The Tories are against bike parking taxes… so why the parking charge?

A document unearthed today outlines the positive Conservative Party policy on motorcycling, moped and scooter use. So we ask, why the parking charge imposed by Cllr Danny Chalkley in the Conservative run Westminster Council?

The document is titled “A fair deal for motorcyclists” [Download PDF]. here are a few quotes from it:

“The Conservative Party believes that motorcycling should be at the heart of transport policy. Motorcycles especially those with smaller engines, are generally less polluting than cars and make a minuscule contribution towards traffic congestion. They are part of our ‘Blue-Green’ agenda – our blend of Conservative common sense and environmental responsibility. It is a choice that should be available as one of the alternatives to private car use”.

• Ride to the MCN London Show to fight parking charges!

“The Conservative Party believes that the role and potential benefits of motorcycle use must be fully reflected in transport policy. Transport networks should be improved to offer real choice and a better travelling environment for all transport users, especially motorcyclists. By contrast, Labour have been all mouth and no delivery. Making conditions more difficult and costly for motorised road users without providing viable alternatives will not result in reduced car use – but standstill Britain instead”.

“Taxation of the motorcycle industry: We are opposed to Labour’s plans to tax motorcyclists who enter town centres or park their bikes at work, particularly as they make next to no contribution to congestion”.

“Motorcycles do not contribute much towards traffic congestion – they help reduce it. We believe that they should be exempt from congestion charging and the workplace parking tax. We tabled amendments to the Transport Bill that would have given motorcyclists such an exemption”.

“Motorcycles, obviously, do not take up as much parking space as other vehicles – usually a single car space can accommodate five to seven motorcycles. In order to encourage this efficient utilisation of land, we will support local authorities who provide more free on-street and off-street parking for motorcycles and mopeds“.

“The next Conservative government will place motorcycling at the heart of our transport policy and will continue to work with motorcycle groups and the industry to develop sensible policies to improve motorcycling in Britain”.

This document is a clear indication that the Conservative run Westminster Council (Especially Cllr Danny Chalkley the Councillor who introduced the charge) are contradicting their own party policies and stealth taxing, and should be immediately ejected from the party.

Feel free to discuss this in the notobikeparkingfees.com forum. We hope to see you at the demonstration against this stealth parking tax imposed on motorcyclists without justification outside Conservative HQ to have ALL these important questions answered, THIS THURSDAY 15th, 1PM. More details…

And also at our next Sunday demonstration which will be starting at the Ace Cafe on Sunday, 1st February, more details to follow. Also please make sure you sign the 10 Downing St petition which after 3 days has shot up to over 1000 signatories which obviously shows great support against this blatant taxation. SIGN IT NOW.

A message for Danny Chalkley: WE WILL NOT GO AWAY UNTIL THIS TAX IS ABOLISHED.