butterfly bike stands at work

[terry_gardener]

as per my post in cummuting i went to work on my bike yesterday for the first time.

only problem is that my works only got butterfly bike stands which i don't want to use because they only secure one wheel and can also damage the bike (from reading the article from sustrans).

when i parked the bike i was able to lock the bike to the railings that the butterfly stands where attached to so that i can lock it up properly however there is only room for 3 bikes to do this and it seems others cyclists have the same idea as theses spaces fill up quickly.

would you use these butterfly stands or find another place to lock the bike outside the carpark/cctv.

 

[ttcycle]

Butterfly stands are not a good rack design. In London bikes secured this way are ripe for stealing as you can only secure the front wheel and a lot of bikes have quick release front wheels. If it's possibole, ask your employer to install better racks that are cemented into the ground rather than bolted in.

Worth leaving note on the other bikes if you don't know who the other cyclists are as it seems that others think the stands aren't that good too-if a few of you approach your employer together it might get things changed.

 

[HLaB]

If I was nipping into shops and that is all that is available (Wheel Benders) and I was carrying a secondary lock, I would use them but they are unsuitable for everything especially leaving a bike for a long time (a commute). Edit CCTV IMO is nearly useless too.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I have to use this type of stand at college to secure my bike. I put the bike in backwards and can get my D lock onto the butterfly stand, through multiple wheel spokes and through the frame (but only on one side), therefore leaving only the front wheel unsecure. Where we are, the front wheel not being secure is not an issue.

 

[Cheshire Celt]

^^^^^^ unless some one nicks your front wheel

 

[summerdays]

At one place where I've had to use them, I've turned the bike sideways to the stand to lock it (it does take up a number of stands - on the other hand not that many people tend to cycle to places that have that type of stand). And if they complained I would ask them to explain how else you could possibly lock your bike up securely to them.

 

[MrJamie]

I have to use this type of stand at college to secure my bike. I put the bike in backwards and can get my D lock onto the butterfly stand, through multiple wheel spokes and through the frame (but only on one side), therefore leaving only the front wheel unsecure. Where we are, the front wheel not being secure is not an issue.

You could get an Abus Cobra or Kryptoflex (sp?) cable for under a tenner that you can loop through the front wheel and back to the D-lock, you can also carry it wrapped around the D-lock lock part so isnt really any extra hassle.

Mines like one of these http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=142315

 

[Norm]

I lock mine sideways on to the wheel benders at work, there are only three stands and two of us who cycle, but I use one of the end stands so it doesn't block one of the others.

I've also got a 2m Cobra cable to offer some security for the front wheel, although it's kept in an underground car park so there's no passing eyeballs.

 

[terry_gardener]

sadly there isn't enough room to secure it sideways as there is about 6+ people who cycle and some use the butterfly stands correctly.

if the 3 places are taken of the bike stand railings i don't like the idea of using the butterfly stand properly or locking it to the railing on the public footpath that goes along the river for 8 hrs as it is a cube agree sl.

the thing is there is posters in the break area with ditch the car and walk or cycle to work, and all they supply is these crappy bike stands it is daft (i guess it was the cheapest option)

i think i might just walk to work and continue just cycling leisurely until things change, as i am only on a temp contract to next month anyway.

thanks for the comments everyone

 

[Nebulous]

I've just had this. New job, 4 months in, about 5-6 cyclists and we all chain our bikes to the railings outside the back door at the car park. Facilities management sent an email round saying we had to stop leaving our bikes there and move them to the butterfly bars. To help ease worries they have fitted a new camera pointed to the butterfly bars. I found this and sent it to them. It's a brief summary of guidance out there, basically saying butterfly bars are not fit for purpose. I'm still awaiting a response. Three of us are parking across the bars as described, but between them and the carpark is a narrow pavement and our bikes are now intruding onto the pavement. As some people have very big cars, if a car is parked with a big overhang it can be difficult walking between the cars and the bikes. One person is using butterfly bars as they are intended. One person is resolutely sticking with the railings and one bike seems to have disappeared / given up though he could have left, be off sick, be a fair weather or daylight only cyclist.