Help save free bike parking

Campaigners are calling on motorcyclists to help save free bike parking by joining a demonstration ride around London’s North and South Circular.

Free roadside motorcycle bays have already been scrapped in central London and it’s feared the rest of the country will follow unless a legal challenge succeeds.

A campaign group hopes to raise the funds needed for the legal bid from donations at the protest ride on December 5. 

No to the Bike Parking Tax was defeated by Westminster City Council in High Court in July but has recently been granted leave to appeal the ruling.

The groups says the appeal, due to take place in March, can only go ahead if sufficient funds are raised.

Campaign chairman Warren Djanogly said: “We’re far more confident this time. We had to show we have a very real prospect of success, otherwise the assessing judge wouldn’t have granted permission to appeal.

“Other councils are already lining up to copy Westminster but they’re watching this case to see what happens first. If we win, that’s the end of it.

“We’re asking motorcyclists to join the protest and donate the equivalent of one tank of fuel to make it happen. It would be brilliant if 5000 riders came.”

The BMF is also calling on riders to back the campaign. The group’s Chris Hodder said: “Make no mistake, this is not just a London issue.”

No to the Bike Parking Tax has already staged a string of high-profile protests against Westminster’s £1 a day motorcycle parking charge, introduced in 2008.

The latest will depart from the Ace Café on the North Circular at 10.30am on December 5.

Find out more or make a donation at www.notobikeparkingtax.com