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More Motorcycle Parking in the West End?

Published by Tasha Crook
26 April 2006, 01:44
1 Comment
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The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is encouraging all motorcyclists who ride into the City of Westminster to respond to a web-based consultation on motorcycle parking. The consultation, which closes on the 30th April, focuses on whether there is sufficient provision for motorcycle parking, whether motorcycles should pay for parking, whether secure parking facilities should be provided and whether motorcycles should pay the congestion charge.

MAG in London has long been campaigning for increased motorcycle parking provision to accommodate the increase in motorcycle commuting as commuters switch from cars to bikes to beat both congestion and the congestion charge. Presently many commuters are left with no option but to park on pavements where they are being ticketed and can cause obstructions to pedestrians.

MAG insist that riders are helping Westminster's congestion problem, as motorcycles from the smallest scooter to the largest touring bike not only use less space than cars when moving and parking but they also liberate road space for essential four wheeled traffic to move more easily.

MAG's National President Ian Mutch said, "Westminster at times is like a jar full of pebbles, you can't fit another stone inside but you can still pour a handful of sand in. Motorcycles are that sand and it makes both environmental and business sense to let us park."

You can find details of the proposals and online questionnaire can be found at the link for the greater-london.mag-uk below.

Related Links
www.mag-uk.org
www.greater-london.mag-uk.org/westpark.shtml

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Pip13 | 18 July 2008, 19:27
(report) #1
I've just read MAG's (http://greater-london.mag-uk.org/west-park-report.pdf) having had a leaflet on my bike about wanting more bike parking and it costing me £5.00 a day. I was pretty annoyed when I saw this because thats one of the reasons I bought a bike, no congestion charge and no parking fee. I think this is just another way Westminster council is trying to leech money out of people, it seems the only people who are safe from being robbed are the cyclists who pay no road tax, mot, congestion, parking (where they are provided with areas to park cycles) they need no licence, insurance AND the government are talking about ploughing more money into extending the "Cycle Lane Network".
I don't want to sound like a Victor Meldrew (or my father) but I don't believe it, although there is an increase in motorcyclists since 1994/5
(http://greater-london.mag-uk.org/west-park-report.pdf)
it is not bad enough to charge EVERY biker (and scooterist) £5.00 per day. This is going to create a huge pot of cash for the council to forward to some other ridiculous venture. From the same report they listed some options, one being and extension (where possible) to existing motorcycle bays without security. I don't see this being a large undertaking, granted, they have to let all local business know etc etc but the cost must be nothing compared to what Boris is wasting on the busses.
I park my bike around Tottenham Court Road area and I have never had any problem parking, if there is no space in my usual by I go somewhere else and walk. I refuse to take the tube anywhere due to 1.price 2.safety and 3.time. I try not to take the bus because you rarely get on them let alone get a seat.
I will be trying to find a petition against paying for motorcycle parking...I would be a little happier if cyclists were made to licence their bikes, pay for parking and use the road under the law like every other road user but that's another argument for another day.



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