Vandalism damages Celler bicycle boxes - city plans video surveillance

Vandalism damages Celler bicycle boxes - city plans video surveillance

Vandalism of bicycles has reached a new peak in the northern German city of Celle. Tourists who like to explore the city by bike have been faced with massive problems for some time. Celle press reports that right now, in the peak season for bicycle tourists, the luggage storage compartments in front of the Südwall parking garage have been severely affected. Of the twelve boxes that were originally available, only six are still available, which is not least due to wanton destruction.

Thomas Edathy, the head of the Celler Stadtwerke, testifies to the brazen actions: Some locker doors have been removed, the keyboards are smeared, and the foam attachments are even charred. So it seems as if the city and its infrastructure are not a particularly safe place for bicycle tourists at the moment.

The consequences of vandalism

If the situation doesn't improve, there could be consequences. Vandalism-proof systems were already an issue a year ago, but now video surveillance is being considered again. Edathy warns that if there is further vandalism, there may even be a risk that the lockers will be dismantled. A second station at the Südwall location has already been dismantled. Fortunately, there are new lockers in the P&R car park at the train station, which have so far been spared from vandalism.

The €20,000 investment in luggage storage and battery charging for bicycles is intended to benefit tourists in the long term, but the repeated damage raises questions. The Greens recently submitted a proposal to install an additional luggage storage locker in the old town. As the councilwoman and co-chair of the Green City Association, Karin Abenhausen, emphasizes, a central location would be necessary to increase the safety of bicycle tourists. Abenhausen is optimistic that the risk of vandalism would be lower at such a location.

What cyclists can do

Vandalism is a widespread problem that not only affects cyclists in Celle. Information from Bicyclerepair.org show that damage to bicycles is common in many large cities and public places. The spectrum ranges from minor damage such as stolen bells to larger damage such as stolen wheels or severed tires. As a preventative measure, it is recommended to only park bicycles in well-monitored locations or even in protected garages, especially more expensive models.

Separate bicycle insurance could also make sense, as most household contents insurance policies do not cover damage caused by vandalism. Additional protection with vandalism protection is particularly advisable for expensive bikes. In the event of damage, those affected should definitely report it and document the damage.

The look ahead

The Celler Stadtwerke is constantly working to improve the situation for bicycle tourists and to listen to the demands of residents and visitors. The decision on the Greens' application will be discussed in the upcoming meetings of the Urban Development Committee, and perhaps there will soon be solutions to reduce vandalism and increase Celle's attractiveness for tourists.

It remains to be hoped that both city officials and cyclists themselves will take action to increase safety for everyone. Only through collective efforts can such wanton destruction be contained so that Celle remains an inviting destination for all those who want to discover the city on two wheels.