Photomap

[Image taken 17.4.21] Rougier Street junction with Tanner Row, York.
This York resident has an e-bike. She uses it for leisure, utility and fitness. However, it is also a mobility aid. She rides with a family member who also has a health condition and who also uses her cycle to counteract the effects of it. Neither can lift a cycle (to make 'vertical multiple point turns' for example) to move into or out of cycle parking where too little space has been left around it (see also: #167154 and links, see also: #165819.)
Note how much attention she has to give to her position in relation to the obstacles around her. Note how much she needs to move her body. The clutter means you cannot now simply wheel your cycle in - or out.
People who are tall, with no mobility or strength issues, who ride lightweight cycles without attachments, who do not use their cycles for utility purposes such as shopping or other reasons that involve carrying luggage, such as a library visit, often do not understand the necessity of providing space that permits easy (no repositioning required) access and exiting. This is despite the need being explained and illustrated in every guide to cycle parking. The latest guidance is LTN 1/20 [assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/951074/cycle-infrastructure-design-ltn-1-20.pdf]. Table 11-2: Recommended and minimum dimensions for banks of Sheffield stands, on page 135, provides the measurements for access space for all situations and all cycle types.
Images: #167784, and #167785 illustrate another issue people may not be aware of (but professionals designing cycle parking and designing space for cycles including through chicanes ought to): cycles require support when being wheeled. When a cycle needs to turn, it becomes unstable. This is particularly an issue when chicanes are too tight and/or for a heavy(ier) or laden cycle. There is a real risk of jackknifing. There are myriad examples of chicanes that are too tight to be practical/safe in York including this one on Manor Lane, Rawcliffe: goo.gl/maps/2EcNernHtVvSNwTS7
and on the Racecourse (Knavesmire): goo.gl/maps/EYGbSPDrCxmUsrHe8 You can see additional tarmac has been added to widen the curve. Bare earth on the outside of curves at a chicane is a clear indication there is insufficient space for a cycle. This is only evidence that some people have succeeded in getting through. It does not reveal how many people are unable to do so or who have tried and failed or who found it too difficult to do so. The same instability occurs when cycle racks are too close to an object (eg: #165595).
The racks here are well used. And for a range of reasons including to visit a bar, to get a takeaway, to shop. Some people will therefore have luggage carrying capacity (may be full on arrival or may get filled in situ) or none. They may be on cargo cycles (see: #167507, #167288) or with friends/family (rack-/lock-sharing see: #166369). Any or all of them may have mobility issues.
The racks here used to be accessible and visible. Use is now limited by problems including not being visible from Rougier Street (bus shelters including with blocked panels: #167517, buses at the stops; increasing clutter - boxes of tech, an information totem - see: #167516); being difficult or hazardous to reach (via the not fit for this purpose drop kerb: #164850 on the corner or the kerbed stretch along Tanner Row: #164851; also that totem; also the bays for the hire scooters and cycles).
For the entire sequence of this person at these racks see: #167775, #167776, #167777, #167778, #167779, #167780, #167781, #167782, #167783, #167784, #167785, #167787. Note: the racks were not full at the time she visited. Had there been more cycles secured here access and exiting could have been even more difficult - unattractive to someone trying to use a cycle (instead of a car).
See also: all issues here: #164846 and links, Tier hire scooters/cycles see: #164663