Great Western Coffee Shop

At Blackwater yesterday, I noticed a new support area for cyclists: there was a bike pump and a column with several tools such as screwdrivers, spanner’s etc chained  to it. I have raised the following point with GWR and BTP:
“@GWRHelp @BTP Rather mixed feelings about the provision of the cyclist tools at BAW station. On the one hand, good in case of puncture BUT worried that screwdrivers could be easily snatched and turned into stabbing tools." Here's an example but not the actual one.

(https://preview.ibb.co/h1ZYaq/bike-repair-stations-02.jpg) (https://ibb.co/deEo8A)

Given that, as you say, the tools are tethered to the tool post, you'd have to lure your victim to exactly the right spot to do this - and then imagine the embarrassment if they stepped back a few centimetres just as you went to stab them; you'd feel such a ninny.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the advantages for cyclists outweigh the minuscule possibility of an accident. That said, with the huge increase in knife culture related to drug gangs, and a murder of nature occurring a mile from that station, i was merely wondering if other stations where these have been installed have scene any antisocial accidents as a result.

I wonder how long that will remain there or intact?

There are plenty of these cycle repair stations in various spots around the country, not just railways. For instance, there's one outside Waitrose in Chipping Sodbury and I know I've seen them somewhere in the centre of Bristol too. I haven't heard of crimes committed with the tools and it would be very surprising if the cables tying them to the stand were at all easy to cut. Besides, if you can cut them, you've already got your bladed tool of some description...

Roll on the day when there's an inner-tube vending machine near each such repair station. 

Not stocked with the ones I bought from Halfords though which seem to leak slowly through the valve stem despite tightening the core up  ::)

Last time I visited Woking station cycle hub, half the tools seemed to be missing/stolen and the pump didn't work.

Of course, the ultimate facility at one of these repair points would be a helpline for this service :

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi-q8z7pKveAhXIy4UKHcp5A8QQtwIwAHoECAYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DTq_xTeWiv6I&usg=AOvVaw10UONuiAkf3xqh09YJoAsa

When out on my bike I always carry a couple of spare inner tubes, a pump and the appropriate tools to effect a puncture repair. This stuff occupies very little space. I don't think cyclists should be relying on others to fix their problems.

...and I wouldn't go anywhere near Halfords for anything to do with cycling!

I am a complete amateur though (and have never knowingly worn lycra) :D

Some friends had a summer holiday cycling up the Rhine valley. They have photos of just such a machine, and also of an aisle full of spare tubes in Tesco (or Lidl or whatever).