Brighton: Calls to let residents decorate 'bland' cycle hangars

Brighton and Hove City Council has installed 150 of the hangars, which provide on-street parking for up to six bikes, across the city. 

But it previously faced backlash about the appearance of the large green storage units, with then-councillor Robert Nemeth calling them a "monstrosity" when they were rolled out in 2022.

A tagged cycle hangar in Ardingly Street, Brighton (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Now resident Dinah Clarke is asking the council to let people decorate the hangars near their homes.

In a petition on Change.org, Ms Clarke said: "The residents of Brighton and Hove living amongst these hangars should have a choice to decorate their local hangars.

"We should have permission to decorate the hangars tastefully without the threat of the art being treated like graffiti and so painted over."

Like other street furniture, some cycle hangars in the city have been graffitied and tagged.

READ MORE: 150 cycle hangars rolled out in city

Ms Clarke said residents should also have the right to reduce the size of the "enormous" chevrons on the sides of the hangars.

Brighton and Hove City Council said the chevrons, or reflective strips, are on the sides for extra visibility.

Ms Clarke said residents could paint mini murals on the hangars. This one on the Prince Albert is a favourite in the city

Ms Clarke believes residents should be allowed to paint the hangars with murals like "wonderful examples of art all over Brighton on building, walls and utility boxes".

• You can access the petition here https://www.change.org/p/beautify-brighton-hove-s-bike-hangars

"Art work could be painted on to the bland surface of the hangar," said Ms Clarke.

She has pledged to bring her petition, which now has 35 signatures, to the public council meeting on October 24.

Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport, parking and public realm, said: “We always welcome creative suggestions from residents and have looked into this. We are not currently considering artwork for our cycle hangars.  

"The chevrons on the side of the hangars are for extra visibility and safety and are not something we would change. As the cycle hangars are a structure on the highway, first and foremost they need to be compliant with regulations and visible to motorists and other road users."