I was invited to take part in a programme for BBC Radio 1 (2330 22 AUG 05) and had to visit our brand spanking new BBC HQ in the centre of Hull to be interviewed today. I did a reccy on Sunday to see what bike parking facilities they had as I planned to cycle there after work.
Nothing was evident, so I decided to use the Sheffield Stands in the city centre, leave the best bike at home and go back into town on the winter bike. Talking to the chap who set up the ISDN to London, I asked where the secure bike parking was. He replied that it was the poles outside and that they were supposed to be getting some proper stands but the budget didn't run to them.
Needless to say, there was a big underground car park with a pass operated barrier and security guard. At least this anti-cycling policy isn't confined to my own place of work!
Needless to say, there was a big underground car park with a pass operated barrier and security guard. At least this anti-cycling policy isn't confined to my own place of work!
I doubt it's an active anti-cycling policy at all. It's just that most designers and managers in large companies simply don't use cycles so never actually think of them or of providing facilities for them.
Needless to say, there was a big underground car park with a pass operated barrier and security guard. At least this anti-cycling policy isn't confined to my own place of work!
I doubt it's an active anti-cycling policy at all. It's just that most designers and managers in large companies simply don't use cycles so never actually think of them or of providing facilities for them.
Ever.
According to the BBC's in-house magazine, the BBC spends 1 million pounds a month on taxi fares. (Source: The Skeptic)
Anthony
-- Using Linux GNU/Debian - Windows-free zone http://www.acampbell.org.uk (blog, book reviews, Assassins, homeopathy, and skeptical articles). Email: replace "www" with "ac@"
Needless to say, there was a big underground car park with a pass operated barrier and security guard. At least this anti-cycling policy isn't confined to my own place of work!
I doubt it's an active anti-cycling policy at all. It's just that most designers and managers in large companies simply don't use cycles so never actually think of them or of providing facilities for them.
According to the BBC's in-house magazine, the BBC spends 1 million pounds a month on taxi fares. (Source: The Skeptic)
If so, a substantial amount of money could probably be saved by having pool bikes at every major BBC centre, and /paying/ staff a quarter of the taxi fare equivalent for every journey they make by bike rather than taxi. Yup, OK, the pool bikes would get stolen from time to time and need to be replaced, but it could still save into the hundreds of thousands a year.
As a matter of interest, how are those 'phone up and go' hire bikes surviving in London? Are they still in use, and do they get vandalised/stolen excessively?
On Wed, 03 Aug 2005 10:04:27 +0100 someone who may be Simon Brooke <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
According to the BBC's in-house magazine, the BBC spends 1 million pounds a month on taxi fares. (Source: The Skeptic)
If so, a substantial amount of money could probably be saved by having pool bikes at every major BBC centre, and /paying/ staff a quarter of the taxi fare equivalent for every journey they make by bike rather than taxi.
The BBC are very taxi obsessed. Programme staff seem very surprised if the offer of a "free" taxi is turned down and someone says they will cycle or get the bus to the studio.
-- David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government prevents me by using the RIP Act 2000.
The BBC are very taxi obsessed. Programme staff seem very surprised if the offer of a "free" taxi is turned down and someone says they will cycle or get the bus to the studio.
It's not just the Beeb. I do a spot on Channel 4 some lunchtimes, and cycle the mile from office to the studio; twice in the past year a taxi has turned up even though I specifically tell the booker that I won't need one.
On 3 Aug 2005 05:46:33 -0700 someone who may be "Shuggie" <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
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It's not just the Beeb. I do a spot on Channel 4 some lunchtimes, and cycle the mile from office to the studio; twice in the past year a taxi has turned up even though I specifically tell the booker that I won't need one.
I would have thought that Jon Snow has trained them out of such things.
-- David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government prevents me by using the RIP Act 2000.
Needless to say, there was a big underground car park with a pass operated barrier and security guard. At least this anti-cycling policy isn't confined to my own place of work!
I doubt it's an active anti-cycling policy at all. It's just that most designers and managers in large companies simply don't use cycles so never actually think of them or of providing facilities for them.
Ever.
As one who regularly works at the Beeb's facilities here in Manchester, I can say that the underground car park hereabouts contains Sheffields in quantity, along with showers and a changing room. Blame the Philharmonic, some of whom take their cycling/juggling/rollerblading seriously!
Anthony Campbell said:
According to the BBC's in-house magazine, the BBC spends 1 million pounds a month on taxi fares. (Source: The Skeptic)
When I started there, 'free' taxis were only available to technical staff if they were working late nights or early morning shifts outside public transport hours. They were later withdrawn, and from the mid-nineties taxis had to be paid in cash and the expenses reclaimed less tax.
What the current policy is, I don't know, as I'm no longer staff.
On Sat, 6 Aug 2005 21:20:00 +0000 someone who may be killermike <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
It's not just the Beeb. I do a spot on Channel 4 some lunchtimes, and cycle the mile from office to the studio; twice in the past year a taxi has turned up even though I specifically tell the booker that I won't need one.
In all fairness, could this tendency amongst broadcasting institutions stem from a desire to keep people on schedule?
Then why send a taxi, which is more liable to get stuck in traffic than a bike?
-- David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government prevents me by using the RIP Act 2000.
On Sat, 6 Aug 2005 21:20:00 +0000 someone who may be killermike <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
It's not just the Beeb. I do a spot on Channel 4 some lunchtimes, and cycle the mile from office to the studio; twice in the past year a taxi has turned up even though I specifically tell the booker that I won't need one.
In all fairness, could this tendency amongst broadcasting institutions stem from a desire to keep people on schedule?
Then why send a taxi, which is more liable to get stuck in traffic than a bike?
In all fairness, could this tendency amongst broadcasting institutions stem from a desire to keep people on schedule?
In all my riding round London I have never yet been beaten by colleagues using taxis or the tube. Quite often after leaving a meeting I catch an earlier train home than my colleagues and I can often catch a later train in.
-- Tony
"I did make a mistake once - I thought I'd made a mistake but I hadn't" Anon
On Sun, 07 Aug 2005 08:40:14 GMT someone who may be [email hidden] (Steven) wrote this:-
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Then why send a taxi, which is more liable to get stuck in traffic than a bike?
What sort of a bike?
Whatever sort of bike the person was going to ride to the location.
-- David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government prevents me by using the RIP Act 2000.
On Sat, 6 Aug 2005 21:20:00 +0000 someone who may be killermike <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
It's not just the Beeb. I do a spot on Channel 4 some lunchtimes, and cycle the mile from office to the studio; twice in the past year a taxi has turned up even though I specifically tell the booker that I won't need one.
In all fairness, could this tendency amongst broadcasting institutions stem from a desire to keep people on schedule?
Then why send a taxi, which is more liable to get stuck in traffic than a bike?
My point was that the reason a culture of taxi utilization (that sounds quite 'tabloid' ;-) exists amongst the broadcasting organizations is probably due to their desire to remove some transport autonomy from individuals.
On Sun, 7 Aug 2005 19:05:52 +0000 someone who may be killermike <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
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My point was that the reason a culture of taxi utilization (that sounds quite 'tabloid' ;-) exists amongst the broadcasting organizations is probably due to their desire to remove some transport autonomy from individuals.
They are adding an extra layer of complication, the taxi and driver.
The alternative is the individual travelling by bike and thus more likely to turn up on time.
Of course even if people turn up on time that does not mean that they will appear as planned. The BBC did once leave me and someone else in the reception area due to a [censored] up on their part.
-- David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government prevents me by using the RIP Act 2000.
On Sun, 7 Aug 2005 19:05:52 +0000 someone who may be killermike <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
Quoted message said:
My point was that the reason a culture of taxi utilization (that sounds quite 'tabloid' ;-) exists amongst the broadcasting organizations is probably due to their desire to remove some transport autonomy from individuals.
They are adding an extra layer of complication, the taxi and driver.
Probably simpler than making sure that every one time guest they want:
1) Can ride a bike 2) Has a bike 3) Has lighting if they need to travel in the dark 4) Has all weather clothing in case it rains 5) Is actually prepared to ride a bike to the particular location required
Quoted message said:
The alternative is the individual travelling by bike and thus more likely to turn up on time.
Actually, more likely to tell them to take a hike!
Quoted message said:
Of course even if people turn up on time that does not mean that they will appear as planned. The BBC did once leave me and someone else in the reception area due to a [censored] up on their part.
On Sun, 7 Aug 2005 19:05:52 +0000 someone who may be killermike <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
Quoted message said:
My point was that the reason a culture of taxi utilization (that sounds quite 'tabloid' ;-) exists amongst the broadcasting organizations is probably due to their desire to remove some transport autonomy from individuals.
They are adding an extra layer of complication, the taxi and driver.
Probably simpler than making sure that every one time guest they want:
"this is the BBC. How are you getting here? We can send a car for you if needed." "I'm coming by bike" "Ask the gate staff for directions to the cycle park on arrival"
How hard is that?
"this is the BBC. How are you getting here? We can send a car for you if needed." "Please send a car" <fx: phone down. phone rings> "This is the BBC. Please send a car to [censored] for yyy". "What is the account?"
Now tell me which of these are easier and less admin?
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1) Can ride a bike 2) Has a bike 3) Has lighting if they need to travel in the dark 4) Has all weather clothing in case it rains 5) Is actually prepared to ride a bike to the particular location required
And if travelling by car do they check the driving license, MOT, ensure you have enough fuel in the tank for you? Some things are personal responsibility.
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
The alternative is the individual travelling by bike and thus more likely to turn up on time.
Actually, more likely to tell them to take a hike!
Depends whether they are already a cyclist or not.
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Of course even if people turn up on time that does not mean that they will appear as planned. The BBC did once leave me and someone else in the reception area due to a [censored] up on their part.
