Clampers & Bikes

Seanie_H · 28-05-2013 12:16am #1

Prob. a silly question but can they physically clamp a bike?

I ran into the takeaway this evening after parking illegally.... but thoughtfully. Two seconds later a clamping van appeared. I moved the bike straight away and they moved on pretty much straight away too. Didn't even check the cars at the pay display so it made me wonder if they thought they could nab me quickly.

Jackasaurus rex · 28-05-2013 12:20am

Saw a picture of a clamped bike that was taken in Dublin. Never seen it in real life though.

I'd have the wheel off quick smart and fit the spare. Vespa ftw

endacl · 28-05-2013 12:23am

Jackasaurus rex wrote: »

Saw a picture of a clamped bike that was taken in Dublin. Never seen it in real life though.

I'd have the wheel off quick smart and fit the spare. Vespa ftw

Yep. Would cost them a fortune in clamps.

Wonda-Boy · 28-05-2013 9:24am

Nothing would surprise me in this country, seen a horse and cart outside a government building. Came out 20mins later and the horse was up on four blocks and the cart was gone...

:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

Wossack · 28-05-2013 9:24am

if mine was clamped, I'd just get my breakdown recovery to bring it home for me

BlackWizard · 28-05-2013 9:29am

Putting nasty chains and metal up against my bike.. I hope they have insurance against people claiming for damage!

RosieJoe · 28-05-2013 9:45am

Kamikasi's bike was clamped years ago outside his job.

Soundman · 28-05-2013 8:17pm

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2012/03/22/meanwhile-at-the-ifsc/#comments

I think that is the photo mentioned above. Did a Google for it initially and found some very inventive clamps for bikes in the likes of Singapore that looks like it will actually prevent you from taking the wheel off.

KTRIC · 28-05-2013 8:39pm

I'd love to catch them do it , they'd need to make sure the Gardai and an ambulance are on standby. I f*cking hate anyone even touching my bike let alone put a huge metal clamp thing on it !!

eurofoxy · 28-05-2013 8:52pm

all i would say is his xray will go viral, as it not only will have a clamp buried up his hole, he will also have the wheel and my size 11...

arybvtcw0eolkf · 28-05-2013 9:58pm

At the IFSC Dublin..

Seanie_H · 28-05-2013 10:22pm

Jorge Handsome Muscle wrote: »

At the IFSC Dublin..

Very upsetting picture.

So it does happen!!

arybvtcw0eolkf · 28-05-2013 10:40pm

Seanie_H wrote: »

Very upsetting picture.

So it does happen!!

I've never actually seen or heard of it in real life.

But if I was clamped I'd just have the bike recovered by a mate, remove the clamp and fu*k it away.

I wouldn't be overly concerned at all.

7ofBrian · 28-05-2013 11:39pm

It most definitely does happen. I took this photo outside centra in Old Bawn :

nigs · 28-05-2013 11:40pm

legaly ur allowed to take it off. once you dont damage the actual clamp or chain. there is nothing they can do. took one off me van before. loosened nuts then droped the wishbone and took the chain off. gave the c*nt a ring and told him i need me van unclamped. meanwhile i brought the van home and came back down in the car with the clamp in the boot. lets just say the look on his face when he seen the van was gone was pricless. and just to rub it in i told him i wanted 120 yoyo'sfor storing his clamp........ he took it in good spirit in fairness.

Pedro K · 29-05-2013 12:46am

7ofBrian wrote: »

It most definitely does happen. I took this photo outside centra in Old Bawn :

Dickheads... I know that shopping centre well. There's walk ways all around the place and that isn't one of them. The bike was doing no harm there.

7ofBrian · 29-05-2013 9:11am

Actually that is one of the walkways between 2 pedestrian crossings (bike is opposite tyre place) but its still not blocking the path!

Wossack · 29-05-2013 10:19am

hypothetically, if you cant get the clamp off the bike, and it has to be left in the city centre overnight, and it gets pinched (clamp and all), where do you stand?
Off the bat, my bike is supposed to be garaged overnight, so insurance could be sticky..

nigs wrote: »

legaly ur allowed to take it off. once you dont damage the actual clamp or chain. there is nothing they can do. took one off me van before. loosened nuts then droped the wishbone and took the chain off. gave the c*nt a ring and told him i need me van unclamped. meanwhile i brought the van home and came back down in the car with the clamp in the boot. lets just say the look on his face when he seen the van was gone was pricless. and just to rub it in i told him i wanted 120 yoyo'sfor storing his clamp........ he took it in good spirit in fairness.

I would imagine they would pass the chain through the spokes of the wheel unfort - so not sure its possible to remove without damaging anything

Pedro K · 29-05-2013 2:16pm

7ofBrian wrote: »

Actually that is one of the walkways between 2 pedestrian crossings (bike is opposite tyre place) but its still not blocking the path!

I didn't remember that there were pedestrian crossings between those two things. Thought there was just the one running through the middle and anyone else would have to walk on the path in front of the chipper and tire place. I must be losing my memory...

Either way. Not harming anyone. Dickheads.

Del2005 · 29-05-2013 4:18pm

nigs wrote: »

legaly ur allowed to take it off. once you dont damage the actual clamp or chain. there is nothing they can do. took one off me van before. loosened nuts then droped the wishbone and took the chain off. gave the c*nt a ring and told him i need me van unclamped. meanwhile i brought the van home and came back down in the car with the clamp in the boot. lets just say the look on his face when he seen the van was gone was pricless. and just to rub it in i told him i wanted 120 yoyo'sfor storing his clamp........ he took it in good spirit in fairness.

You can't touch a clamp fitted by a local authority, or their authorised agents, even if you don't damage it. A private clamp can be removed if undamged.

Pedro K wrote: »

I didn't remember that there were pedestrian crossings between those two things. Thought there was just the one running through the middle and anyone else would have to walk on the path in front of the chipper and tire place. I must be losing my memory...

Either way. Not harming anyone. Dickheads.

The bike must have been there a while to be clamped, as usually unless you're blocking access they don't clamp bikes. I wouldn't mind but that car park is usually empty and they could have parked anywhere else and not got clamped, it's only in Dublin city where you can't park in the car bays.

Thinkingaboutit · 29-05-2013 11:57pm

Wossack wrote: »

hypothetically, if you cant get the clamp off the bike, and it has to be left in the city centre overnight, and it gets pinched (clamp and all), where do you stand?
Off the bat, my bike is supposed to be garaged overnight, so insurance could be sticky..

I would imagine they would pass the chain through the spokes of the wheel unfort - so not sure its possible to remove without damaging anything

A clamp could be stolen? My heart bleeds.

peckerhead · 30-05-2013 12:20am

Del2005 wrote: »

... they could have parked anywhere else and not got clamped, it's only in Dublin city where you can't park in the car bays.

Is that true? In (free) shopping centre-type carparks, you mean? Or on the streets?

Del2005 · 30-05-2013 7:56am

peckerhead wrote: »

Is that true? In (free) shopping centre-type carparks, you mean? Or on the streets?

From Dublin Cities 2012 Bye Laws.

Motor cycles
and pedal
cycles
prohibited from
parking in pay
and display
ticket parking
places

Which means there's very few legal places to park a bit in Dublin City!!

Once the bike is taxed* it can be parked anywhere accessible to the public unless signs prohibit it and I've never seen no motorcycles signs in any shopping centres.

*Tax isn't necessary for private property, like car parks, but you need to be taxed to get there or away if requested.

nigs · 30-05-2013 8:58am

Del2005 wrote: »

You can't touch a clamp fitted by a local authority, or their authorised agents, even if you don't damage it. A private clamp can be removed if undamged.

fair enough if you say so" im no legal expert. but the clamp I took off was belong to that NCPS crowd in a supermarket car park. so illegal or not. if any company puts a clamp on my car or my bike. and I feel I need to carry out.... wink,wink (emergency repairs). and their clamp just happens to fall off. grey area me thinks....? I know most are just doing their jobs but I don't think its regulated very well, there was no way I was paying 120 quid on a sunday morning for the sake of the morning papers and a sneaky dash into the bookies. but as I said the guy took it in good spirits. no commission for him but at least he didn't have to take a face load of abuse.

Bikerguy · 30-05-2013 11:42am

nigs wrote: »

Del2005 wrote: »

You can't touch a clamp fitted by a local authority, or their authorised agents, even if you don't damage it. A private clamp can be removed if undamged.

fair enough if you say so" im no legal expert. but the clamp I took off was belong to that NCPS crowd in a supermarket car park. so illegal or not. if any company puts a clamp on my car or my bike. and I feel I need to carry out.... wink,wink (emergency repairs). and their clamp just happens to fall off. grey area me thinks....? I know most are just doing their jobs but I don't think its regulated very well, there was no way I was paying 120 quid on a sunday morning for the sake of the morning papers and a sneaky dash into the bookies. but as I said the guy took it in good spirits. no commission for him but at least he didn't have to take a face load of abuse.

The fee is 80€ as far as i am concerned - at least in Dublin cc

nigs · 30-05-2013 11:49am

swear to god 120 euros on a sunday morning. ncps crowd....... in naas.

KamiKazi · 30-05-2013 12:19pm

Easily fixed lads

nigs · 30-05-2013 1:46pm

KamiKazi wrote: »

Easily fixed lads

love it..... must be one of them swiss army knives with the angle grinder attachment. mcgyver wouldn't have a patch on ye...

Del2005 · 30-05-2013 3:34pm

nigs wrote: »

fair enough if you say so" im no legal expert. but the clamp I took off was belong to that NCPS crowd in a supermarket car park. so illegal or not. if any company puts a clamp on my car or my bike. and I feel I need to carry out.... wink,wink (emergency repairs). and their clamp just happens to fall off. grey area me thinks....? I know most are just doing their jobs but I don't think its regulated very well, there was no way I was paying 120 quid on a sunday morning for the sake of the morning papers and a sneaky dash into the bookies. but as I said the guy took it in good spirits. no commission for him but at least he didn't have to take a face load of abuse.

The gray area is only on private clampers, like that got you, Dublin CC clampers have legal standing and interfering with their clamps is illegal. Private clamps are fair game as the companies don't want to take a case for damage in case they loose and then no one can clamp privately.

Seanie_H · 30-05-2013 9:14pm

Del2005 wrote: »

The gray area is only on private clampers, like that got you, Dublin CC clampers have legal standing and interfering with their clamps is illegal. Private clamps are fair game as the companies don't want to take a case for damage in case they loose and then no one can clamp privately.

So all the issues so far on this thread seem to be NSPC. Two examples are bikes parked on private property (the IFSC and a shopping centre) and don't seem to be obstructing much. So it seems to be NSPC are opportunists.

I'm sure Dublin City Council Clampers are there to make a quick buck too but they don't seem to be hitting bikes - providing they're not in pay & display.

Del2005 · 31-05-2013 7:32am

Seanie_H wrote: »

So all the issues so far on this thread seem to be NSPC. Two examples are bikes parked on private property (the IFSC and a shopping centre) and don't seem to be obstructing much. So it seems to be NSPC are opportunists.

I'm sure Dublin City Council Clampers are there to make a quick buck too but they don't seem to be hitting bikes - providing they're not in pay & display.

In fairness both bikes where illegally parked in places with loads of available space, doesn't matter who owns the property it should be respected so they don't ban bikes. DCC can't really start clamping bikes as then they'd have to provide access to parking bays or proper bike bays with proper ground anchors

Seanie_H · 31-05-2013 5:18pm

Del2005 wrote: »

In fairness both bikes where illegally parked in places with loads of available space

That's not true of the IFSC (that said, the IFSC parking was in the middle of a square and could have been more considerate).

Del2005 wrote: »

doesn't matter who owns the property it should be respected so they don't ban bikes.

It does matter who owns the property. In my opinion, the Old Bawn parking was fine and respectful.... hurting nobody and maintaining car spaces.

This thread is a good discussion on where to be more careful.

Del2005 · 31-05-2013 7:00pm

Seanie_H wrote: »

That's not true of the IFSC (that said, the IFSC parking was in the middle of a square and could have been more considerate).

That's the thing if they'd been more considerate they wouldn't have been clamped. Parking in the middle of a pedestrian area is asking for trouble

Seanie_H wrote: »

It does matter who owns the property.

Why?

Seanie_H wrote: »

In my opinion, the Old Bawn parking was fine and respectful.... hurting nobody and maintaining car spaces.

Blocking a footpath is never a better place to park a bike, it hurts people that need to use footpaths like wheelchairs and buggies. There are loads of places within a few meters that it could have been parked completely out of everyones ways and why do we need to maintain car spaces? I pay my tax and I'm entitled to park anywhere a car does unless it's Dublin City.

Seanie_H wrote: »

This thread is a good discussion on where to be more careful.

Common sense should be all that's needed, but unfortunately that's missing from a lot of people.

Bikerguy · 31-05-2013 9:46pm

Sorry for sound maybe crazy but can anyone explain to me why cant we park in car slot space? As mentioned we also pay road tax (at least i do) so if i will go shoping and i will ocupy free car park slot i may be clamped? It sound little stupid to me.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 31-05-2013 9:59pm

Bikerguy wrote: »

Sorry for sound maybe crazy but can anyone explain to me why cant we park in car slot space? As mentioned we also pay road tax (at least i do)

No actually you don't pay 'road tax', you pay a 'motor tax'.. Pedantic I know but thats what we're paying.

Why can't we use car park spaces?.. I've no idea, I'd never even think of it tbh. I'd rather park on the path and secure the bike to something like a pole or rail.

Bikerguy · 31-05-2013 11:50pm

Jorge Handsome Muscle wrote: »

No actually you don't pay 'road tax', you pay a 'motor tax'.. Pedantic I know but thats what we're paying.

Why can't we use car park spaces?.. I've no idea, I'd never even think of it tbh. I'd rather park on the path and secure the bike to something like a pole or rail.

Yeh but in that case u may have been clamped acording the pics provided in this topis, as the foot pad is not designed for parking...

Thanks for clearing up the term road/motor tax for me big man, now lets find out where can we actualy park safe.

For example in spain they do have parking disagned for "motos only", almost on every main street - free off charge and with plenty of poles to lock the bike to. Here u are left to use bicycle poles or foot/pedestrian pats - corect me if i am wrong.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 01-06-2013 12:08am

Bikerguy wrote: »

Yeh but in that case u may have been clamped acording the pics provided in this topis, as the foot pad is not designed for parking...

Thanks for clearing up the term road/motor tax for me big man, now lets find out where can we actualy park safe.

For example in spain they do have parking disagned for "motos only", almost on every main street - free off charge and with plenty of poles to lock the bike to. Here u are left to use bicycle poles or foot/pedestrian pats - corect me if i am wrong.

There used to be lots of allocated motorbike parking on O'Connell St but that seems to have largely disappeared in the last few years.

I try not leave my bike for long periods in the city tbh.. Usually when I park I park outside the shop/mall where I'll only be a few minutes away from it.

Del2005 · 01-06-2013 7:31am

Bikerguy wrote: »

Sorry for sound maybe crazy but can anyone explain to me why cant we park in car slot space? As mentioned we also pay road tax (at least i do) so if i will go shoping and i will ocupy free car park slot i may be clamped? It sound little stupid to me.

Bikerguy wrote: »

Yeh but in that case u may have been clamped acording the pics provided in this topis, as the foot pad is not designed for parking...

AFAIK it's only in Dublin City where motorbikes are banned from using the pay and display bays, see my earlier post with the link to Dublin Cities bye laws. Anywhere else we can park where we like once it's legal and it's never legal to park on a footpath, but if you park such that there's no risk of blocking wheelchairs or buggies it's generally not acted on. The bikes clamped in Old Bawn and IFSC where really taking it too far.

Bikerguy wrote: »

For example in spain they do have parking disagned for "motos only", almost on every main street - free off charge and with plenty of poles to lock the bike to. Here u are left to use bicycle poles or foot/pedestrian pats - corect me if i am wrong.

There are a couple of designated bike bays in Dublin city, there's one on Princes Street North with nothing to secure your bike to but there are loads of armed Gardaí are around here, and a few unofficial ones on tops of Grafton Street and outside Pearse Street cop shop are a few. Plenty of other bikes are locked on footpaths out of harms way without ever being clamped or ticketed.

Edit...

One time I was dropping into Megabikes and just parked up at the end of their sales bikes. The guy from the shop asked me to move it to the other end as they'd get hassle if I parked there, beside the traffic lights, and I'd maybe get a ticket so moved it to outside the cafe while still parking on the footpath.

Zascar · 03-06-2013 10:07am

Here's my bike clamped in the underground carpark where I worked at the time

There was no specific bike parking but everyone used to cram their bikes into a walkway - which had a no bike parking sign. I did not want mine getting hit by the guys who wheel deliveries in there, so I moved it into a big space in between two lift shafts. There was a fire exit nearby so they clamped me. Bastards. I did not have time to contest or take any drastic measures so I had the pay the €90

arybvtcw0eolkf · 03-06-2013 1:23pm

OUCH!... I'd be f*cking livid and ready to murder someone.

Clampers & Bikes

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