As many of already know, the Corporation of London has been inundated with comments and objections from motorcyclists unhappy at their draft local transport plan. These are a summary of the points raised which will be represented at the forthcoming public enquiry by a joint team from MAG / BMF and the Motorcycle Industry Association.
For those of you in consultation with your own local transport authority we trust these will be of use. Do not hesitate to contact MAG Central on 0870 444 8 448 if you require further background information.
General
· Objects to reduction in the number of on-street motorcycle parking facilities.
· Objects to removal of motorcycle parking bays.
· Objects to charging for on-street motorcycle parking.
· Objects to loss of free on-street parking.
· Objects to limiting parking to three hours.
· The policy discourages motorcycles.
· Motorcycles should be used as part of an integrated transport strategy.
· Motorcycles are part of the solution to easing congestion and pollution.
· Motorcycles should be encouraged as an alternative to the car.
· Penalising cars, not motorcycles, is sensible.
· It is short-sighted to class motorcycles and scooters in the same category as cars.
· Existing motorcycle provision is a strong incentive for working in the City.
· Reference should be to `Powered Two Wheelers' (PTWs).
· Couriers and commuters are two separate groups and should not be mixed up.
· Many European cities are increasing long term &ee parking for PTWs.
· The growth in scooter use has been brought about by the `ring of steel'.
· Many motorcyclists use their bikes outside the rush hour.
· Make the square mile a car free square mile with only buses, taxis, and motorcycles.
· Allow motorcycles to use bus lanes.
Advantages of PTWs compared to other modes
· Motorcycles are fast and flexible for workers in the City.
· Can be certain of the travel time when commuting by motorcycle.
· Motorcycles are not as noisy, polluting or visually detrimental as cars and other motorised transport.
· Motorcycles are kinder to the environment than cars.
· They are cheap, clean, and quick.
· Conflict is marginal.
· PTWs help alleviate overloaded public transport.
Impacts (noise, pollution, conflict, visual detriment 8c congestion)
· If trying to improve congestion and pollution, then discouraging motorcycles is a backward step.
· To say motorcycles have less impact on cars is an understatement - it should be significantly less impact.
· Tone of paragraph suggests that motorcycles have an equivalent impact on the City's environment as cars.
· Cannot restrict motorcycles on the grounds of pollution, noise, aggression, obstruction and visual detriment compared to other forms of transport.
· Suggestion to substantiate with facts and figures on pollution, noise, conflict, danger and quantifying "visually detrimental".
· No justification or back up figures given regarding noise and pollution.
· "Visually detrimental" is a poor phrase and is unsubstantiated.
· A row of nice, clean motorcycles is nice to look at.
· The conflict argument is not valid.
· Conflict with pedestrians is largely pedestrians' fault.
Effects of policy
· It will drive people into already overcrowded public transport or into cars.
· Will increase use of public transport and taxis, etc.
· The increase in cost will force motorcycle users into cars.
· The effect will be more cars commuting into London
· Removing free motorcycle parking will make people seek employment/force people to work elsewhere.
· It will increase stress levels.
Alternatives
· Public transport: is not very good in the early hours; is inadequate and overcrowded; is not efficient; takes longer and is more expensive; is not reliable and safe 24 hours a day; is not a competitive service
· Many people have to travel when public transport is sparse or non-existent.
· Motorcycles are preferable to cars in the absence of an efficient public transport system.
· People are forced to use motorcycles because the public transport system is not adequate
· There is no viable alternative to commuting by motorcycle.
· Need to make public transport more attractive than using a motorcycle.
Parking issues
· Removing free parking is against the Government's "Bike to Basics" policy.
· It is unacceptable to reduce motorcycle parking. They are the most efficient way of travelling in the City. On-street parking bays are vital.
· Parking is essential for City workers.
· Motorcycle parking is very convenient
· Most do not like the fact that motorcycle parking will be treated "in a similar way to car parking".
· Free motorcycle parking is a major encouragement for car drivers to switch to PTWs.
· It will make life difficult for motorcycles if current motorcycle parking is changed.
· Removing motorcycle spaces will cause congestion.
· Removing parking will make people park on-street.
· Pay and Display parking is not suitable for motorcycles.
· Support for the reallocation of car parking for motorcycles.
· No mention of parking for courier bikes.
· More motorcycle bays are needed in the City; more free spaces are needed; free on-street parking should be increased for motorcycles; existing provision is not adequate.
· Long stay motorcycle bays are essential to the running of the City.
· Short stay motorcycle parking is irrelevant as most users are 9 to 5 office workers.
· Short stay motorcycle parking serves no purpose. There is no demand.
· What demand is there for short stay parking in the City?
· Provision of short-stay motorcycle parking will promote dangerous, obstructive and, visually detrimental road use.
· Need to match the reduction in on-street with an increase in off street spaces or problems will get worse.
· On and off street parking for motorcycles can be provided with minimal impact.
· What is an "appropriate proportion" of off street parking and where will it go?
· The proposal assumes that the number of off street car parks can adequately cover the number of on-street facilities currently available.
· There are only three or four car parks where off street provision could be made for motorcycles.
· There aren't any off street car parks for motorcycles to be allocated to.
· If enforced, who decides the appropriate number of parking spaces in off street car parks?
· If off street parking is implemented, need adequate number of spaces, which are free and close to City offices.
Safety and security
· Hiding parking bays off street will have implications for security.
· Short-stay parking will need tickets - possibility of them being stolen.
· Health and Safety at Work Regulations do not permit motorcycles to be held in most orthodox car parks.
· Motorcycles can give a feeling of personal security, especially for females in terms of not having to walk to stations in lonely areas late at night or early in the morning.
Financial issues
· The Corporation is just after more money.
· It is another way of generating more revenue.
· The money raised could be spent on policing motorcycle theft.
· It will hit those on low incomes (who find public transport or cars too expensive) if motorcycle parking is removed.
