Edinburgh cyclist targeted by thieves because her bike is 'too big for hangars'
An Edinburgh disabled cyclist told how she had two adapted tricycles stolen because she was unable to store them in the city's bike hangars.
Activist Caroline Barr is calling for Edinburgh Council to invest in accessible cycle stores after callous crooks struck. The St Leonard’s resident has had physical disability since she was 13, which limits her mobility.
Council chiefs said ground level bike hangars can accept many sizes and styles of bike, including various adapted bikes - but they accept larger trikes and cargo bikes may not fit. Three larger hangars are being installed to increase options for such bike users, however.
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Over 180 hangars around the capital prevent bicycle theft by giving residents a secure place to store their bike overnight. Bicycle theft has been an issue in the city for sometime, with 4,022 bikes reported stolen between January 2020 and December 2022.
But residents like Caroline must find alternative methods for storing their trikes. Current hangars lack slots wide enough for tricycles like Caroline's.
Without accessible storage, she is forced to lock her trike in the car park outside her building, leaving it vulnerable to bike thieves.
Caroline has had two trikes stolen in recent years. While the activist said she was lucky that insurance covered the cost of her PFAU-Tec adapted trike, these specialised vehicles can cost as much as £2000.
She said: “Hangars are a place to leave your bike that is safe. Bike thefts are enormous in Edinburgh. Nearly all my friends have had at least one bike stolen unless they keep it in their flat. It’s really not great."
The activist invested in a high-quality bike lock but reported other challenges.
Caroline continued: “I got a good lock, and I thought that would solve my issues, but my hands are affected by my disability and I have trouble turning locks.”
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Despite the lack of accessibility, Caroline is an avid cyclist. She enjoys going to Crammond and Portobello on her trike.
She said: “The most important thing cycling has brought me is normality in getting around. People stop to talk to you, they tell me, ‘Great bike!’ They don’t say those things when I’m using my walker or scooter.”
“More and more people with disabilities are cycling and Edinburgh is an amazing place to cycle in. There are some wonderful cycle tracks."
Caroline’s activism has resulted in kerbs being dropped on many Southside streets, notably outside the Newington Library.
On the issue of accessible bike hangars, Caroline shared her feelings on the lack of accessibility. She said: “It feels like I’m being discounted and that I’m not important enough.”
The Edinburgh Council Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: "I’m sorry to hear about the thefts, which must have been disruptive as well as distressing.
"We are rolling out cycle hangars as part of our Secure On-street Cycle Parking project, and the next stage of the project will include non-standard hangars suitable for larger bikes and cargo bikes. I’d ask the resident to get in touch with us at: cycle.hangars@edinburgh.gov.uk and the team can look into this further."
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