Brighton and Hove bike parking rows over railing signs

Devaraj Sandberg says there have been dramas and tensions in Lansdowne Street, Hove, as there are not enough places to store cycles outside.

“There are too many bikes, and not enough space,” he said.

He says signs put on railings to forbid cycles being locked up should be removed to encourage cycling.

The road has 14 notices warning cyclists not to lock up their bikes, and five bike stands at the bottom of the street.

But while the council says it reviews where more stands can be put, Mr Sandberg, 59, said a short-term solution is to allow cyclists to lock up without the fear of their bike being removed.

The therapist said: “It would cost a fortune to put in more stands. I don’t lock the bike at the bottom of the street because I can’t see it 200 yards away, and this is a dodgy area for bike thefts.

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“Cycle parking was not a problem here a few months ago, but since the lockdown more people have started cycling.

“So now there are often no railings left without signs on them.

“It means when you lock up, you get other cyclists leaving you little notes telling you not to take their spot.

“But there are too many cycles and too little space.”

Mr Sandberg said it is leading to rising tensions in the area, with more competition for spaces.

He said: “I think the council should make it known somehow that they would appreciate it if people did not put these signs up on the railings.

“It is not so terrible if someone locks a bicycle on the railings, especially when they are trying to encourage more people to cycle because of coronavirus.

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“I don’t think it would make much difference if people could park a cycle outside on the railings. I’m not sure how legally enforceable those warning signs are anyway.

“Removing the signs would solve the problem, without having to spend more on bike stands.”

Brighton and Hove City Council has been spending cash from the government on new cycle lanes such as along the seafront and along Old Shoreham Road.

It is part of a strategy to encourage safe exercising spaces and improve people’s health.

It goes alongside the closure of Madeira Drive to through traffic to allow a wider space for safe exercising and people keeping their distance from others during lockdown.

But the issue has sparked controversy, with protests against the cycle lanes and over the future of Madeira Drive.

The council said: “We have an ongoing programme of introducing cycle stands throughout the city.

“We also receive new cycle stand requests frequently and these are investigated and installed where possible, taking into consideration footpath widths and other factors. Residents can request new cycling stands on our website.”