My sons bike has been vandalised several times while locked in the bike cage
at his school over the last couple of weeks the cage is locked in the
morning and opened in the afternoon in time for the kids to collect their
bikes and go home. I have had a look at the school cycling policy and it
does state that the school can in no way be held responsible for the bikes
while on their premises. I have spoken to the head of his year twice and he
said their is nothing he can do unless he has any witnesses to the alleged
offences. I questioned him on his use of the word alleged at this point as
the damaged caused could not be inflicted by riding the bike. It has had 9
punctures all on the sidewalls of the tyre where no objects have been found
either internal or external of the tyres, both brake cables have been
disconnected, the wiring for the computer has been snapped off and finally
the chain ring has been bent out of shape rendering the bike unrideable. I
have repaired all of this and my son continues to cycle but I now dread his
return daily for the next instalment of cycle repairs. The only option left
open to avoid the vandalism is for me to drive him to school and collect him
which would add to the already congested roads at these times of the day of
which I am loath to do. Does the school not have some duty of care to the
wellbeing of it's pupils and their possessions.
cheers
Jon_H