Who knew the location of a motorcycle shed could provoke such an outpouring of grief and righteous outrage?

Well, that's exactly what happened in Brighton this week, as Indigenous motorists expressed their anger and frustration at the placement of a new cycle shed in the seaside town of Norfolk Square.

The sheds first went into service in July, as part of Brighton and Hove City Council's plans to have 150 of the storage models installed across the city by Spring 2023.

“We are delighted with the response we needed for our new bike shelters. Locals have long needed it and it reflects their popularity,” Steve Davis, co-chair of the council's Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, said in late October.

Here is another new model cycle shed for residents of #Brighton & #Hove. They show up everywhere. If you see one, tag us in your tweet. pic.twitter.com/fqm2bz4sny

— Brighton Active Travel (@BATBrighton) July 23, 2022

However, the creation of 900 new secure bicycle parking spaces for residents did not please some motorists too much, who took to social media and the local press to complain about the unfortunate and unparalleled lack of two – yes, two – parking spaces. Clear space in Norfolk Square thanks to the new model shed.

A photo of the offending unit (below) was posted to a Brighton Anti-Cycle Lane Facebook group with the caption: "Intentionally placed to remove two paid parking spaces with residents' permits".

“2 poorly placed parking spaces. Sheer incompetence or persistence in BHCC's war on motorists and ticket payers??? WHY NOT PUT IT ON THE PLACE? Another consumer and Facebook resident, Bill Young, responded.

Young, 72, later explained his doubts about the location of the hangar (perhaps in a much less harsh tone) in an interview with the Argus.

"It's just absolutely amazing," he told the local newspaper. “I have no problem with the sheds, they only take up two parking spaces.

“It creates this hatred between local residents and car owners. I think it should be taken out and put in the place and that way there would be no problem.

A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, added: "All these sheds are useless and therefore take up all the metered parking in the streets.

“This shed would only hold one house, but the thing is, they might have put it in a corner of the park.

“I think they're getting used to occupying parking spaces. I guess people will take their bikes indoors all the time, so who are they for anyway? »

Hmmm, for some reason I'm not convinced that the particular interviewee has kept up to date with the live blog reports of bike parking on the street in Hackney...

> Hackney council was blasted for issuing more "nonsensical" harassment notices on bikes parked on the sidewalk

In response to the complaints, a spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council told Argus this morning: "We are aware of the considerations regarding the Norfolk Square cycle shed and are investigating it.