Security and Bike Store
Yes, security is an issue (how about date based code changes on the Institute Place entrance?)
I suppose what had to happen happened and Rehana’s bike was stolen from the courtyard between Saturday night and Sunday evening. I understand that the management committee has looked into the issue but has not managed to find an answer, although from conversations I’ve had in the corridors the issue is a burning one. Two things: A), surely it is unreasonable to expect for anyone, boy or girl, to carry their bike up and down up to four flights of stairs a day, when B) there is, for example, unused space on the left perimeter flank coming in from Institute Place. I understand that there may be restrictive covenants on the use of this area, but tying some bikes down is surely not one! How expensive can it be to fit a working lock and install some railings on which bikes can be chained, (with a small overhang against the rain as optional). I don’t think its an issue of cost, but of practical expediency and political goodwill.
Thank you
Christian (Flat 22)
Agreed, security is an issue, you live in Hackney! I am very sorry to hear that your bike was stolen. Whilst the board does it’s best to advise residents to not let unsolicited callers onto the property or to allow people to surf in through the gate/door behind them, it is up to each individual to be responsible for their own personal safety and property.
In answer to some of your points:-
The area you mention is not part of the common parts and belongs to an individual lessee.
There are lessees who live on the top floor of this building who carry their bikes up.
The code on the gate is changed periodically.
I have been advised on many occasions by our property managers, Crabtree, that bikes are indeed included in the items that should not be stored in common parts.
Despite what you think the board’s priority right now is to look at the bigger picture and ensure that the building is water tight. If you were a lessee who experienced leaks in their flat every time it rained, I think you would be justified in expecting the roof to be fixed before a bike rack was installed. Therefore, I am afraid I’ll have to disagree with you and make it clear that it is an issue of cost, we know that a solution to the issue of someone having to carry a bike up the stairs would be to construct a bike shed but I’ll state again there is no suitable site and it is a very low priority for the building in general.
Any money that is diverted away from our main priority, means that it takes longer to save up the funds to complete the roof refurbishment and move onto window replacement for the entire building, then repair the damage caused by the leaks, in the meantime comply with our obligations to the lease to maintain the building.
I am sorry this is probably not the answer you wanted to hear and I hope your household insurance covers your loss. If you would like to discuss this further please contact our property manager Elaine Thatcher at Crabtree.
There is an interesting article on the council’s website http://www.hackney.gov.uk about bike registration, it is obviously too late for the bike that was stolen but maybe useful for future reference. As mentioned in the article unfortunately for you, bike crime is the only crime in Hackney that hasn’t dropped over the last year……..please keep your remaining bike inside your flat to prevent a repeat occurrance.
You might want to take a stroll along to Brick Lane market this Sunday to see if it is on sale, Ebay might be another place to look – you never know, thieves are a pretty stupid lot!
I would concur with this. Twice I have know friends of mine to have their bikes taken and both times it has ended up down brink lane.
You should also keep your eye out along Kingsland road as there is a bike shop along there that sells ‘second’ hand bikes.