Some observations by Neil Wallace

At Muir of Ord and Conon Bridge stations, the traditional 'Sheffield' type of cycle racks and awkward-to-use cycle lockers have recently been replaced. The existing curved polycarbonate roofs were removed and deposited in a skip - might these have been offered to a local community organisation for further use?

The modern replacement two-tier aluminium cycle racks have upper level racks which pull out and swing down, and will require periodic maintenance to gas struts and rollers. No typical instruction pictograms are visible on how to load a bike onto one of the tilting upper racks, or to 'Mind Your Head' when using the lower level. Note that the new curved roof structure is much higher and offers minimal protection from the weather where the front is facing into the prevailing wind.

The compact nature of the new racks provides around a third more bike storage capacity at these stations, and also creates some free hardstanding space where the cycle lockers were. This space could be brought back into use by re-introduction of a few 'Sheffield' type of cycle stands suitable for use by non-standard bikes, including some provision for adapted bikes such as are used by disabled people.

Some cyclists are reluctant to leave their bikes in public places for the day because of the perceived risk of vandalism or theft, highlighted by broken locks being found beside some stands. At unstaffed stations on the Far North Line, CCTV is the optimum solution - however Conon Bridge station has no CCTV cameras, and this has also caused difficulties when the Help button has been pressed.

Finally, a photo of a similar replacement installation at Inverness, where the road markings demonstrate that motorcycles are being squeezed out in favour of cyclists!