To lock my DD's bike to a telegraph pole outside our house?

[SummerDays2020]

We live in a mid terrace house with no front garden. I'm disabled and struggle to lift my DD's bike from the back garden to the front of the house in order for her to use it. She uses it regularly. So I decided to lock it to a telegraph pole that is between mine and my neighbours house. It's been there over a year.

When I left for the school run this afternoon neighbour was out putting a bag of rubbish near the telegraph pole. Not bin day. Anyway, she asked if it was my bike and I said yes. She then asked if I could move it as it had become a 'dumping ground' - I thought she might mean as there were a number of white sacks around the telegraph pole and told her 'it's only the bike that's mine not all the rubbish' she said 'I know - can you move it? It's a nightmare!'

My question is am I allowed to have it chained to the telegraph pole? What problem could it be causing her? (I couldn't speak longer as had to leave) I don't want to move it if possible as it means she will rarely be able to use it. I kind of feel if neighbour can 'dump' her car on the road my DD should be able to 'dump' her bike too! But I don't know the legalities which of course I would follow.

Just to add when I first did it I came out a few times when neighbours parked near it to ask if it was in their way and also spoke to BT engineers all who said it was no problem being there.

It's not good to leave a bike out in all types of weather. That would drive my decision.

Many councils will install lockable bike sheds in roads with terraced houses to encourage cycling. They are the size of one parking space but allow about half a dozen bikes. They place them on the road in a legal parking spot. I'd contact your council and see if that is an option

If it's more convenient for you then I would leave it!

Your neighbour does not own that land, bags of rubbish dumped against lamp posts and telegraph poles are a menace. I would lock the bike there.

Ask her if she's been to Amsterdam.

It’ll probably get stolen. Unless you live somewhere really sleepy. Even if it doesn’t it’s bad for the bike to be out in all weathers. If your DD is school age then can’t she push it through the house herself? But as for the neighbour not sure she gets any say over it.

A good lock will prevent it getting stolen, loads of people lock their bikes up outside

It has a cover - the same as it would have in the garden - no room in my house for it.

You're not doing anything wrong but the bike wouldn't last long where I live!

How old is DD? Could she take the bike through the house herself? or if you got a hook/rack to keep it on the wall nearer the front door, could you lift it on and off that?

She puts bags of rubbish there? How long for? Do they get taken?

I don't see a problem with the bike as long as its not obstructing the foot path.

Sounds like she's fly tipping.

That sounds great, thank you

Funnily enough my DC are half Dutch!

Can't you lock to something against your own house? Gutter or something?

Even with a cover a lot of moisture will be getting in, I really wouldn't leave a bike out in all weather.

I don't think you are breaking any laws, and I also think you have as much right to that 'street space' as your neighbour does, but I wouldn't leave it there as I would be concerned about it getting stolen or damaged, and I also don't think it is great being out in all weathers.
I don't think you've said how old your dd is, but presumably if she is old enough to go off riding a bike on her own, she is also old enough tobring it through from the back in order to ride it ?

Aren't you worried about it getting stolen?

I’d personally get dd to bring it in then store it in the garden ( in a shed if you have enough space for one).

So she's telling you off for chaining up a bike while dumping rubbish bags ? That's a bit batshit

It's been here around a year and a half and not stolen. It has a good lock and our road is quite quiet. And at the end of the day if the choice is it might get stolen so she can't use it vs. it has to be in the garden and can pretty much never use it - it seems a better bet to keep it out the front. It will be out in all weathers whether at the back or front.

The bike would need to be lifted as otherwise it will spread dirt through the house and DD has hypermobility so can't do this.

Thank you, that makes me feel better!

There's no room on the wall but I'm not keen on having a dirty bike in my sitting room, tbh!

And no, DD can't lift it through the house.

The white ones around the bike had gone when I got back and the black ones she was bringing out had been moved to in front of her house. The white ones had been there for weeks. The black ones will get taken but not til next Thursday.

It doesn't obstruct the footpath.

Neighbour was at her door as I came back and told me she found it difficult opening her door sometimes if parking. I understand but the bike is not that big so hardly causes a huge problem beyond a minor inconvenience. I told her I was speaking to the council about a bike shed on the road but then she'd lose a whole parking space so maybe it was better to just keep it where it was! She told me 'we're trying to keep the path clear' - while having bin bags out the front! It doesn't make sense, tbh. I hope this doesn't come across massively judgemental but she is alcohol and drug dependent and due to this I'm not quite sure she really knows what her argument is! But I like to be friendly and always got on with my neighbours so just hope I'm not starting anything!

But what if you had no where else to put it? I don't think a gutter would be suitable and it would be more in the way there too.

Shouldn't be locked on the pavement. In our area if they get reported the council removes them. You need to find somewhere else.

I sympathise but you shouldn’t be doing it. Why can’t you put it in your front garden?