As London Bikers we face 3 immediate issues and 2 threats or possibilities.
Westminster’s Parking Charges
Westminster Council has introduced a 6 month experiment and trial to make all M/C parking in Westminster chargeable. Their systems are broken. They are lying about how it is being introduced. They are justifying it on the basis that providing increased parking and security devices has to be paid for. Yet they don’t know how to provide the security and are trying a second approach in a few bays outside the central area. The whole experiment has to be seen as a revenue raising exercise. And not via the £1.50 per day or £150 per year but the £60/£120 fines. There is a very real danger that other councils in London will follow their lead if this trial is seen as a success.
Lack of Parking
For some years now councils in London have been systematically reducing parking bays for M/Cs. With the congestion charge leading to an increase in M/C in central London, most bays are full from 8am to 6pm. For years, there were many places where M/C parked on the pavement or in alleys in ways that harmed no-one. But this approach has been closed by outsourcing enforcement on pie work and quotas and now by redefining the definition of public highway.
Lack of Secure Parking
There has been an epidemic of M/C thefts in London. Even an alarm, disk lock and chain are insufficient if there is nothing to chain the bike to. On the one hand we should be demanding security devices but this is a double edged sword since this costs money which leads to a justification for charging. However, there are alternatives that cause no additional cost such as providing M/C areas in car parks and more effective crime prevention via CCTV.
Bus Lanes
We all know the arguments. We all applaud Boris Johnson’s support. And yet, nothing is happening. And the Cycling lobby and at least two councils are de-railing the process.
Congestion Charge
At the moment, M/C are free within the congestion area. But there are persistent rumours that this may not last.
If we don’t do something collectively then none of this will change and using a M/C in London will get increasingly difficult.
So I want to suggest that we stop arguing about the individual issues and start demonstrating, lobbying, engaging in the political process and generally making a bloody nuisance of ourselves to the powers that have some control over these things.
I hope this thread will generate ideas for action and will prompt individuals into actually taking some action. I hope it doesn’t de-generate into arguments as to whether the Westminster parking charge is justified or not.
I’m all fro trying peaceful, legal routes first and the best is to write and keep writing to your MP. O.K. they don’t have and power to control Westminster C C but the political process in this country is not just the defined systems.
Just keep the letter short, polite and ask him to raise this matter with the Member for Westminster. (Someone on here will know who that is.)
Member do talk to each other and raise issues on their constituents behalf with other MP’s,and local councils can often be influenced by their own MP.
On a practical level, I arranged installation of a chain rail on a 10 mtr. long bike parking bay for my employer, L B Greenwich, and with signage, there was change out of £1,000. Based on that, the cost of putting a secure rail on a bike bay works out at about £100/mtr so paid for in say 3 months at Westminsters parking rates. After that, it’s all gravy.
Also to Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
Peter Hendy, Commissioner, TFL
The Lord Mayor Alderman David Lewis, City of London
Stuart McGregor, City Of London
Malcom Murray Clark, Managing Director, Planning, TFL
Councillor Daniel Moylan, RBKC
Mrs Shirley Long, RBKC
