A council has come under fire on social media after installing a series of bike stands outside a pub, prompting some residents to accuse the “messy” infrastructure of being an “eyesore” and blocking access for “less mobile residents” and wheelchair users – despite, as many local cyclists pointed out, the stands being installed on a section of road previously reserved for parked cars.
Earlier this week, Worcestershire County Council unveiled the new cycle stands, which have been installed outside the Queen Elizabeth Inn in Elmley Castle, described by the local parish council as “one of the most beautiful villages” in the county and “probably in England”.
“Our Small Works Team has been busy installing brand-new bicycle racks to keep your two-wheeled rides safe and secure,” the council – now under the control of Reform UK following last month’s local elections – said in a Facebook post which also detailed its ongoing pothole repairs and pavement and road surfacing works.
“Whether you’re out for a scenic spin or just pedalling to the pub, we’ve got you covered!”
However, the new racks – and their location and appearance – have proved a somewhat predictable source of contention on social media.
“Looks like a few pints were had before installing that, what a mess,” Matthew Roberts wrote, rather topically, while Steven Burgess described the placement of the Sheffield stands as a “Friday afternoon job”.
“What was wrong with putting your bike round the back in the car park? They look awfully un-Elizabethan,” added David.
And Manna wrote: “Is that it finished? Hope not. All bases off in different angles, and needs resurfacing to hide.”
“What did they use to install them, a hand grenade?” asked Tim.
> Bicycle racks in pub loading bays causing “unnecessary stress”, businesses claim
Meanwhile, others – some of whom had clearly not visited Elmley Castle recently – combined their aesthetic disapproval with concerns about the potential impact of the cycle parking infrastructure on people using the footpath… that doesn’t exist.
“I’m sorry but this absolutely awful,” said Liz. “That is a listed building and looks appalling! Where is the thought for the less mobile residents, wheelchairs, and even parents with prams?
“Waste of money in my opinion and detrimental to the character of this beautiful village and the building.”
“What a great way to narrow the path for prams and wheelchairs, what a waste of money, time, and effort,” added Stuart Philpott.
“So the pavement is now blocked for prams and wheelchair users?” asked Tracy Browne. “Doesn’t look like they could get past even if the bike racks are not being used.”
However, while the claim that the racks were blocking the “narrow” pavement was even repeated by the BBC, fortunately some actual locals were quickly on hand to point out that the stands were not, in fact, installed on a footpath of any kind.
Instead, they are situated on the road adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Inn, on the village’s Main Street, and in a spot formerly occupied on a typical day by parked cars and vans.
The spot where the bike stands have been installed outside the Queen Elizabeth Inn, in May 2024:
“It looks fine,” Liz Holpin said in response to the mostly misinformed critics weighing in on the council’s cycle parking initiative.
“It is good to have somewhere to attach a bike to. There’s enough space for the bike, and there isn’t a path anyway. Let’s be more positive people.”
“Great initiative,” added Neil. “It has been well used since the installation and is much appreciated by cyclists and the school bus drivers (who can now turn through the ‘hole in the wall’ without being obstructed by parked cars). A very positive addition to the village.”
Meanwhile, Edward wrote: “Looks like the parked cars are more of a problem.”
> You’ve invested in a great bike lock, but what should you lock it to? Bike racks and stands rated
In any case, the local authority has responded to this criticism of the appearance of the stands by pointing out that work will be carried out next week to add some finishing touches to the much-discussed infrastructure.
“We will be carrying out further works to improve the appearance of the bases of the bicycle racks, this is scheduled to be carried out next week,” a Worcestershire County Council spokesperson said.
-1024x680.jpg "“Clear anti-cyclist bias”: Lawsuit filed against Toronto police after cop doored cyclist… before ticketing rider over incident")
40 thoughts on ““Looks like a few pints were had”: New bike stands outside pub ruining “beautiful” village and blocking access for “less mobile residents”, locals claim – despite being installed on car parking space”
Nice bollard protected
Nice bollard protected Sheffields. Could be a better colour.
I think having bollards to
I think having bollards to protect them is a really good idea that you very rarely see. Without the bollards, it would be a matter of days before the stand at each end had been knocked over, I suspect.
I was thinking more
I was thinking more protecting the bicycles.
A few damaged bike stands are natural wastage, like railings, lampposts, retroreflective keep left signs and buildings.
Does a bollard only truly reach it’s full reason for being once damaged and demonstrating it’s purpose, rather than offering it’s protection just for being there? There’s some at work, shielding the security shack, which hopefully will never be hit, but each one can stop a speeding LGV, and they have about fifteen of them.
ktache wrote:
So was I.
I’ll always park near the middle of set of stands, if I can. Just in case…
I think it’s the pub – with
I think it’s the pub – with it’s gaudy high-contast “bling” wooden beams – that’s out of keeping (although it has an inn-keeper…).
Quote:
Yeah, because all of those white vans are just SO period…
brooksby wrote:
Is it your colour balance that’s off, or mine?
mdavidford wrote:
I was just using white vans as representative of the vehicles I imagine visit that pub, rather than making reference to any specific photograph…
This week I watched a pro on
This week I watched a pro on TV called A place in the sun of a hotel/restaurant who turned over one of their garages to a safe place for cyclists bikes. Last year they achieved 250 extra bookings that were cycling orientated.
I wonder how much business these racks would attract? Such a short sighted attitude. But that’s human nature, people have to hate before they love. Look at life negatively rather than with positivity.
Reminds me of English
Reminds me of English Heritage, which objected to cycle racks on the approach ramps outside Bristol Council House because they didn’t fit with the period the when it was built. Quite happy to have lots of cars parked there though.
What a bodge.
What a bodge.
Too close to the wall to be practically useable, and there is ample space to install some of it parallel so that tandems anddrive-in drive-out are practical etc. Why not go for a decent standard.
But a better solution would be a redesign of the street, perhaps including some greenery? It’s been like that so long they’ve forgotten the concepts of “pedestrian” and “civilised”.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KTJG3FC4LCJmF72t9
mattw wrote:
It looks like there’s the stand, then a couple of feet of gravel, then the wall of the pub. I’ve definitely seen worse.
Exhibit A https://maps.app
Exhibit A https://maps.app.goo.gl/otxGXLQVgLfGA4ak9
Yup – those definitely count
Yup – those definitely count as “worse”
The photo is a bit of an
The photo is a bit of an optical illusion, as it looks like the gravel is the base of the wall. But it’s not, and there’s a decent amount of space between the stands and the wall.
Perhaps they should have
Perhaps they should have installed wooden stocks styled bike racks 🙂
Will the Reform run council
Will the Reform run council choose to paint them in the gay pride rainbow colours. That would make them more acceptable.
Looks like they’re already
Looks like they’re already objecting to grey pride here. What about (also possibly symbolic) half black, half white?
Quote:
That’s a bit rubbish, you would’ve thought the local parish council would be a bit more certain about which country it’s in.
These do not look out of
These do not look out of place but if you lock a bike up how are people going to get passed as it will take up the whole width of the pavement, typical council to pay our money for a poorly thought out job
As stated in the article,
As stated in the article, these racks are not on a pavement. What does look apparent from that first picture is a car parked on a pavement further up. But I guess that isn’t a problem…
Quote:
From the article…
You did read the article didn
You did read the article didn’t you? No? Might be an idea too, as well as learning some spelling and punctuation. Just as well you only need to put an ‘X’ in the box next to the Reform candidate, eh?
For the record, people will be able to get ‘passed’ (past, actually) these more easily than the cars and vans that were parked there before. Because it isn’t a footway.
I know Reform have been a bit
I know Reform have been a bit less picky about their candidates than some parties (e.g. somehow missing that some have had a good track record of making / supporting racist statements and/or … “alternative facts”) …
… BUT I’m not aware they’ve accepted any fictional characters yet?
It was rumoured, but then
It was rumoured, but then debunked.
It’s not the councillors who
It’s not the councillors who were fake, but in some cases their eligibility for the role or indeed their commitment! (can’t recall how many have now decided to step down).
Jakrayan wrote:
Erm…
They installed them there
They installed them there because a drink driver killed 75 people on that exact spot
I don’t think Wheely will
I don’t think Wheely will bite unless you point out that all 75 were also wheelchair users…
Still can’t understand why
Still can’t understand why there is parking of any kind in front of a pub, unless they no longer sell alcohol.
I’m part of the “driving any vehicle motorized or not with alcohol in bloodstream should be your last free act” crowd though, so my views definitely differ.
evilcherry wrote:
Two words: designated driver. Also (more words I know) lots of people these days don’t drink but enjoy meeting their mates for a meal in the pub.
not everyone who goes to a
not everyone who goes to a pub drinks alcohol.
Six words: Pubs also sell
Pubs also sell none alcoholic beverages.
I dunno. Spend all that time
I dunno. Spend all that time moaning about drivers parking on the pavement, then someone comes along and blocks it with bike racks! Who thought this one through?
Bigfoz wrote:
They’re not on the pavement, they’re on the pub’s forecourt.
Tell me big motoring has got
Tell me big motoring has got you without telling me big motoring has got you..
”The problem with cyclists:
”The problem with cyclists: -They go too fast -They go too slow -They won’t get on the sidewalk -They won’t get off the sidewalk -They are rich hobbyists -They are folks who can’t afford a car -They are entitled and demand bike lanes -They take the lane when there’s no bike lane” — Peter Flax
Schrödinger’s cyclist
Schrödinger’s cyclist
Upsetting right whingers is
Upsetting right whingers is no longer fun, it’s simply too easy to wind the snowflakes up.
I do hope those bike stand
I do hope those bike stand hoops are more substantial than some I saw on a recent YouTube where thieves were able to to use a simple pipe cutter and within minutes were able to steal an expensive looking ebike.