Tag: bike racks

September 27th – Returning to Birmingham from the somewhat disappointing Cycle Show at the NEC, I was reminded whilst walking a relatively short distance through the city centre that there really is a cycling boom going on; you’d never have seen cycles in such numbers around the place as you do now. And these are real machines, as opposed to the pristine new stuff that I’d seen that morning. Bikes of all ages, types and sizes, from BMX to fixies, all carrying the patina of their owners – the stickers, modifications, adjustments and dirt that go to making a bike your very own.

It’s good to see. 

August 20th – pleasing to see that the new bike racks that sprang up throughout Birmingham city centre in advance of the tunnel closures are being well used. Wandering down to New Street after doing a little evening shopping, I noticed this new facility was almost at capacity, even at 5pm. Interesting variety of bikes, too. That fixie with no brakes looks like a fun ride…

April 29th – Birmingham New Street – new start? Well, it’s bright, and smells of resin, I suppose. It also smells heavily of engineering compromise, forced retail opportunity and bodge.

My first experience of the much vaunted new station access way was this morning, and after all the hype, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It’s very much unfinished, and some aspects of the project show quite bad judgement.

This is no longer a station, but is a shopping centre with railway platforms. Everything is quite a bit longer to get to than before, and the access points funnel crowds carefully past the new shop units. The platforms themselves remain as narrow and cramped as ever, but with new escalators and lifts that go direct between concourse and platform, instead of via the subway. Sadly, they’re tiny, unable to accommodate a bike and pushchair at the same time, or my bike lengthways. This is dreadful.

The new concourse is nice, the light is pleasant and it’s quite airy. I’m not keen on the stone flooring, but each to his own. The cafe looks nice, and the information up there was good, unlike the platforms where a mixture of old, incorrect signage and new stuff just confused people.

The ticket barriers are much better, and access with a bike is OK even when crowded. However, the exit in Stephenson Place is bizarre, and doubles the length of the journey to Moor Street, meaning I’ll no longer make tight connections. 

My advice to anyone planning to park a bike in racks there and travel is don’t do it. There are woefully few racks, stuck in a dark corner of the Moor Street access subway, a while away from the station. Although covered by CCTV, the Sheffield stands are only bolted down. An industrious pair of scallies with a spanner and some bottle could clear those stands of bikes in minutes. This is unforgivable.

On the whole it’s nicer, but functionally more awkward in many ways. It’s much more walking to get in and out, and I wouldn’t fancy it with limited mobility. The architecture is nice, and they’ve worked hard to make a space with no natural light more human-freindly. But the pokey lifts, poor access to Moor Street and focus of retail jarr with me a little too much.

It’ll be interesting to see how things develop.

July 22nd – Nipping into Wednesbury’s Decathlon sports superstore on my way home for a couple of bike bits, I was surprised by the quality and thought given to the bike rack. I don’t know anything about it, other than it appears to be French. It’s sensible, secure, and features a great way to park the bike without it toppling over. Big chunky cable anchors allow you to lock your steed in the manner of your choosing. I was so chuffed with it, I left my bike there while I popped in PC World. Decathlon haven’t got the best range of cycling bits, but in an emergency they’re fine, and with provision like that, I’ll certainly be returning. Nice one. 

May 20th – Waitrose isn’t the greatest supermarket for selection or price, and it’s certainly not the closest (although it’s only 15 minutes from here by bike), even if the do sell the best Earl Grey teabags (their own brand, surprisingly enough) – so why shop there? Easy. They give a shit about people on bicycles. Secure parking right outside the front window – so you can watch your steed whilst browsing, and free cycle trailer hire, too for those big shops.

All the other local stores don’t care – Tesco Brownhills has no cycle provision whatsoever, and at Morrisons in Burntwood and Aldridge it’s tucked out of sight, as is the cycle shelter at the new Tesco store in Lichfield. Haven’t found the one at Tesco Walsall yet….