A community bike project in Bristol that was praised last month by a council inspector who was investigating a complaint from a neighbour now faces an uncertain future after being told to stop operating for an indefinite period.
The L-Dub Community Bike Project was set up six years ago by Ian Scott, known as ‘Scotty’, from the garden of his council house where he has lived all his life in Lawrence Weston, with some bikes stored on adjacent disused land.
The 48-year-old has refurbished hundreds of bikes to give them a new lease of life, with the bicycles given giving them away free to underprivileged children aged 2 to 5 years, while those aged 5-16 pay £30 and adults £50 for the bikes.
Last month, an inspector from Bristol City Council visited Mr Scott after a neighbour complained that the operation violated the terms of his lease. The council however gave Mr Scott its blessing and even said it would help him with a planning application to formalise his use of the waste ground land, which it owns.
> Bristol council investigates complaint against community bike project run from man's home - and gives scheme its backing
Now, however, the council says that it wants to use that land for housing and on Friday ordered Mr Scott and the other bike mechanics involved in the project to cease operations indefinitely.
On Monday, a spokesperson for the council told the Bristol Post: "When we contacted Mr Scott it was clear his intentions were to make a positive impact to his community and we really support this ethos.
"However we must prioritise safety so have asked Mr Scott to stop operating while we assess the safety measures in place as the project is being run from a back garden and a disused garage.
"We will continue to work with Mr Scott and have been clear that the project may not be able to continue long term in its current location as the land has been earmarked for future housing development.”
Mr Scott, who had intended to use the waste ground to set up a permanent workshop, office and learning space, said on the project’s Facebook page: “This is typical Catch-22 situation. We can’t get public liability insurance until we get permission from the council to use their land and they have closed us down for not having public liability insurance.”
He said that the council had told him wrongly that the project was being run from an old garage. “Do they not even know what is on their own land?” he asked, adding that he doubted it “as they have not seen it in 35 years.”
As others has said, It is up to you, but I still think you have a strong case to report. You were directly affected as you had to swerve and brake...
The Metro write-up was ridiculous, they reported it as the council 'telling' cyclists not to use cycle lanes. Contained interviews with the usual...
Acting as a spokesperson?
I'm pretty disappointed to hear of farmers moaning about cyclists....
I honestly don't see the problem. I checked out their website and it's just like most other brands: I like some of their stuff, some is 'meh' and...
Sorry to burst your bubble and your rant but I think you'll find if a law has been written in such a way so that it contravenes the "reasonable...
ha ha ha aha haha haaamdlsanfharw 9t'v jgkn..........
Is it just me or do they seem more concerned about the post being hit than the cyclist?
I have a crane titan on my three bikes, conventional dring-dring bell, but all brass and the tone and volume is excellent. Pricey mind....
I note the reviewer says its a fast bike. It would have to be to avoid being seen!