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Topic
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Hi, I live in an apartment here which does not provide bicycle parking. The only way to secure our bicycle is in our own unit. However the layout of the apartment is not bike friendly in the ways
1. Auto close doors to all doors leading in and out
2. Small elevators which is not long enough.
3. Entrance design layout to apartment unit is not easy
The aspect to the above in the end creates damages and injuries as the auto close doors is not friendly when moving a bicycle alone.
As an example in order to take our bicycle out from our unit.
1. Negotiate bicycle from our balcony through the sliding door.
2. Negotiate bicycle through our apartment unit main door
3. Negotiate bicycle in and out elevator
4. Negotiate bicycle through the main glass door of building
5. Negotiate bicycle through main gate to buildings
6. Negotiate bicycle through main gate to premise
All the 6 step has to be done every single time going in and out. As you can see the doors are not wide enough for a person and a bicycle to walk through. Neither can the door be opened when the person is on a bicycle.
As all the doors are only designed for normal single file human access.
It becomes a daily risk to try prevent damages to property and injuries.
There are several areas in the basement car park that or even the visitor car parks that can be recommended to be installed with bicycle lock rail which we tenants can use on a daily basis.
How do i get this suggestion across to the correct people so that it can be look into with a solution to us cyclist here who is trying to save the environment a little bit.
Thank you.
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I would find out who is on the executive committee and sound them out personally before doing anything formal. See who is sympathetic. If you were in the ACT the situation might be easier. One ordinary resolution of a general meeting is all that is required to install sustainability infrastructure on common property (could be bicycle parking or a solar electric system), so long as the proposal includes various details outlined in the Act.
Just reinforcing Peter C’s approach. Talk to someone on the EC but also talk to people who use bikes. If you have a noticeboard, use it to get people to support you. Ask a local Real Estate agent if having dedicated bike racks adds to the value of properties (it does!). And get your landlord involved – they will have much more influence on the EC than you will ever enjoy.
However, be prepared for the do nothing, spend nothing, moaning Minnies who will object on the following grounds:
1. Cost
(A: What about the cost of wear and tear on common property of bikes being bashed through doors, corridors and lifts?)
2. What if the bikes get stolen or damaged?
(A: Make it clear that bikes are left at the owners’ risk)
3. What if someone trips over a bike while passing the rack?
(A: What if someone gets injured by a bike in a lift, or a cyclist is hurt wrestling their bike up and down to their home).
4. There hasn’t been a problem before.
(A: Yes there has – it’s just that bike usage has increased and no one has complained before)
On the other hand, maybe your idea will be met with universal approval, and with that in mind, it may be better to start with the softly-softly approach … then build.
Best of luck
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
Just thinking ……. if bicycles are considered by some to be a sustainability initiative, maybe developers should consider constructing multi-unit-developments (MDUs) out of more sustainable materials, like maybe bamboo!
Seriously, what are we coming to when Councils such as the Cities of Sydney and Parramatta (in NSW) will contemplate approving some MDUs with no off-street parking at all? Surely sustainability doesn’t really mean going backwards in both time and reality?
Anyway – I’ll get off my bike and suggest, as Jimmy also suggested, that jonnchan approaches his Landlord via the Property Manager / Rental Agent, perhaps with a suggestion the he be permitted to fit some bicycle locking device to the area within his Unit’s carspace; assuming it has one.
YES – because they’re your Landlord’s Agent, and because unlike you, your Landlord (as an Owner) has a direct relationship with the Executive Committee from whom you’re hoping for some action.
My previous comments were slightly tongue-in cheek, but seriously, why don’t you invest in a device that can secure your bicycle to the floor or wall of your Unit’s carspace (if it has one), and seek your Landlord’s consent to install that?
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