BLOODY HELL - HOW DID THE "DRIVER" MISS THAT HUGE THING?

A controversial bike hangar, which incited a furious backlash from outraged motorists in November when it was installed in a car parking space, has been removed by Brighton and Hove City Council after it was crushed and damaged over the weekend by a suspected “large vehicle”.

The cycle hangar in Norfolk Square, one of 60 installed in the city since July 2022, appears to have been damaged while residents’ bikes were stored inside it (a photo of the damage, which seems to show a crack in the unit’s roof, causing the front of the hangar to pop out, can be found on the Argus’ website (link is external)).

However, the council has said that no bikes were damaged or stolen following the “unfortunate incident”, believed to have caused by a motorist, and that a replacement hangar will be delivered “soon”.

The new cycle hangars, which offer secure storage for six bicycles, have proven a somewhat surprising and enduring source of contention in Brighton and Hove in recent months.

> Hove woman persuades council not to locate “unattractive” cycle hangar outside her home

With 150 hangars expected to be rolled out across the city by the spring, and a waiting list stretching into the hundreds, they have proven hugely popular with many local residents looking for somewhere to securely store their bikes.

However, the units have also attracted the ire of some locals who claim that they are an eyesore and take up too much space, despite the hangars being able to fit in a space usually reserved for one car.

While opposition to the hangars appears to be spread across the city – earlier this month we reported that a group of unhappy residents surrounded contractors preparing to install one of the units in Hove – the hangar in Norfolk Square has undoubtedly generated the most outrage, both on social media and in the press.

> Council "investigating" after driver outrage at cycle hangar "deliberately" blocking car parking spaces

In November, we reported that the positioning of that particular hangar, taking up two residents permit car parking spaces, was met with such outrage that the council was forced to “investigate” its controversial placement.

One resident described the hangar’s installation as “madness” and as part of the “continuing war against motorists” apparently waged by Brighton and Hove City Council.

“It creates this hate between residents and car owners. I think it should be removed and put inside the square and that way there wouldn’t be a problem,” 72-year-old Bill Young said in November.

Judging by Young’s comments, it’s perhaps no surprise then that opponents of the cycle hangar scheme aren’t too displeased by its destruction and temporary disappearance in Norfolk Square.

“It looked as if a heavy weight had been dropped on the top, forcing the up and over lid to buckle and open at the bottom,” Laura King, who has consistently campaigned against the hangars on social media, told the Argus (link is external).

“It's good to see this hangar gone from Norfolk Square today and two stolen residential parking spaces back.”

> Residents “threatened with police” after “surrounding” contractors installing bike hangar

However, the council has insisted that a replacement hangar is on the way, though it’s not clear yet whether the forced removal of the original unit will prompt a rethink of its positioning in the square.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “This is a very unfortunate incident. Our contractor has now taken the damaged hangar away today and they will be delivering a replacement soon.

“At this stage it’s unclear what caused the damage, but our contractor believes a large vehicle may have crashed into it.

“We’re checking whether there is any CCTV footage that could help pinpoint the cause.

“Before removing the hangar our contractor got in touch with the residents whose bikes were in there. Our understanding is that no bikes were stolen or damaged.”

https://road.cc/content/news/large-vehicle-may-have-crashed-bike-hangar-298947

swldx...@gmail.com <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:

> BLOODY HELL - HOW DID THE "DRIVER" MISS THAT HUGE THING?

Miss it he didn’t, did he!

> A controversial bike hangar, which incited a furious backlash from
> outraged motorists in November when it was installed in a car parking
> space, has been removed by Brighton and Hove City Council after it was
> crushed and damaged over the weekend by a suspected “large vehicle”.
>
> The cycle hangar in Norfolk Square, one of 60 installed in the city since
> July 2022, appears to have been damaged while residents’ bikes were
> stored inside it (a photo of the damage, which seems to show a crack in
> the unit’s roof, causing the front of the hangar to pop out, can be found
> on the Argus’ website (link is external)).
>
> However, the council has said that no bikes were damaged or stolen
> following the “unfortunate incident”, believed to have caused by a
> motorist, and that a replacement hangar will be delivered “soon”.
>
> The new cycle hangars, which offer secure storage for six bicycles, have
> proven a somewhat surprising and enduring source of contention in
> Brighton and Hove in recent months.
>
>> Hove woman persuades council not to locate “unattractive” cycle hangar outside her home
>
> With 150 hangars expected to be rolled out across the city by the spring,
> and a waiting list stretching into the hundreds, they have proven hugely
> popular with many local residents looking for somewhere to securely store their bikes.
>
> However, the units have also attracted the ire of some locals who claim
> that they are an eyesore and take up too much space, despite the hangars
> being able to fit in a space usually reserved for one car.
>
> While opposition to the hangars appears to be spread across the city –
> earlier this month we reported that a group of unhappy residents
> surrounded contractors preparing to install one of the units in Hove –
> the hangar in Norfolk Square has undoubtedly generated the most outrage,
> both on social media and in the press.
>
>> Council "investigating" after driver outrage at cycle hangar
>> "deliberately" blocking car parking spaces
>
> In November, we reported that the positioning of that particular hangar,
> taking up two residents permit car parking spaces, was met with such
> outrage that the council was forced to “investigate” its controversial placement.
>
> One resident described the hangar’s installation as “madness” and as part
> of the “continuing war against motorists” apparently waged by Brighton
> and Hove City Council.
>
> “It creates this hate between residents and car owners. I think it should
> be removed and put inside the square and that way there wouldn’t be a
> problem,” 72-year-old Bill Young said in November.
>
> Judging by Young’s comments, it’s perhaps no surprise then that opponents
> of the cycle hangar scheme aren’t too displeased by its destruction and
> temporary disappearance in Norfolk Square.
>
> “It looked as if a heavy weight had been dropped on the top, forcing the
> up and over lid to buckle and open at the bottom,” Laura King, who has
> consistently campaigned against the hangars on social media, told the
> Argus (link is external).
>
> “It's good to see this hangar gone from Norfolk Square today and two
> stolen residential parking spaces back.”
>
>> Residents “threatened with police” after “surrounding” contractors installing bike hangar
>
> However, the council has insisted that a replacement hangar is on the
> way, though it’s not clear yet whether the forced removal of the original
> unit will prompt a rethink of its positioning in the square.
>
> A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “This is a very
> unfortunate incident. Our contractor has now taken the damaged hangar
> away today and they will be delivering a replacement soon.
>
> “At this stage it’s unclear what caused the damage, but our contractor
> believes a large vehicle may have crashed into it.
>
> “We’re checking whether there is any CCTV footage that could help pinpoint the cause.
>
> “Before removing the hangar our contractor got in touch with the
> residents whose bikes were in there. Our understanding is that no bikes
> were stolen or damaged.”
>
> https://road.cc/content/news/large-vehicle-may-have-crashed-bike-hangar-298947
>

--
Spike

On 30/01/2023 02:10 pm, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

> BLOODY HELL - HOW DID THE "DRIVER" MISS THAT HUGE THING?

What makes you ask that?

It obviously was NOT "missed".

It sounds more like a direct hit.

A passing, co-operative and accurately-aiming helicopter pilot, perhaps?
Perhaps the council needs to install CCTV cameras scanning the skies?

> A controversial fairy-bike bin, which incited a furious backlash from outraged motorists in November when it was installed in a car parking space, has been removed by Brighton and Hove City Council after it was crushed and damaged over the weekend by a suspected “large vehicle”.
> The fairy-cycle bin in Norfolk Square, one of 60 installed in the city since July 2022, appears to have been damaged while residents’ fairy-cycles were stored inside it (a photo of the damage, which seems to show a crack in the unit’s roof, causing the front of the bin to pop out, can be found on the Argus’ website (link is external)).
> However, the council has said that no fairy-cycles were damaged or stolen following the “unfortunate incident”,

Of course not. The fine upstanding people of Hove are not scofflaw
chavs... unlike fairy-cyclists.

> ...believed to have caused by a motorist, and that a replacement bin will be delivered “soon”.
> The new fairy-cycle bins, which offer secure storage for six fairy-bicycles, have proven a somewhat surprising and enduring source of contention in Brighton and Hove in recent months.
>> Hove woman persuades council not to locate “unattractive” fairy-cycle bin outside her home
> With 150 bins expected to be rolled out across the city by the spring, and a waiting list stretching into the hundreds, they have proven hugely popular with many local residents looking for somewhere to securely store their fairy-bikes.
> However, the units have also attracted the ire of some locals who claim that they are an eyesore and take up too much space, despite the bins being able to fit in a space usually reserved for one car.
> While opposition to the bins appears to be spread across the city – earlier this month we reported that a group of unhappy residents surrounded contractors preparing to install one of the units in Hove – the bin in Norfolk Square has undoubtedly generated the most outrage, both on social media and in the press.
>> Council "investigating" after driver outrage at fairy-cycle bin "deliberately" blocking car parking spaces
> In November, we reported that the positioning of that particular bin, taking up two residents permit car parking spaces, was met with such outrage that the council was forced to “investigate” its controversial placement.
> One resident described the bin’s installation as “madness” and as part of the “continuing war against motorists” apparently waged by Brighton and Hove City Council.
> “It creates this hate between residents and car owners. I think it should be removed and put inside the square and that way there wouldn’t be a problem,” 72-year-old Bill Young said in November.
> Judging by Young’s comments, it’s perhaps no surprise then that opponents of the fairy-cycle bin scheme aren’t too displeased by its destruction and temporary disappearance in Norfolk Square.

Would ANY sensible person see it as anything other than rather amusing? :-)

> “It looked as if a heavy weight had been dropped on the top, forcing the up and over lid to buckle and open at the bottom,” Laura King, who has consistently campaigned against the bins on social media, told the Argus (link is external).
> “It's good to see this bin gone from Norfolk Square today and two stolen residential parking spaces back.”
>> Residents “threatened with police” after “surrounding” contractors installing fairy-bike bin
> However, the council has insisted that a replacement bin is on the way, though it’s not clear yet whether the forced removal of the original unit will prompt a rethink of its positioning in the square.
> A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “This is a very unfortunate incident. Our contractor has now taken the damaged bin away today and they will be delivering a replacement soon.
> “At this stage it’s unclear what caused the damage, but our contractor believes a large vehicle may have crashed into it.
> “We’re checking whether there is any CCTV footage that could help pinpoint the cause.
> “Before removing the bin our contractor got in touch with the residents whose fairy-bikes were in there. Our understanding is that no fairy-bikes were stolen or damaged.”

> https://road.cc/content/news/large-vehicle-may-have-crashed-bike-hangar-298947

On Monday, January 30, 2023 at 2:10:29 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> BLOODY HELL - HOW DID THE "DRIVER" MISS THAT HUGE THING?
>
Avatar
giff77 | 1950 posts | 11 min ago
0 likes
Just wondering if Ms King would be rejoicing if it was her motor that was smashed up while parked up in one of the bays.

On Monday, January 30, 2023 at 4:50:19 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Monday, January 30, 2023 at 2:10:29 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> > BLOODY HELL - HOW DID THE "DRIVER" MISS THAT HUGE THING?
> >
> Avatar
> giff77 | 1950 posts | 11 min ago
> 0 likes
>
> Just wondering if Ms King would be rejoicing if it was her motor that was smashed up while parked up in one of the bays.

https://i2-prod.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article15991971.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/0_JCR_BEM_180319crash004jpeg.jpg

swldx...@gmail.com <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Monday, January 30, 2023 at 2:10:29 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
>> BLOODY HELL - HOW DID THE "DRIVER" MISS THAT HUGE THING?
>>
> Avatar
> giff77 | 1950 posts | 11 min ago
> 0 likes
>
> Just wondering if Ms King would be rejoicing if it was her motor that
> was smashed up while parked up in one of the bays.
But ‘a motor’ wasn’t smashed up….

You’re comparing apples and oranges.

--
Spike

eburtthebike | 3996 posts | 4 hours ago
8 likes
I always find it incredible that one group of people can claim the rights to public space to store their private property, and are affronted and driven to hatred when other people do the same.

:-)

Mungecrundle | 2823 posts | 4 hours ago
1 like

And when it is replaced, hopefully with an additional crash resistant bollard.

"It's good to see this hangar returned to Norfolk Square today and six stolen residential cycle storage spaces back".

:-)

swldx...@gmail.com <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Monday, January 30, 2023 at 4:50:19 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
>> On Monday, January 30, 2023 at 2:10:29 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
>>> BLOODY HELL - HOW DID THE "DRIVER" MISS THAT HUGE THING?
>>>
>> Avatar
>> giff77 | 1950 posts | 11 min ago
>> 0 likes
>>
>> Just wondering if Ms King would be rejoicing if it was her motor that
>> was smashed up while parked up in one of the bays.
>
> https://i2-prod.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article15991971.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/0_JCR_BEM_180319crash004jpeg.jpg

<https://cycling.today/this-is-probably-the-most-spectacular-bike-crash-youve-ever-seen-video/>

--
Spike

On 30/01/2023 04:57 pm, swldx...@gmail.com...

....talking to himself, again, as usual, says:

> On Monday, January 30, 2023 at 4:50:19 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com...

....talking to himself, again, as usual, says:

>> On Monday, January 30, 2023 at 2:10:29 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

>>> BLOODY HELL - HOW DID THE "DRIVER" MISS THAT HUGE THING?

>> Just wondering if Ms King would be rejoicing if it was her motor that was smashed up while parked up in one of the bays.

> https://i2-prod.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article15991971.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/0_JCR_BEM_180319crash004jpeg.jpg

Is that what the damaged fairy-cycle bin looks like?

On 30/01/2023 07:38 pm, Spike wrote:

> swldx...@gmail.com <swldxer1958@gmail.com>...

....talking to himself, again, as usual, says:

>> On Monday, January 30, 2023 at 4:50:19 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com...

....talking to himself, again, as usual, says:

>>> On Monday, January 30, 2023 at 2:10:29 PM UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

>>>> BLOODY HELL - HOW DID THE "DRIVER" MISS THAT HUGE THING?

>>> Just wondering if Ms King would be rejoicing if it was her motor that
>>> was smashed up while parked up in one of the bays.

>> https://i2-prod.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article15991971.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/0_JCR_BEM_180319crash004jpeg.jpg

> <https://cycling.today/this-is-probably-the-most-spectacular-bike-crash-youve-ever-seen-video/>

That latter definitely worth seeing again. :-)

It brings a new meaning to "Quick Release", doesn't it?

The passing car driver was lucky not to have been hit by any of the
flying debris.

On 30/01/2023 06:51 pm, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

> I always find it incredible that one group of people can claim the rights to public space to store their private property, and are affronted and driven to hatred when other people do the same.

> :-)

Well, it's just that fairy-cyclists invariably have plenty of
fairy-cycle storage space in their kitchens or bedrooms.

Underwater is best, though, according to Del Boy Mason.

swldx...@gmail.com <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:
> eburtthebike | 3996 posts | 4 hours ago
> 8 likes
>
> I always find it incredible that one group of people can claim the rights
> to public space to store their private property, and are affronted and
> driven to hatred when other people do the same.
>
> :-)

eburt is comparing apples and oranges.

--
Spike

Laura King, who has consistently campaigned against the hangars on social media, told the Argus, "It's good to see this hangar gone from Norfolk Square today and two stolen residential parking spaces back."

She's really said the entitled bit out loud there. The parking spaces were stolen from them, were they? Funny, I thought the public highway was a communal resource.

Avatar
brooksby | 11060 posts | 5 hours ago
3 likes

It's the same as with wands/bollards for cycle lanes.

Council spends money to do something --->

some people throw their toys out of the pram (because it isn't being spent on them) and damage or remove the 'things' (wands/bike hangars) --->

council spends more money to replace/repair the 'things' --->

the same people then complain that the council is spending so much money.

Replace the hangar with a large ugly 3.5 ton truck that the cyclists can store their bikes inside. The residents claiming that 2 parking spaces have been stolen will soon want the old hangar back.

Great idea. Reminds me of Adam Tranter's parklet van.

:-) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FSOtPQkXoAA9eUN?format=jpg&name=small

On 30/01/2023 07:54 pm, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

> Laura King, who has consistently campaigned against the hangars on social media, told the Argus, "It's good to see this bike-bin gone from Norfolk Square today and two stolen residential parking spaces back."
>
> She's really said the entitled bit out loud there. The parking spaces were stolen from them, were they? Funny, I thought the public highway was a communal resource.

Fairy-cyclists are, as a rule, thick enough to need graphic descriptions
when having things patiently explained to them.

On Monday, 30 January 2023 at 19:59:36 UTC, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> Avatar
> brooksby | 11060 posts | 5 hours ago
> 3 likes
>
>
> It's the same as with wands/bollards for cycle lanes.
>
> Council spends money to do something --->
>
> some people throw their toys out of the pram (because it isn't being spent on them) and damage or remove the 'things' (wands/bike hangars) --->
>
> council spends more money to replace/repair the 'things' --->
>
> the same people then complain that the council is spending so much money.

Almost!

You missed the multiple loops around missing budget spending deadlines of due to unfilled staff posts, more delays when staff leave, hiring external consultants (often staff who left...), the consultation with "stakeholders" blowing up because 3 parking spaces have gone, scheme being scaled back due to delays and push-back, final "consultation" with public which is ignored by everyone ... then finally we get to your step 2 when people wake up to find they can't park where they did before! THEY'RE ROBBING US BLIND AND TAKING OUR RIGHTS!

TBF - if your council is Edinburgh - in between all that they've managed to find 776 million for a tram scheme with only 1 line, which operates at a yearly loss of (checks) several million, and then pushed on with "completing" this for another 207 million (so far) for an extra 3 miles of line.

swldx...@gmail.com <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:
> Mungecrundle | 2823 posts | 4 hours ago
> 1 like
>
> And when it is replaced, hopefully with an additional crash resistant bollard.
>
> "It's good to see this hangar returned to Norfolk Square today and six
> stolen residential cycle storage spaces back".
>
> :-)

What a strange comment by Mungecrundle. The spaces are still there, it’s
just that they aren’t surrounded by an eyesore.

--
Spike

swldx...@gmail.com <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:
> Laura King, who has consistently campaigned against the hangars on
> social media, told the Argus, "It's good to see this hangar gone from
> Norfolk Square today and two stolen residential parking spaces back."
>
> She's really said the entitled bit out loud there. The parking spaces
> were stolen from them, were they? Funny, I thought the public highway was
> a communal resource.

Therefore you can’t put cycle hangars on it!

--
Spike

IIRC there were only three motorists quoted at the time (who may indeed have been furious), one of them being the Laura King character whom someone on here (sorry, forgotten who) showed to be pretty much Brighton's serial complainer about absolutely everything.

When told there's "outrage" or a "huge backlash" about something I think it's always worth remembering the late Clive James' wise words: "It only takes half a dozen people to jam a switchboard with complaints, particularly if they have the number on speed dial and are hovering over the telephone just waiting for a chance to be outraged."

DRY YOUR EYES, YOU DOG IN A MANGER BREXTARDS. :-)

QUOTE: However, the council has insisted that a replacement hangar is on the way. ENDS

OF COURSE IT IS, OTHERWISE UNDEMOCRATIC VANDALISM "WINS".

HRH Prince Del Boy Mason <swldx...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Laura King, who has consistently campaigned against the hangars on social media, told the Argus, "It's good to see this hangar gone from Norfolk Square today and two stolen residential parking spaces back."
>
> She's really said the entitled bit out loud there. The parking spaces were stolen from them, were they? Funny, I thought the public highway was a communal resource.

They were stolen from everyone who might have had a use from them.
That's what happens when a communal resource is arrogated by the...
er... arrogant.

HarrogateSpa | 1403 posts | 7 hours ago
3 likes

We'll know we live in a civilised country the day journalists can refer to a 'bike hangar' not a 'controversial bike bike hangar.'

INDEED.

A cycle hangar is on-street parking for up to 6 bikes that residents can rent a space from. The Hangars are covered, secure and accessible via an easily downloaded app or a lock and key.

As part of our ongoing work to support active and sustainable travel, we are rolling out a programme of installing on-road cycle hangars for residents to park their bikes securely near their homes.

The cycle hangars are the size of approximately one parking space, and they can store 6 standard sized bicycles. Some car parking spaces may be repurposed to accommodate the cycle hangars.

They will be dark green with reflective strips on the sides for extra visibility.

The stands inside are equipped for you to lock your bike at 2 points in the hanger. The Council or Falco UK Ltd cannot accept responsibility for bicycles stolen from the cycle hangars.

The first cycle hangars will be installed in the city in Summer 2022. The hangars will be rolled out in batches of 15 to 20 across the city at a time.
Why we're installing cycle hangars

With many residents living in shared accommodation, flats or houses where storage space is at a premium, it can be difficult to find secure cycle storage. This can be a major barrier to those wishing to travel by bike. Storage can be especially challenging if you use an adapted cycle. People can also face difficulties manoeuvring their cycles from inside their home onto the street outside.

Some cycle hangars installed may have the option of storing large, adapted bicycles or cargo bikes. The below picture is an example of a what the cycle hangars look like, however the design may differ slightly.

How much it costs

There is a charge of around £1 a week per cycle space within the hangars. You can pay for this 3, 6 or 12 months at a time.
Where the cycle hangars will be

The locations are chosen based on:

the number of requests in the area
availability of current storage
propensity to cycle and levels of cycle theft in the area

We received significant requests for cycle hangars in a survey conducted in November 2021. We are working hard to go through these requests and provide hangars for as many residents as possible. We will then ask for further requests from residents at a later date.

If you live within view of a proposed cycle hangar, you will receive a letter through the post. Cycle hangars proposed on the street will be advertised through the usual Traffic Regulation Order process.