Additional bike lockers at ED station

[Charlie83]

Hi,

I am a keen cyclist and use of the green bike lockers under the railway bridge outside of ED station, provided by the council through a company called Bike Away (www.bikeaway.com). I?ve found the locker to be extremely useful as I don?t have anywhere to store a bike where I live; it means that I can cycle to work, giving me much needed exercise, whilst reducing the burden on our overcrowded transport network. Since there is a waiting list for the lockers, I guessed I was not the only one who felt the same way and so I made an application through Southwark?s Cleaner, Greener, Safer programme. I?ve recently found out that funding has been allocated for five new lockers and have had an initial conversation with the council person who is going to make this happen.

I am keen to make sure that the lockers are positioned in whatever way works best for the users, so I thought I would canvas opinion from the forum. The basic options are to put them:

(i) on the pavement on the station side (there is no more room under the railway bridge, so they would be more exposed to the elements)

(ii) under the railway bridge on the other side of the road (but the lighting there is not as good)

(iii) on a hard-standing base on the station platform (Southern rail have offered to provide space on the platform as part of the ongoing station development work they are doing - this would mean they are covered by CCTV as an extra security, but my only concern was access on weekends when the station is closed if there is engineering works on the line)

I?d really welcome any views that would help get this right. If you are a cyclist who would like additional cabinets, what are your priorities:

- Location / convenience Vs security (how important is lighting and CCTV)?

- Why would you use the lockers (because you live near the station and have no storage at your property or because you would cycle to the station and leave your bike there whilst you travel elsewhere on the train)?

Thanks for your input.

[as9]

That's great news about more lockers. I also have a locker under the bridge and think it's great. I think the new lockers must be somewhere very secure. I've had a couple of people approach me whilst dealing with my bike and although they've just been genuinely harmless and friendly I very much appreciated being in a well lit fairly busy place. Also I have not been able to find an insurance company that will cover bikes not kept at an address overnight so bikes kept in these lockers are uninsurable...unless this has changed.

[veryltdcompany]

I tried repeatedly to get one of these a few years ago. No one ever answered the phone number given or replied to messages left.

How did you come to get one of the lockers please, and how are they allocated? Can you post a phone number or email address from which a response can be had? Thanks.

[Alex K]

Mixed emotions, Charlie83. Good for you -- getting fit and all that -- but if your getting fit means that public space (in the form of the footprint of a locker under that bridge) is sacrificed to your wishes / needs, then, well, you're skimming cream for yourself and leaving milk for your neighbours.

If you were to clutter your front hall with the bike, rather than our streets, I'd be happier.

[Coops46]

One way to get people travelling more sustainably is to indeed integrate bicycle and trains together well, but I fail to see how a few lockers available to a lucky few are even worth public consultation? Why not widen the pavement or pedestrianise Railway Rise and fit plenty of sheffield stands for lots of bicycles?

I'm a big cycle advocate, but this really lacks any thought for getting more people to join you in sustainable transport. Money would be better spent improving it for the masses.

[Coops46]

Also have you thought about a Brompton? Might be ideal for you!

[Jeremy]

Alex, I don't buy your argument. Bike lockers are a selfish use of public space? Surely no more so than car parking (be it council-owned garages, car parks, or even on-street). Or all kinds of other facilities. The only issue I have is that there are obviously not enough.

Is it a new thing for councils to build stuff that residents find useful?

[Huguenot]

Well exactly Jeremy! A bizarre assertion from Alex K when huge swathes of our shared nation are plastered over for bastards with private cars!

[Jeremy]

Just for the record - me and Huguenot may agree about the bike lockers, but I do not think car owners are bastards!!

[Coops46]

Yes, there is too much car parking, and not enough bicycle parking. Especially around stations. I understand the need for lockers, but they're usually within residential estates for people that cannot take their bikes into their homes.

The urban realm around East Dulwich station is quite awful, and could do with more high quality bicycle parking for all, not just a few.

[Coops46]

And as a quick aside, look at Shoreditch High Street station for good station cycle facilities, (still not enough, mind you) or Haggerston, where the bikes are kept on the other side of the ticket barrier, inside the station.

[Jeremy]

By the wat, there are new bike parking facilities in the station itself. Could be a good option for getting to/from the station (although not suitable for Charlie's needs).

[EJTH]

Would lose to see move cycle lockers. Also more cycle lanes and more pedestrian friendly roads. London has to become more Eco oriented like the cities in the Netherlands, Germany etc

[Charlie83]

Thank you for your posts... I am surprised to see opposition to the idea, but I guess everyone is entitled to their views. I understand the lockers only benefit a few, but whilst a large rack of bike stands might all more people to use them, I for one would not be willing to risk the security. Surely it is better that some people are able to benefit than no one? All I did was email the address listed on the BikeAway website, put my name on the waiting list and wait. For those of you who are interested in a locker, it might be worth contacting them, as the additional lockers may go in soon.

Interesting point about insurance. After much persuasion I managed to get my household insurers to cover the bike in the locker (so long as it is locked and that there are obvious signs of forced entry etc.).

Happy cycling!

[Hollandforlife]

I agree Charlie83, I think whilst it may only benefit a few on the surface, overall it will be hugely beneficial.

Who do you insure your bike with? My insurers are not budging on this.

[Alex K]

Jeremy, apologies for replying so late.

The forecourt of the station is a public way. I think that the broader, the more free of obstructions and narrowings, that public way is kept the better it can be used.

I should like any bike lockers / stands / sheds not to occupy space on the public way in front of the station. If they are along the railway verges, on what at present is brambled waste-ground (as is that to both sides along the path between street and inbound platform), I shall have no objection.

Huguenot, "bizarre" is strong. It might better be applied to your argument that advocates one mis-use of public space because another mis-use already exists. Surely both mis-uses are wrong.

Again: For Charlie83 to occupy a square metre (in the form of a bike locker) of the station forecourt, the public way, is to skim cream and to leave the rest of us only milk. For him to do so is, in my opinion, selfish. If Charlie83 were to stow his bicycle within his own dwelling or its curtilage, no one could have any objection to his behaviour. The same if he were to stow his bicycle within an area off the station forecourt.