News that Manchester is planning to give motorcyclists a 100% discount on its proposed congestion-charging scheme, but not increase motorcycle parking provision, is like giving with one hand and taking away with the other says the British Motorcyclists Federation.
While welcoming the statement by Sir Richard Leese, Deputy Leader of Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, that: ''A wider use of motorbikes and scooters has the potential to reduce congestion, so we''re proposing that riders will also receive a 100% discount'', the BMF have nevertheless written to the Manchester’s City Council pointing out the anomaly that will be created due to a lack of parking spaces.
Having successfully campaigned over many years for better and secure parking arrangements in Manchester, funding for the rolling program of installing secure motorcycle parking bays was stopped in 2005 and since then, traffic wardens have been targeting motorcyclists for parking outside of the already grossly overcrowded parking bays.
The BMF says that with the cost of fuel and increasing traffic congestion, people are turning to motorcycles or scooters but finding that while their journey is quicker, they are liable to fines when they get to their destination!
Commenting, the BMF’s Campaign Manager for Manchester, Fred Tolley said: “Manchester makes a big noise about cutting congestion but the lack of parking facilities is a disincentive to anyone taking to two wheels. More than that, it has actually become a punitive regime with increasing numbers of motorcyclist now being fined for so-called illegal parking. Most of my time is now taken helping people appeal against fines instead of us working with the council to help address the shortfall in spaces.”
The BMF has also pointed out that the lack of parking does not comply with Manchester City Council’s Local Transport Plan nor does it comply with the Government’s Motorcycle Strategy, both of which encourage alternate transport to the motorcar.
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