Table reveals where is safe to leave a bike in Colchester

Colchester Cycling Campaign has assessed the relative safety of parking spots across Colchester.

It has created a table looking at the prevalence of bike theft while also hoping to inspire potential cyclists to leave their cars at home and make the change from four wheels to two.

The results showed bike safety was far from perfect with no gold stars handed out. The ratings ranged from silver stars to wooden spoons.

The highest rated shops were Priory Walk Sainsburys, Lidl at Gosbecks and Asda at Turner Rise - which were all awarded a silver star.

Asda narrowly missed a gold star, due to lack of cover over the bike racks, exposing cyclists to the elements.

The lowest rating was given to Aldi in Cowdray Avenue which received a wooden spoon for lack of facilities.

• Read more >> Reader letter: Choosing to cycle not drive in Colchester is opposite of 'utterly selfish'
   

Theft - this infographic shows the prevalence of bike theft in each area of Colchester

Wickes in Clarendon Way received one star. The low rating was due to what the group described as inadequate parking, as well as poor placement, with the bike racks tucked out of clear view, making them easy pickings for crooks.

Other Colchester stores did not make the list at all as a result of their lack of bike parking facilities.

Campaigners added it believed improved bike parking facilities will encourage the effort to go green and cut emissions.

There were 203 reported bike thefts in Colchester last year with 24 taking place this year already, according to Essex Police data.

Colchester Cycling Comittees league table - Credit: Stuart Johnson

Stuart Johnson, chairman of the Colchester Cycling Campaign, said: “We’d seen a lot of complaints on social media that bikes were getting stolen or that people were riding their bikes to the shops and once they had arrived there was no parking so we thought it was worthwhile to survey.

“We have contacted a number of stores in Colchester to ask for improvements.

“We continue to lobby Colchester Council for better cycle parking, part of the greater campaign to raise awareness of the importance to provide these facilities.

“It’s obvious that some stores are getting it and others not so much. We think big stores can do better to make cycling to their facilities more accessible.”