Livingston Shopping Centre - Bike Parking

[marooncat]

This is a long shot I know but does anyone have a suggestion on the best place to lock my bike at Livingston Shopping centre this evening. I have totally forgotten that I have a haircut tonight and have cycled to work so think I will cycle there from work then home (other option is leave bike at the office, walk to the hairdresser then come back for the bike but that is going to make me really late home). I just can not think of anywhere where I can leave my bike locked safely so am wondering if anyone has any suggestions (ideally at the Asda end of the centre)

No matter what I will upset my hairdresser when she realises I will be putting my bike helmet on straight after her spending ages doing my hair..

 

[soulful dog]

No idea about that particular shopping centre but when at any Asda I either lock my bike to the nearest pole/fence to the entrance or next to the trolleys - I figure that way it's in full view of a lot of people and likely to attract attention if someone tries to nick it.

 

[marooncat]

I am going out for my lunchtime walk soon and am going on a reccy down there to see what options there are for me.

BF has offered to come and pick me up if I leave my bike in the office tonight but I do not want to go down that route.

 

[snorri]

It won't help on this occasion, but when you are being shorn tell your hairdresser of your cycle parking predicament. Ask her to raise the issue with a local business association. Write to the councillor for the shopping area as well as your local councillor, write to the head of the transport division of the local authority, join your local cycle campaigning group.
It's a busy life when you are trying to get facilities for cyclists!

 

[marooncat]

I actually emailed the shopping centre at lunchtime and they do say they have got bike racks. These are the other end of the centre from where I want to go but I think I will go and investigate them to see if they are safe and secure. If not I will go for the places I worked out at Asda at lunchtime!!

The end of the centre they are at is a new part, only opened last year, so I guess they have put the racks in as "tick in the boxes" and therefore I dread to think what they will be like.

 

[snorri]

The end of the centre they are at is a new part, only opened last year, so I guess they have put the racks in as "tick in the boxes" and therefore I dread to think what they will be like.

If they are not Sheffield Stands installed like this,
http://www.cyclefriendlyemployers.org.uk/downloads/Sheffield_Stand_Installation.pdf

then get you along to the Cooncil and create a stushie.

 

[marooncat]

If they are not Sheffield Stands installed like this,
http://www.cyclefriendlyemployers.org.uk/downloads/Sheffield_Stand_Installation.pdf

then get you along to the Cooncil and create a stushie.

Aye it was some of them. Not sure it the dimensions were right but it was enough for me to lock my bike to, both front and back wheels about matched up with the pipes.

One lot was in a decent place, busy and I felt safe (ish) leaving my bike there, over looked by resturants and bus stops. Another lot was in a little used back enterance to the shopping centre that nothing over looks. Needless to say that will never be used by me. I am not exactly sure about the third lot (will need to go on a walk that way one lunchtime to find out exactly where they are) but suspect that is not that good a location either.

So I suppose 1/3 is better than nothing.

 

[Noodley]

Ok, at risk of being practical and blokey....just prop it against the wall/window outside the hairdressers. Or is it an inside shopping place? In which case, wheel it in. And why not just not bother with a helmet? Your choice - look glam in casualty or ruin the hair

 

[marooncat]

It is an inside shopping place and they ban bikes (and I have seen people being escorted out of the centre by "security" for pushing a bike in there) so that is not an option. Also I am paranoid about it being stolen (was worried today with three locks on it ) so would not leave it not locked to something imoveable...

Actually forgot helmet tonight (rushing out of work as normal running late for appointment) and did not have time to get security pass out of bottom of pannier to get back in for it. However still hair looked like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards when I got home. I think full marks for my BF who managed the heartfelt statement "your hair looks lovely darling" when I walked in the door

 

[Noodley]

I think full marks for my BF who managed the heartfelt statement "your hair looks lovely darling" when I walked in the door

Aye, no' paying attention!

 

[marooncat]

I did make some comment about it standing out at 90 deg to my head (I have shoulder length hair - not the best for bikes) but he said he thought it must have been meant to be like that !!!

 

[snorri]

(and I have seen people being escorted out of the centre by "security" for pushing a bike in there)

I have been one of these people, and this is one of the reasons I encourage others to complain to the appropriate people in the hope that we can educate developers and planners into providing facilities that welcome all customers regardless of mode of travel.

 

[HLaB]

Backed by the newish planning laws in Scotland, Councils are more aware of providing for cyclists and usually insist on the Sheffield type stand as per chapeter 11 of cycling by design.

 

[marooncat]

Intresting document HLab, and it explains why they have put them in at the new centre (opened last year). However think they fall down on most of these points for them - ok location is ok, outside the three enterance to the new centre and Easy to use is fine but the rest is not really that well done.

(i) Conveniently located;
(ii) Secure;
(iii) Easy to use;
(iv) Adequately lit;
(v) Well signed and, preferably,
(vi) Sheltered.

 

[snorri]

Easy to use is fine but the rest is not really that well done.

Sadly this is so often the case.
Marooncat, could we encourage you to write a letter to the local authority planning department who should have been supervising this development?.



http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/1210/161/188/onlineplanning