bike cover on the street

cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
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Hello all,

Now I'm trying to cover my bike on my communal area:


Problem is that some of my neighbors gently steal my cover to put it on THEIR bike:


I'm not sure how to behave with them... shall I take it back? Maybe it's a cover from someone else and mine have flew away???


Anyway, I'm thinking to get a proper cover for my bike, do you think I can put that in the communal area?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001W17SXS/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A21574UZVRZB1Q

I'm wondering if they're going to complain
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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Check with the freeholders (landowners/landlord) first to get their permission since they might object. If they are happy it may make it easier to persuade your neighbours to accept it.
.
 

SRS

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 30, 2012
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South Coast
You could invest in a decent motorcycle cover.
Most have 2 slots at each end for a chain to pass through. You can then use a cheap lock to secure the cover to the bike wheel/s. Saves it blowing off too.
 

cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
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Check with the freeholders (landowners/landlord) first to get their permission since they might object. If they are happy it may make it easier to persuade your neighbours to accept it.
.
it's a council flat so there is no landlord I think
 

cwah

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flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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it's a council flat so there is no landlord I think
The Council is then. Getting permission from them could be difficult due to bureaucracy and possible health and safety implications. They might just say no to close the matter conveniently.

Avoiding asking them just means getting your neighbours to accept it, but even if they do the council may just remove it one day.

A simple waterproof cover is a better bet in the circumstances.
.
 

SRS

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 30, 2012
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Doesn't look as if i has slots.

Expect to pay £40-50 for heavy duty cover. Oxford make some good ones. Yes, they can be locked down but are no defence against someone with a knife.

Personally, i have got through loads of cheap Halfords type covers. My motorbike covers are now several years old and due to the slots never blow open.
 
D

Deleted member 4366

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Whatever you get, write your name on it with a permanent marker.

People will steel anything, especially bike covers. You need one that can be locked to your bike. I bet they'll even cut the lock if they can.

Can you see the parking place from your flat. If you can, get a CCTV camera, which will record when somebody is near your bike. Puter a notice on the cover "watched by CCTV recorder". A camera costs about £60 for a good one.
 

SRS

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 30, 2012
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South Coast
Have you any off road parking?
If so stick an old van on it and use it as bike shed. I know several people who do this.
 
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GloveMakingMan

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You only need a small space for one of these Wickes bike sheds. I lined mine with greenhouse bubble-wrap, cheap from garden centres and makes it damp proof.
 
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cwah

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I unfortunately don't have an off street parking and i doubt the council would allow me to put a shed in the middle of the court
 
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cwah

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Jun 3, 2011
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TinKitten

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Feb 26, 2014
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I would have thought the motorbike cover idea as suggested earlier would be the best idea. I have the R&G Superbike one and that's designed to have a chain loop through it and then you could affix it to the railing as seen in your picture above. D8veh's idea is a good one of using a permanent marker to write on it too. Hopefully between the both of those things you would keep your cover and it would be cheaper and more discreet than the 'bike tent' too.
 

JamesW

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 17, 2014
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cwah,

unless the bike cover can be removed with the bike, the council are unlikely to be happy with it on the basis that you are "using the space, even when you are not using it" and they could be lumbered with the costs of removal should you move and fail to take it with you - expect them to be very pessimistic like that.

I think the idea of a motor bike cover with lockable holes myself...

This thing claims to meet your needs I think!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00LE28HP8?psc=1

(have a look at the pics of the orange one and the camo one!)

James

edit - I see this is the one you have already found that SRS cannot see the slots on! SRS - specesavers might be overdue a visit!;)
 

awol

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 4, 2013
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You only need a small space for one of these Wickes bike sheds. I lined mine with greenhouse bubble-wrap, cheap from garden centres and makes it damp proof.
This looks like just what I am looking for but cannot find it on the wickes website. Would you know the aprox sizes?
 

SRS

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 30, 2012
848
349
South Coast
I've been parking few of my bike in the communal area without issue. My bike cover outside the communal area has been stolen. So far 2 of them are gone.

I wonder if something like this would be accepted by my council?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOTORBIKE-BIKE-COVER-SHED-MOPED-STORAGE-GARAGE-BARN-MOTORCYCLE-SCOOTER-SPORTS-/161103618584?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item2582862218

That does look like the perfect solution for me. And it's secure. But again, it's a communal area..
Cwah

I think you are having a laugh. How many of these do you see in a public area? None, and there is a good reason for that.

Not being rude, I think you need to get real, do what a lot of people do including myself.

Buy a decent cover that can be locked down and forget about it. Then get down the pub or whatever you do.