
Buy lunchtime, scoot was rammed right up against my bike, with another scoot rammed in next to it. Looked as if had been done by some leaner gimboid on a DT125 (now 3 bikes along from mine). I was tempted to pull all the bikes out and leave them lying in the road - AARRGHGHGHHH!HH!H!!!!
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