Some Cycles in Whitstable

Some Cycles in Whitstable:-

Why not try a knitted bike, they could be warmer in Winter.

Standing outside Henbent's cycle shop in the main street in Whtistable.

A mother and daughter's bikes, virtually completely covered covered with knitting. 

Part of a cycle hire group operating in Whitstable, Herne Bay, and Canterbury. (www.WCCH.CO.UK)  

Mirrors - why not?

Why a mirror?

Why not?

All our bikes have rear view mirrors fitted.  They are invaluable. 

Anybody who drives; whether it be a car, van, lorry or motorbike would know what a godsend/necessity they are.   Probably more so on a bicycle, as cyclists are the most vulnerable of road users.   In fact, none of the afore mentioned vehicles would pass its MOT if it did not have rear-view-mirrors fitted.

Mirrors are essential whilst riding in traffic, especially when riding as a pair in foreign countries, in strange towns, etc, the leading cyclists can easily see that whether or not his partner is still following.  He can also see the nature of the vehicle that is behind him, and if it is going to overtake.  A car towing a wider caravan, is a particular hazard that a mirror can make the rider aware of, with out him having to turn around to see.

There are that many potholes about that turning around to see behind is fraught with danger

Mirrors are an added safety factor, allowing cyclists with young children to let their charge to ride behind them, whilst keeping an eye on them all the time via their rear-view mirror.   If a child rides in front, an inexperienced cyclist is not sure of the correct path to take, and is constantly being directed by the instructor behind him.  If he rides behind all the trainee has to do is follow the path of his instructor. 

More cycling Statues

More cycling statues.

A Modern statue in Salzburg, Austria, called “The Radfahrer” (The Cyclist)  created by Lotte Ranft in 1992.

[notice the damaged bike in the background (with a buckled wheel), it happens in the UK too.     Why?]

However I prefer this next statue:-

In the grand market square of Burghausen (a German town north of Salzburg on the River Inn, which is over looked by a huge castle), is this statue; one which I prefer to Lotte Ranft’s.  The River forms the border between Austria and Germany.       

Something almost all we cyclists have experienced unfortunately..  I can almost hear that vicious dog barking.

More cycle stands.

Looking at more cycle stands

Now here's a clever thing.  I can hardly get my bike between this toast-rack of a cycle-stand,and with full panniers I certainly couldn't.  They have been very generous with the stands, as there are two such parking areas at the Ashford/Sevington business park; what a pity hardly anyone uses them. 

Now these are novel, at least they are to me. They can be found at Evegate shopping complex.

Near Mersham/Ashford, Kent.  

I have seen slightly similar fancy ones in Hastings.

Protective crash barriers

Getting things right for a change.

This picture has been borrowed from the Unsafe-Crash-Barriers Blog, because this example is of how barriers ought to be positioned to protect the most vulnerable: cyclists and pedestrians,as well as motorists, but unfortunately this is not usually the case.

Statues

Statues

We don't seem to have any statues to cycling, or if we have, I haven't seen them; but I have seen several on the Continent, such as:-

This one in the market square in Bruges

Can't stand it?

 Cycle stands at supermarkets are often tucked out of the way, some are poorly designed, and some don't have any stands at all.

Here only 'two' bike stands are provided.  They are poor; in practice one locks the bike to the corral framework that contains the shopping-trolleys.   The passage is narrow (too narrow),  leaving little space for a ladened bike. 
  The other 'stand'  just around the column, is hardly usable.

 Even if there were to have been adequate space, this type of stand is impractical. 

Whilst this supermarket seems to have no cycle-stands at all.

BT yet again.

BT closing the gap again.

BT completely blocking the pavement on a very busy main road; yet again!  

Oh dear, this should be on the parking blog.   Another case where cycling on the pavement would not be possible, and it is such a busy and dangerous main road; think of the children. 

Cycle parking and ramps

More on cycle parking and ramp on steps

Here is a rather old picture (of 25 yrs ago or more)  taken at the Station at Mechenheim near Bonn, in Germany.  

It is a small station, but there is undercover parking for about 90 bikes.  But also note the double ramp to cater for wheeling  bicycles and buggies, or wheelchairs, up and down the steps.  

     Some major towns in Holland have underground, secure, bike parking for up to 7000 bikes.  

One of the bicycle under-cover parking facilities at Minden Railway Station (which have been in place for many years).  It also has a large number of secure lockers for bikes on one side, a large open parking area  in front of the main building, and a secure cycle store, with repair shop on the other side., .

It is possible to get a train from The Hook of Holland, via Schiphol, to Minden and beyond into Poland, which takes bikes.

On another wide platform is a secure cycle store, and repair shop.  One can also board trains to Amsterdam, Poland, Switzerland, Denmark, etc.  

  It is quite common for bus stop shelters in Germany and Holland to have a couple of cycle stand, or more,s (usually the Sheffield type) next to bus-shelters