As a cyclist who sometimes has to look around a bit to find a vacant stand for my bike – l am not too sure l welcome the outbreak of two-wheeled advertising that is becoming apparent in Bath.
Bike ads?
Seems they are not only promoting local business but making political points.
Clever promotion? Or a damned nuisance if the stands are full up?
A campaign cycle?
What do you think?
Seems B&NES is caught between the ‘Devil and the deep blue sea’ when it comes to taking action over bikes being used to advertise businesses and blocking up stands in Bath provided for genuine cyclists.
It is something the Virtual Museum has been talking about for months now in its support of efforts to encourage more pedestrians and cyclists – and fewer cars – in the heart of this World Heritage city.
Cllr Nigel Roberts.
While Planning and Enforcement discuss the matter, the Council’s ‘cycle champion’ Cllr Nigel Roberts (Lib-Dem Odd Down) has told VMB the situation was frustrating and needed to be clarified.
‘There is a serious shortage of spaces to safely lock up your bike, having the available spaces taken up by bikes that are left all day who’s only purpose is to get around planning rules needs to be stopped. Cycle stands are for cyclists not advertising’ – he said.
Bath’s pedal cyclists are still riding high on a Two-Tunnels-opening wave. It’s good to see facilities for those choosing to leave the car at home getting some positive publicity.
It is also good to see more cycle racks being installed around the city – including a rather modest one at the pavement end of the steps leading into the Guildhall on the High Street.
Advertising taking up space outside the Guildhall!
Rather sorry to see some local businesses taking advantage of the bike parking arrangements though. This nearby shop is taking up a space a genuine cyclist could have used.
There is another example of this sort of bike-rack advertising along Union Street.
More advertising on a rack at one end of Union Street
I appreciate trading times are hard at the moment but here is one enterprise using a bike that has its own stand
A free-standing enterprise in Abbey Churchyard.
and is not denying other cyclists a secure spot.
