London bikers hit by charges: Islington start charging for parking

Islington Council in London are following in the footsteps of nearby Hackney by introducing parking charges for motorcycles and scooters within the borough.

The costs came into effect on February 1 as part of the council’s review of parking charges for all vehicles in the borough and now bikers are bearing the brunt, too.

It came as a shock to regular commuter Paolo Puccinelli, as he explains: “I have commuted into Islington on my scooter for over 15 years. I returned from a break and was back to work on March 1 and was surprised to find a PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) for a parking contravention stuck to the mirror when I returned.

“In my absence Islington had put up signs with the Ring Go number to pay £1 to pay for the day.” Paolo was ordered to pay £80, £40 if paid within 14 days, which he described as “outrageous and totally disproportionate.”

The decision comes while Hackney Council are reassessing their desire to introduce motorcycle parking charges for bikes.

An Islington spokesman said: “As part of our approach to climate change and to achieve our net-zero carbon ambitions by 2030, we have simplified the on-street parking charge system to encourage a reduction in non-essential motor vehicle use.

“While the majority of motorcycles have a lower environmental impact than petrol or diesel cars, they still emit harmful air pollutants including carbon emissions and nitrogen dioxide into the air.”

They added: “Motorcycles also contribute to congestion, making roads less safe for people who are walking, cycling, or taking other modes of active transport.”

Paolo has appealed the fine.

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Hackney veto evidence: London council refuse to back down on parking fees

First published 5 December 2022 by Stuart Prestidge

Hackney Council have voted down a motion to review the evidence regarding motorcycle emissions which the authority has used to base the introduction of two-wheeled vehicle parking charges.

Dozens of protestors attended a meeting of Hackney Council on Wednesday, November 23 in the ongoing battle to urge members to reconsider parking charges which riders calculate could cost low-paid workers up to £14,000 per year.

Addressing members, Karen Neill, a London businesswoman, said: “The council has said that motorcycles will be charged less if they have lower emissions, but their understanding of motorcycle emissions is flawed.

“The fact that electric motorcycles and cars will pay the same is just one example which proves this. Riders care about the environment just as much as anyone. We want to help the council achieve their aims by understanding the benefits of motorcycles and scooters.”

Architect of the parking plan, Cllr Mete Coban MBE, had previously admitted during a council meeting in July that data used during the public consultation, which claimed PTWs produce higher nitrogen dioxide emissions than cars, was flawed.

A Green Party councillor proposed the cabinet review the evidence, a motion seconded and supported by Tories, but Labour voted it down.

A spokesperson for Save London Motorcycling told us: “We were utterly shocked that the council voted down a motion to review the evidence, despite both opposition parties with one voice urging them to see sense.

“This is clearly indicative of Hackney Council’s disregard for facts and reason. Hackney Council’s ‘evidence’ base for this cruel policy has completely disintegrated.”

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Hackney ignore protests: Council press on with plans for £14k bike parking fees

First published 24 October 2022 by Stuart Prestidge

Despite a 7500-signature strong petition, a protest ride and a face-to-face meeting with campaigners, Hackney Council is still proposing the introduction of parking charges for motorcycles and scooters.

The October 14 meeting came after the Saturday, October 8 protest ride, co-organised by the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) and Save London Motorcycling (SLM), to fight council plans to charge workers who rely on motorcycles, up to £14,000 per year to park their motorcycles in the borough.

Architect of the proposal, Cllr Mete Coban MBE, met with campaigners to discuss the ramifications of implementing the charges. The meeting, however, was in vain as the council plan to go ahead with the charges.

An SLM spokesman said: “This drastic tax turns a low-cost transport mode into to a high-cost mode overnight. Hackney Council has no justification for this change.”

Campaigners also allege that the 2020 public consultation on motorcycle parking charges and subsequent report were flawed, using incorrect data, something Cllr Coban admitted was erroneous in a July 18 cabinet meeting after being challenged.

Specifically, the council used old data. Hackney, however, are still clinging to the claim that their decision is based on reducing air pollution and congestion.

A council spokesman said: “We are committed to improving local air quality and tackling the climate emergency. As part of this commitment, cabinet agreed in February 2021 to place motorcycles on the same footing as all other vehicles, with permit prices based solely on the emissions they produce.”

The council added that riders’ views will be taken into account when final decisions are taken.

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Parking demo is just the ticket: Masses turn out to protest against motorcycle parking charge plans

First published 17 October 2022 by Stuart Prestidge

Hundreds of motorcyclists staged a demonstration against Hackney Council on Saturday, October 8 to fight plans to charge riders up to £14,000 per year to park their motorcycles in the borough.

The event was co-organised by the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) and Save London Motorcycling (SLMC) with protesters riding to Hackney Town Hall to deliver a petition against the plans that now has 7000 signatures.

It also attracted big names from TV and the motorcycling world including Matthew Wright, presenter of The Wright Stuff, who said: “I don’t think any reasonable person would think that what Hackney Council is doing is fair and therefore it’s vital we take this protest onto the streets and persuade the council to do the right thing and back down.”

Fantastic speech from GMB Union Organiser @steve_garelick at the #SaveHackneyMC protest ✊ #EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/AuFA1hRBLN
— Save London Motorcycling 🏍️🛵 (@SaveLondonMC) October 9, 2022
 

Karen Neill, owner of local Zenith Motorcycles, also spoke to protestors before the ride, saying: “This is going to affect every single one of us, we all know it doesn’t matter what you ride, you are doing your bit for the environment, for congestion and for your pocket.”

Previous attempts to introduce motorcycling parking charges in the boroughs of Camden and Lewisham have been successfully fought off by the SLMC.

A spokesperson for the group said: “The way Hackney Council are planning to impose these crazy charges running into thousands of pounds on some of the lowest paid workers looks a lot like punching down. Enough is enough.”

Hackney Council failed to respond to numerous requests for comment.

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London bikers are hacked off: Big turnout expected for protest ride against Hackney bike charging plans

First published on 4 October 2022 by Stuart Prestidge

Riders are set to gather for a protest ride on Saturday, October 8 in a bid to get Hackney Council to reverse plans for parking charges for motorcycles across the borough.

The event has been organised by the Motorcycle Action Group and Save London Motorcycling who have described the charges, due to be introduced this autumn, as ‘astronomical’.

Specifically, charges for motorcycles and scooters to park in Hackney would be up to £6 per hour – that works out as 30 times more than any other London borough. Campaigners fear it could be the start of a nationwide trend.

“As far as we’re aware no other London councils have active plans to introduce powered two-wheeler parking charges, however we’re aware informally that many councils have considered the issue and are watching what happens in Hackney,” a Save London Motorcycling spokesman said.

Since the plans became public, more than 5500 motorcyclists have signed a petition which will be delivered to council offices. Not only would the charge affect commuters, but it could also have serious repercussions for businesses who fear a loss of trade.

The event will start at noon in Downs Park Road, E5 8JY, with brief speeches by figures from the local motorcycling community, including Karen Neill, owner of Zenith Motorcycles and Andrew Almond, owner of Hackney-based bike firm, Bolt Motorcycles.

The protest ride will commence around 12.30pm, following a circular route around Hackney Town Hall. At around 1-1.30pm selected riders will then stop at the town hall to pose for photographs with the petition, before re-joining the route.

The protest ride will then conclude at Dark Arts Coffee, located at E9 6JH, at around 2pm.

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Parking petition gathers pace: Fury over Hackney Council plans to charge bikes the same as cars to park

First published on 11 August 2022 by Phil West

London bikers have launched a petition in response to Hackney Council’s plans to charge motorcyclists the same as car drivers for parking.

Campaign group ‘Save London Motorcycling’ has been alerting riders to a plan in the borough and claim the changes could see riders pay up to £6 per hour to park, which could then equate to a claimed £14,000 a year. Traditionally, motorcycles have been able to park for free across Hackney.

So far more than 4000 people have added their names to the petition – including residents, commuters and even the odd celebrity, too.

There has also been support from local businesses, for example the popular Bike Shed venue, which is based in the borough. The Bike Shed told MCN: “The increased and unreasonable motorcycle parking charges will simply stop visitors and customers coming to Shoreditch. Not only will the Bike Shed suffer, but so will our local business community.”

The decision to charge motorcycles is part of the authority’s plans to deliver net zero emissions in the borough by 2040.

Currently the only inner London boroughs which charge for motorcycle parking are Westminster and Lewisham, which allow full day bike parking passes for £1 and £2 per day. Save London Motorcycling says the £14,000 figure is based on £6 an hour for a motorcycle moving between bays in order to park for the whole 08:30-18:30 charging period in zones A and B which, over 230 working days, works out to £13,800 a year.

Hackney Council claim it would not be possible for motorcyclists to face those charges because they “have introduced four-hour maximum stay bays”. The council asked for people’s views in 2020 and decided last year: “To place motorcycles on the same footing as all other vehicles, with permit prices based solely on the emissions they produce.”

Save London Motorcycling and MAG London are also planning a protest on September 11, 2022.

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Keyworkers fight Camden bike parking charge as 1500 sign MAG letter

First published on 11 March 2021 by Jordan Gibbons

More than 1500 key workers in Camden have signed an open letter organised by the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) which has been sent to councillors in Camden urging them to rethink extortionate proposed bike parking charges.

Parking a bike in solo motorcycle bays is currently free both for visitors and residents but the London borough are proposing charging up to £6 per hour for bike parking.

In the letter backed by huge numbers of keyworkers including nurses, doctors, teachers, police officers, couriers, construction workers and Blood Bikers, signatories have told the council that these proposed changes will place serious strain on their ability to go to work.

“Not being able to use my motorbike will affect my shift work, especially at weekends due to reduced services,” Roseanne Luther, Senior Staff Nurse at University College Hospital, told MAG.

“During the pandemic, using a motorcycle has allowed me to avoid unnecessary contact with the public as I am at high risk of being a carrier and spreading the virus unknowingly. My motorcycle is very efficient, and I do not sit in traffic adding to pollution or to congestion on the roads.”

Camden is proposing the charges because they say they want to encourage visitors or residents to consider greener modes of transport such as walking or cycling.

Spencer McEvoy, the Motorcycle Action Group’s Greater London Rep, said: “Thousands of keyworkers rely on their motorbikes to be able to get to work.

“Camden Council’s proposals will be devastating, not only to those workers but to all Camden residents who rely on these workers’ selfless public service. The very short consultation Camden ran during a Tier 4 lockdown, when travel patterns did not reflect reality. We have repeatedly asked to meet with Camden Council to explain this to them, but they have refused to engage with MAG.”

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Camden shock: Council plans extortionate bike parking charges

First published on 8 December, 2020 by Jordan Gibbons

Camden Council are proposing to get rid of their dedicated free motorcycle parking bays and replace them with multi-use bays that will cost £6 a day to park a bike. That means anyone who commutes into Camden by bike will be expected to fork out £1560 a year.

Even more outrageous is that the £6 per day option will only be available for the first two years, after which parking a bike will cost up to £5.91 an hour!

To help justify their price hike Camden Council claim that it is an attempt to “discourage inessential motorcycle journeys” with which they have taken umbrage.

The council further claims that motorcyclists are “more likely to be involved in collisions resulting in a fatality or serious injury to both pedestrians and cyclists” and that “peak sound levels for motorcycles can significantly exceed those for motor vehicles, creating noise and disturbance for residents”. MCN has asked for the evidence Camden Council has used to make these statements but at time of writing had yet to be presented with any.

“It’s outrageous,” says Lembit Opik, Director of Communications at Motorcycle Action Group. “Many of the people this will affect will already be low paid and can’t afford to change to a new electric bike or pay these charges.”

• See the proposed changes in full here

Out of 32 London boroughs only Westminster currently charges for motorcycle parking at just £1 per day (or 31p per day for a season ticket). Westminster has always justified their parking charge to some extent by installing extra security, such as ground anchors, although Camden have no such plans.

In fact, quite the opposite – by turning all the motorcycle bays into mixed use bays there will be no additional security options at all. Especially concerning as Camden has been a hotspot both for moped theft and moped enabled crime.

It’s not just visitors that are being shafted by this outrageous price hike, residents will have their permit prices doubled, while businesses (such as fast food delivery firms) will be charged £359 per year per bike.

Camden are offering some discounts on certain charges for electric vehicles, although they wouldn’t even come close to offsetting the cost of a new vehicle, while the £6 daily charge isn’t discounted at all.

Adam Kay runs a motorcycle workshop in Camden, which currently makes use of a dedicated motorcycle parking bay outside: “During the most crazy time in the world for health and business this is another stealth tax. Not everyone can walk or cycle and people are avoiding the underground as much as possible.”

The consultation is open until December 18 and all feedback should be sent to permitsreview@camden.gov.uk.

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Riders fight plans to charge for motorcycle parking in Hackney

First published on 27 March, 2020 by Jordan Gibbons

Hackney council have proposed emissions-based charging permits for motorcycles that could see locals paying hundreds of pounds a year to continue riding their bikes.

It’s currently free to park a bike in Hackney, however, if the new proposals go through, you’ll have to pay to park regardless of whether you’re a resident or a visitor.

The regulations are a minefield too – the vast majority of bikes will cost £61 for a permit but some older models could cost as much as £214 per year. Visiting the area works out at £4 a go for a visitor’s pass, while all the free motorcycle bays are to be converted into shared use that will cost £2 to discourage all-day commuting.

“Hackney has a long history of motorcycling,” says Andrew Almond of Bolt Motorcycles which sells coffee, motorcycle clothes and runs mechanics workshops in the borough. “Part of that is because Hackney is so poorly connected by public transport.

“I’m also worried it’ll put people off shopping locally. Why ride your bike around the area when you could go to Tesco out of town and park for free?”

MotoDen on Kingsland Road is the only bike dealer left in Hackney and is one of London’s biggest CBT providers.

“This will wreck our business,” says owner George Dennison. “We’ve been here 20 years and have two bike parking bays outside that are essential.

“Two-wheelers are the solution but they’re treating it like the problem. I don’t understand why they’re asking the same money as a car, when you can fit five or six bikes into the same sized space.”

If the proposals are approved, it’s feared the Hackney scheme could inspire other councils to follow suit.

“I understand that there’s a lot of pressure to reduce emissions across London but the truth is that electric bikes aren’t right for a lot of people yet,” adds Dennison, owner of MotoDen, Hackney’s only remaining bike dealer.

“Plus if the council continue with their plans, we won’t be around in a few years for people to buy them when they are ready. It’s so short sighted. I know it’s just one London borough for now but it will quickly spread across the capital and then other cities will be next.”

But bikers in London are planning a coordinated effort to reverse plans to charge bikes to park. Hackney council have opened up a consultation that could see riders paying as much as £214 per year to leave a bike on the street.

Visitors would have to pay £4 a day. The council claim that this is to bring motorcycles in line with cars while also encouraging people to switch to greener forms of transport but locals aren’t convinced.

One local bike riding resident who wished to remain anonymous agrees: “I used to work in government and this just strikes me as a cynical way of raising funds. The ULEZ is soon to expand to include the area and it will cost £15 per day to ride a non-compliant bike, which is sure to get all the badly polluting machines off the road.

“If that’s what the council’s goal is, that will do it for them. If bikes are ULEZ compliant, then why bother charging at all?

“There are important questions that need to be raised such as ‘how have they come to the conclusion this is the best way to reduce pollution?’ and ‘how will they measure the effectiveness of what they’re doing?.’”

Dennison thinks the knock-on economic effects could be huge: “I also have big concerns about who this will affect. We sell a lot of scooters to gig economy workers who live and work in the borough making deliveries on a moped.

“These guys simply won’t be able to afford what the council is charging. Anyone who rides a two-wheeler needs to fight this tax.”

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Petition launched against Matlock Bath parking charge plans

First published on 27 July, 2012 by Angus Parker

A petition has been set up to fight the planned parking charges for bikes on the streets of Matlock Bath, Derbyshire’s motorcycling Mecca.

Sheffield Motorcycle Centre (SMC) have started the online petition, approved by Derbyshire County Council, which requires 7,500 signatures to force a re-think and keep parking free on Matlock Bath’s North and South parades.

The village is one of the most popular destinations for bikers in the country, attracting thousands every month in summer, however, the council plans to bring in on-street parking charges for all vehicles on the North and South Parades, the areas usually full of bikes.

The plans are expected to have a negative impact on the local economy and local businesses have already voiced their concerns. Phil Kerry, owner of 800BC café, says the plans are “ridiculous; if we lose the bikes, business will fall dramatically”.

The county council claim they “have worked closely alongside the parish council to improve parking for businesses, residents and tourists”.

Phillip Taylor, marketing manager at SMC, told MCN, “The streets of Matlock Bath can be a great spectacle, attracting couples and families of all ages. We hope to get more recognition to protect the free parking on the parades and we are also thinking of doing a protest ride to raise awareness.”

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Second city plans bike parking charges

First published on 4 October, 2012 by Steve Farrell

Liverpool could follow London’s Westminster in scrapping free roadside motorcycle parking. A charge for motorcycle parking in the city centre could be introduced as early as this year under plans.

A Liverpool Council spokesman said: “A range of proposals are currently being considered, including the introduction of a small charge for motorcycle parking.” A public consultation is due to start within weeks.

Westminster Council introduced its charge for using traditionally free roadside motorcycle bays in 2008. It currently stands at £1 a day.

Campaign group No to Bike Parking Tax has previously warned that other councils will copy Westminster. The group said: “If you thought Westminster Council’s motorcycle parking charge would never apply to you, think again.”

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Parking campaigner cautious over chances of High Court success

First published on 25 June, 2010 by Steve Farrell

The leader of a campaign against motorcycle parking charges gave a cautious response when asked about his chances of High Court victory.

Speaking after barristers for both Westminster Council and campaign group No to the Bike Parking Tax put their arguments to High Court yesterday, Warren Djanogly said: “It’s with the judges. All the evidence has been put before them. We’ve said they’re [Westminster Council] outside the law. They’ve said they’re within the law.

“The judges will take about two weeks to come to a decision and then we’ll be called back to court.  

“Court is court. We’re talking about two barristers trying to convince the judges of two different things. We’ll have to wait and see which way they go.”

The campaign has argued the £1-a-day bike parking charge is illegal because its sole purpose is to raise revenue with no benefit to traffic, a claim Westminster disputes.

It’s feared free roadside motorcycle parking could be lost nationally if the campaign fails, while success could see Westminster’s charge rendered unenforceable.

Djanogly said protest rides would continue regardless of the outcome. “That’s where the real pressure comes from,” he added.

Around 80 campaigners gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand yesterday ahead of the hearing.  A more upbeat-sounding Djanogly said at the time: “We want judges entering the court to see the level of support.”

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Parking demo transforms M25

First published on 21 June, 2010 by Steve Farrell

A mile-and-a-half stretch of the M25 became a car-free zone on Saturday as nearly 2000 riders demonstrated over London motorcycle parking charges.

The demo did a complete 117-mile circuit of the motorway at 45mph as police closed junctions to keep cars out. 

Warren Djanogly, chairman of campaign group No to the Bike Parking Tax, said: “It was fantastic. There were over 1700 people. It took eight minutes for everyone to pass a camera filming the ride on the M25. The procession was a mile-and-a-half long.

“I went to bed with the rumble of engines in my ears.”

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Motorcycles chained to City Hall in parking protest

First published on 7 December, 2009 by Steve Farrell

Staff arriving at Westminster City Council’s offices in London today found the entrance blocked by a wall of motorcycles chained together in protest over parking charges.

Six chained-together bikes blocked the entrance to City Hall on Victoria Street for two hours from 8am to 10am, forcing staff to use a rear entrance.

Around 25 more bikes were parked on the concourse in front of the building.

Warren Djanogly, chairman of No to the Bike Parking Tax, said the aim was to “raise public awareness” of the group’s campaign against Westminster’s scrapping of free bike parking. 

Picture courtesy of Thierry Muller.

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Fight-back over London parking charges

First published on 7 October, 2008 by Steve Farrell

Riders facing new parking charges in London are planning to fight back with a go-slow protest.

Campaigners say Westminster City Council has failed to deliver secure parking facilities trumpeted as justification for the new £1.50 a day charge.

They are calling on motorcyclists to help defeat the scheme by joining the ride on October 24 at 1pm. Around 50 riders joined an earlier protest ride on September 28.

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Parking bay charges launched today in Westminster

First published on 4 August, 2008 by Steve Farrell

Westminster City Council today began introducing a £1.50 per day charge for motorcycle parking.

The council has planned a phased rollout of the charging scheme, with all its bays due to be covered by the end of August.

Riders can pay for parking by setting up a Pay by Phone account, or they can pre-register for the scheme online. In addition to the daily pass, riders can purchase a weekly pass for £5, a monthly pass for £20, a 3-monthly pass for £50, and an annual pass priced at £150.

As part of the charging scheme, the council has increased the number of motorcycle parking spaces by 1,500 to 6,000 spaces.

A spokeswoman for the council said it was looking for ways to improve the security of motorcycles parked in its area. In addition to providing security devices in some of its open bays, the council has provided 400 spaces in secure car parks, she said.