New car-free Brompton factory facing delays as traffic authority calls on bike brand to consider those with no choice but to drive

Having made such provision (by means of an agreement to use existing car parks), it is now National Highways who are calling for a traffic assessment, given the number of people who may now choose to drive instead of public transport/active travel. Chief among National Highways’ concerns is the requirement for a more detailed traffic and transport assessment to be carried out, especially in relation to Brompton’s desire to not include any car parking spaces at its site. As part of any repair or service we check the bike to assess if any additional repairs are required. If we recommend additional work, we will provide you with a no obligation cost estimate and ask if you want to proceed or not. The only way to get people to use bikes as a commuting vehicle or walking is by making it more convenient to use a bike, not the making of 0 parking spaces. There is always a situation where a car is needed; if you are disabled, transport big and bulky items, long distances to commute, that kind of stuff.

Perhaps I am doing them a disservice and they can equally maintain disc as they can rim brakes. They work well and are no concerns, and this shouldn’t be a factor against the bike. Comparatively to the other Marin bikes we have used in the past the volume of use this bike has had, and the type of riding we do on it, we haven’t trashed it as much as the others. As a result the bike still looks and performs as you would expect due to this.

kent hybrid bike

If I were advising them, I’d be looking to give them the evidence to allay concerns about the network, while highlighting a clear narrative about any car-centric biases within the planning system. It was Kent County Council’s highways department that said they must make provision for people who have no choice but to drive. Ive stayed in that hotel and while its odd, you definitely wont want to leave on foot. On game days though they provide shuttles etc. so its no different to a park and ride, only you can sleep and eat there too. “There has been a global realisation post-pandemic that we need to change how we live in our cities, to design them around the people that live in them, not the automobile. Brompton has a large part to play in supporting that transition, but we need to have more space to innovate and create the products of the future.

Assessments previously carried out by Kent County Council’s highways department suggested that the brand should consider alternative options for those staff and visitors who “have no choice but to drive”. This prompted Brompton to last year open discussions with HS1 Ltd, the owner of the multi-storey facility previously used by Eurostar passengers, and the nearby Ashford Designer Outlet to see if the company can share their car kent bayside cruiser parks. Under the travel plan drawn up for the site, no new parking spaces will be also created. Staff and visitors will instead be encouraged to cycle, walk, or use public transport to reach the factory, which will also have a visitors’ centre, museum, and café. Book an assessment – some of our repairs and services require booking a bike assessment as we’ll need to establish what part is required and may need to order in it.

But it looks as if the potential for site users (employees) to drive and park elsewhere is the key issue. That could affect the strategic road network, local businesses and residences etc. That means that Highways England and the local planning authority need to work with Brompton to get the issue sorted. I see a great marketing opportunity being lost here where Brompton can’t have this car free environment, in spite of offering car parking nearby. Ryan joined road.cc in December 2021 and since then has kept the site’s readers and listeners informed and enthralled (well at least occasionally) on news, the live blog, and the road.cc Podcast. After boarding a wrong bus at the world championships and ruining a good pair of jeans at the cyclocross, he now serves as road.cc’s senior news writer.

In the two years we have been riding it we have had only one puncture. The gearing on the bike is very forgiving with a ginormous rear cassette with its big ring at 51 teeth. This is the same as mountain bikes and bigger than most gravel bikes. The result here is a super easy pedal kent bayside cruiser option for any hill you come across or to simply get away from the traffic lights quicker. Having no derailleur on the front saves on weight and also reduces servicing costs. If your bike or E-scooter is left with us for a repair or service we’ll book you into our system.

They offer great traction when riding thanks to these small plastic raises on both sides. These little touches just add to the ease of the whole experience that you aren’t slipping on the pedals at all which if you are using it around town especially in the wet can be really helpful. We obviously don’t use this bike for long trips – anything between minutes generally. In that time it’s all very relaxed and smooth chatting as we go. The one aspect which makes it all a little strange is the super wide handlebars.

If you wish to proceed we’ll book your bike in at the earliest opportunity. My last big employer only got their 2000+ person office approved by including active travel provisions. Huge number of secure bike parking spaces in the undercroft, showers, lockers, changing rooms, even a repair hub. There is not a single situation where anyone visiting this factory has no alternative but to drive themselves there. Taxis will be allowed, Disabled parking will be provided, Courier vans will be catered for.