Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

141 replies

SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 15:15

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 17:41

Doveyouknow · 09/02/2024 17:25

Loads of people don't have outdoor space where I live and lock bikes outside. Ideally the council would install a communal bike shed on your road. However I can't see why locking it to a post would be a problem - it isn't going to block the pavement so I struggle to see why anyone would care.

Show quote history

Exactly. But even if most homes have front gardens or whatever, I don't! 😂

Our city is quite pro-cycling so I might speak to the local bike charity too.

OP posts:
LightSwerve · 09/02/2024 17:42

NoOrdinaryMorning · 09/02/2024 17:35

@LightSwerve So you've never seen housing that looks like this?!?!?!?!?!

Yes I have lived in it - but mine had a back yard.

Back to back terraces do exist but are not that common across the whole housing stock - there are no back to backs left in my city.

MardyBigBum · 09/02/2024 17:45

I see bikes all over the place in the city near where I live. What else are people supposed to do if they have no storage options? Assuming the pavement is wide enough to still get by with a wheelchair/ buggy, then what is the problem?

lifeispainauchocolat · 09/02/2024 17:45

SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 17:20

No, but would you get rid of a bike or put it where it can't be used just in case it might get stolen?!

Show quote history

If I didn't have suitable outside storage and wasn't willing/able to have it in my house then I wouldn't have bought a bike in the first place.

Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 17:49

Gobolina · 09/02/2024 17:27

If you get this, bung the workers a drink to put it outside the neighbours house 😂

Show quote history

Haha 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 17:52

Boobettes · 09/02/2024 17:29

What did she say when you mentioned her dumping her rubbish bags? Sorry if I missed it.

I didn't actually say anything as I didn't know if the white bags were hers, but the way she said she knew they weren't mine at Nd then they've gone makes me think they were hers. I should have said something the second time but I'm autistic and find it hard saying all the right things when put on the spot!

OP posts:
Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 17:55

LightSwerve · 09/02/2024 17:31

I accept areas are different but in my city houses that are converted have some form of outdoor space even if just a small yard, and new builds have bike storage.

There are some properties above shops etc. that have no storage, but they are a low percentage of the overall stock.

Show quote history

But it's not really relevant as I said my house has a small back garden but it won't work for it to be there. Anything that involves lifting or carrying the bike is unsuitable. If we can't have the bike, we can't have it.

OP posts:
Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 17:57

Spirallingdownwards · 09/02/2024 17:32

We live in Cambridge. Leave it where you lock it.

Also all 3 of our bikes have to be left outside whatever the weather. A carrier bag for the seat is useful! Can't believe 63% say unreasonable. They simply don't live in a world where everyone doesn't have a garden or garage!!

I agree! The amount of people saying bikes shouldn't be kept outside...well loads of us have to leave them outside. I'm not going to say 'oh really? I'll put it in my non-existent garage or shed, then!

OP posts:
Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 18:00

LightSwerve · 09/02/2024 17:33

I live in the same world, in fact I don't have a hall myself Grin

But OK then, high hooks somewhere in your house.

But you have outdoor space, so I would keep it there.

Show quote history

Why did you assume I had a hall then?!😂

I couldn't lift it from high hooks and even if I could it would have to be the focal point of my sitting room! I suppose it would be a talking point! 😂

And yes, I agree it could go in the back garden, but probably best to pass it on to someone who could use it than leave it languishing in the garden.

OP posts:
BobbyBiscuits · 09/02/2024 18:01

There's a chance it could be causing obstruction, though it looks like flytippers are the main culprits. I doubt it's actively illegal, but if it was stolen/ damaged and you tried to claim from the council they might turn the tables and fine you for abusing their precious telegraph pole or something...haha.

Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 18:01

RobertaFirmino · 09/02/2024 17:33

Is there something that could be installed on the front of your house to lock the bike to?

I'll look into this, thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 18:04

mitogoshi · 09/02/2024 17:35

Whether it is allowed is down to local bylaws, what you cannot do is block the pavement preventing wheelchairs or double pushchairs to pass freely. If it's a really wide pavement and there's no bylaw preventing it then go ahead.the wider wheelchairs are 1m wide as was my double trailer I used for my dc once older, remember that they need wider than the minimum to avoid hitting the bike

Thank you for this. The bike is flat against the pole so extends onto the pavement only a few centimetres. Double buggies can definitely get past. I'll check about wheelchairs, thank you.

OP posts:
determinedtomakethiswork · 09/02/2024 18:06

I would definitely get onto bike charities and local council. They can't say they want you to use bikes and then not allow somewhere to put them.

determinedtomakethiswork · 09/02/2024 18:06

Do you have a nearby station? Ours has a bike shed that you can leave your bikes in

Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 18:07

notacooldad · 09/02/2024 17:37

A good lock will prevent it getting stolen, loads of people lock their bikes up outside
Not true about a good chain will prevent it being stole. Axel grinders are used where I live. If I cycle in to town now I use my old rubbish bike tat no one wants and keep all my good bikes for when I know they are not going to be out of my sight.

Op why not hang it to an outside wall of your house. We have bike hooks that we use for our. Admittedly, they are on a wall in a garage but could be put on a side or back wall. Alternatively my friend has a bike rack on a pulley,
like the old fashioned pulleys used for siring washing inside.
Theres also a space saver stand that holds the bike upright so the bike doesn’t take up much room
Are any of those options any good?

Unless it can go over the windows I'm not sure how this would work?! I wouldn't be able to lift it, though.

OP posts:
Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 18:09

notacooldad · 09/02/2024 17:37

A good lock will prevent it getting stolen, loads of people lock their bikes up outside
Not true about a good chain will prevent it being stole. Axel grinders are used where I live. If I cycle in to town now I use my old rubbish bike tat no one wants and keep all my good bikes for when I know they are not going to be out of my sight.

Op why not hang it to an outside wall of your house. We have bike hooks that we use for our. Admittedly, they are on a wall in a garage but could be put on a side or back wall. Alternatively my friend has a bike rack on a pulley,
like the old fashioned pulleys used for siring washing inside.
Theres also a space saver stand that holds the bike upright so the bike doesn’t take up much room
Are any of those options any good?

I'm not sure how the pulley would work? The space saver sounds interesting I wonder if there would be room either side of the windows? If it went over the window this is possible as long as I don't have to lift it much. Thank you for the suggestions.

OP posts:
JMSA · 09/02/2024 18:10

I can understand that it must look a bit unsightly.
But honestly, it wouldn't really bother me at all.

Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 18:11

LightSwerve · 09/02/2024 17:42

Yes I have lived in it - but mine had a back yard.

Back to back terraces do exist but are not that common across the whole housing stock - there are no back to backs left in my city.

Show quote history

But I already said I'm unable to lift it through the house so it makes no difference if I have a garden or not!

OP posts:
Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 18:12

lifeispainauchocolat · 09/02/2024 17:45

If I didn't have suitable outside storage and wasn't willing/able to have it in my house then I wouldn't have bought a bike in the first place.

Show quote history

I actually didn't buy it, she was given it by school.

OP posts:
notacooldad · 09/02/2024 18:13

I'm not sure how the pulley would work?
I have seen this system work. It may not be ideal for your living conditions but it's an idea.

To lock my DD's bike to a telegraph pole outside our house?
lifeispainauchocolat · 09/02/2024 18:15

SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 18:12

I actually didn't buy it, she was given it by school.

Show quote history

Fair enough, but surely the school can't force you to take a bike?

Does she use it to get to/from school?

Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 18:15

BobbyBiscuits · 09/02/2024 18:01

There's a chance it could be causing obstruction, though it looks like flytippers are the main culprits. I doubt it's actively illegal, but if it was stolen/ damaged and you tried to claim from the council they might turn the tables and fine you for abusing their precious telegraph pole or something...haha.

Haha! Yes, if it was stolen/damaged it would just have to be one of those things!

OP posts:
Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 18:16

determinedtomakethiswork · 09/02/2024 18:06

I would definitely get onto bike charities and local council. They can't say they want you to use bikes and then not allow somewhere to put them.

Yes, hopefully they will be helpful.

OP posts:
Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 18:17

determinedtomakethiswork · 09/02/2024 18:06

Do you have a nearby station? Ours has a bike shed that you can leave your bikes in

We do have one a 10 min walk away, thank you for the idea.

OP posts:
Original poster
SummerDays2020 · 09/02/2024 18:18

JMSA · 09/02/2024 18:10

I can understand that it must look a bit unsightly.
But honestly, it wouldn't really bother me at all.

No more unsightly than some of the cars! 😂

OP posts: