Sainsburys Parking Bangor

Updated 8th December 2014 – Issue Resolved – Permanent Solution – Bollards In Place

sainsburysbollard4-250In November 2011 we reported about the new Sainsbury’s supermarket built in Bangor which had a dedicated motorcycle parking bay opposite the front doors of the new store.

The bay, large in size has blockpaving on its surface area which means no sinking sidestands, while the surrounding car park has a “tarmac” surface. The block paving also differentiates the motorcycle parking space from the car parking with its bright orange sign and bordered by a raised concrete kerb.

The front end of the motorcycle parking bay has two bollards which would assist in delineating the parking bay in stopping other vehicle drivers parking in it, however the “entrances” do not have bollards and this allows other vehicle drivers to park in the bay, in order to get a couple of feet nearer to the shop entrance.

There does not appear to be any secure locking points but with the bay close to the entrance, in an open “public area”, with CCTV camera coverage, it is not an area which would be easy pickings for bike thieves.

Back then we gave Sainsbury’s a ten out of ten for providing dedicated motorcycle parking.

But Then – Best Laid Plans

sainsburyssolution1-250However since then and until last week because the designated parking bay did not have bollards on the two ends of the space, car drivers were able and did on a daily basis park in the middle of the bay.

Riders contacted us and Sainsburys and we contacted Sainsburys.

The message that we all received from Sainsburys was – The car park is owned by a private estate company, Sainsburys have tried to get bollards installed but this has been objected to by the landlords.

There does appear to be an issue for disabled people (and perhaps others) parking in the motorcycle bay because the motorcycle parking is closer to the store than the disabled spaces.

The issue of the bollards is being pushed by the store manager and they are looking towards getting this resolved!

The ongoing problem apart from the disabled spaces issue elicited responses from riders, towards those that do not care whether they where young and fit and carrying cases of beer to the car or just nipping to the cash machine.

Simple Solution For Now

sainsburyssolution2-250The simple solutions are sometimes the best and a few years later that simple solution was to place heavy duty advertising units at each end the bay – thus leaving room for motorcycles to enter and park in the bay, along with the cycle parking.

Although a temporary solution until the more permanent one could be found – that will be the fitting of bollards.

We think that all round we can say we are happy with that!

Permanent Solution

This may be the last piece about the motorcycle parking bay at Sainsburys store on the Bangor Ring Road.

The reason for this is because the parking bay has sorted out with the landlords of the retail park by fitting bollards to the bay.

The fitting of the bollards now only allows access by motorcyclists, scooters and cyclists to what is after all, a dedicated parking bay for those vehicles

Although it took a bit longer than we would have liked, we are happy with the outcome and thank you Sainsburys for finally sorting the situation out!

Riders Comment

“About time…and look how simple and yet effective!! Only took 4 years”

“My wife and I have been there when a female motorcyclist was verbally abused by a car driver even though he was about to park in that area. Better putting bollards up to keep them out.”

“I saw this recently. A great idea which works!”

“About time. I used to park my bike as physically close to a car parked in those spaces so drivers couldn’t open their doors, I then jotted down reg numbers on my hand just in case anything happened to the my bike.”

“About time!!!”

Original Report

siansburyparking2smallOver on the Right To Ride Facebook page there was some discussion regarding the issue of other vehicles using the motorcycle parking at Sainsburys in Bangor.

Back in November 2011 we reported on the new Sainsbury’s being built beside Homebase in Bangor had a dedicated motorcycle parking bay opposite the front doors of the new store.

The bay, large in size has blockpaving as its surface area, the surrounding car park has a “tarmac” surface, so no sinking sidestands. The block paving differentiates the motorcycle parking space from the car parking with its bright orange sign and bordered by a raised concrete kerb.

The front end of the motorcycle parking bay has two bollards which would assist in delineating the parking bay in stopping other vehicle drivers parking in it, however the “entrances” do not have bollards which may lead to other vehicle drivers parking in the bay, just to get a couple of feet nearer to the shop entrance.

There does not appear to be any secure locking points but with the bay close to the entrance, in an open “public area”, the CCTV cameras, that we are sure will be in operation that would pick up mis-use.

Back then we gave Sainsbury’s a ten out of ten for providing dedicated motorcycle parking.

Sainsburys have tried to get bollards installed

siansburyparking1smallHowever in June we received a comment about the parking facilities at Sainsburys in Bangor, “Yes, the bike parking area in front of the new Bangor Sainsburys is very nice, unless some twat in their (usually SUV type) car hasn’t decided to park in it because it’s closer to the door.”

This stirred our curiosity up so we contacted Sainsburys and put the issue out on Facebook and the website, not only did we receive a reply from Sainsburys but other riders had already contacted Sainsburys.

The message we got back from Sainsburys was – the car park is owned by a private estate company, Sainsburys have tried to get bollards installed but this has been objected to by the landlords. There does appear to be an issue for disabled people (and perhaps others) parking in the motorcycle bay because the motorcycle parking is closer to the store than the disabled spaces. The issue of the bollards is being pushed by the store manager and they are looking towards getting this resolved!

However pictures from today show the motorcycle parking nearly full – the grey saloon car driver parked up and made his way to the cash machine – so no disability there – we checked for a Blue Badge.

Bike parking area in front of the new Bangor Sainsburys is very nice, unless…………

parkingsainsburyssmallresAs one rider previously said, “Yes, the bike parking area in front of the new Bangor Sainsburys is very nice, unless some twat in their (usually SUV type) car hasn’t decided to park in it because it’s closer to the door.”

Thankfully the rider of the bike pictured came along when there was only one car in the motorcycle parking space.

But with our own past experience of cars and motorcycles mixed in a “shared” space can lead to your motorcycle being reversed into and knocked over…………………………..

One might wonder if the private estate company would be responsible for or admit liability if property damage to a motorcycle or physical injury to rider is caused, giving that the problem has been pointed out and a solution has been suggested – bollards!

Also to bear in mind that we are aware that other Sainsburys with similar motorcycle parking spaces are protected by bollards.

On the other hand one might have a concern if we complained to much then the parking would be removed.

But nobody would be as thran as that would they?

If you have any pictures of the parking at Sainsburys Bangor we would love to see them and we will post them up here and out the Right To Ride Facebook page!

Previous Discussion

Your Motorcycle Parking at Sainsburys – Click Here
Follow the discussion on Facebook – Click Here
More discussion on Facebook – Click Here
Previous discussion on Facebook – Click Here
Bike parking at Queens Parade Bangor on Facebook – Click Here
Bike parking at Queens Parade Bangor on Right To Ride – Click Here

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  1. Bob Craven says

    As I understand it in England every car park, be it private as this is or local authority owned, has by laws made a few years ago,to make provisions for motorcycles/scooters as they have to as with disabled and children.bays.
    So Sainsburys are required by law to do so.
    Morrisons in Blackpool have a designated parking area but it is in a separate area away from normal car parking. It is also delineated by a different surface but more importantly by bollards.
    It is closer than many disabled bays.
    There is no way any other motor vehicle is going to use that space.. Thanks Morrisons.

    • Thanks Bob, although have you a reference to this “law” as without it, it becomes another internet myth?
      As this is in Northern Ireland you can guarantee that there are a different set of rules and regulastions 🙂

  2. Jay Ragnarsson says

    This is a great idea and I praise Sainsburys for the parking area.
    However, time and again I see cars parked there.
    Bollards are definitely required.

  3. Name and shame car drivers using the bike bay. Quick pic and post on Twitter, Facebook, etc.

  4. The same should be done for disabled parking bays, it is surprising how many non disabled drivers use them. Wheel clamp the drivers and give money to a needy charity.

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