Edinburgh free bike parking threat...

I know many of you are not in Edinburgh but this is recurring trend in our cities... received this news yesterday...

DEDICATED MOTORCYCLE PARKING BAYS IN EDINBURGH UNDER THREAT

Under proposals outlined in TRO/09/76 Changes to Edinburgh CPZ Regulation around two thirds of all dedicated Solo Motorcycle parking bay are under threat in the city's Controlled Parking Zones.
Under a review of parking in the face of a chronic space shortage over 100 bike bays have been earmarked as sites for increased car parking.

Scottish MAG Rep Steve Wykes says, “Now that we have assessed the true scale of the threat, we seek the support of all riders who should communicate their thoughts to the authorities in writing, quoting TRO/09/76 to :-

The Director of City Development (Transport),
Waverley Court,
4 East Market Street,
Edinburgh
EH1 1 ZL

Full details of the plans are available at http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/trafficorders and our analysis of the effects for motorcyclists as well as how they can help are detailed at edinburgh.mag-uk.org The period for formal objections runs out by March 2, 2010.

This proposal will adversely affect all motorcycle or scooter riders who live, work or visit Edinburgh.

I live in Edinburgh and at the moment can park in a bike pay free of charge, but this is under threat from the above...

My personal view is that this seems to go against Council policy on congestion as it is making more provision for cars.

Does anyone have any "template" letters that have been used elsewhere??

All help appreciated!

[SoulKiss]

Also worth raising the point that they may counter with suggesting paid parking for bikes (like Westminster in London) instead...

Sounds like one of those situations where an online petition would be useful?

Who are the muppets in the planning dept? Take the cost of redesigning the 100m/b bays and how many cars do they thing will fit in them.Surely it would be a better solution to charge a bike a nominal figure for parking[50p] or is there idea that the m/bikes will then use a hundred car bays and generate more revenue?Where do you park all the other cars that are displaced,purely an accountants view of parking.

There is also an email address for objections....

trafficorders@edinburgh.gov.uk quote " TRO/09/76 "

Removing bike bays will result in less parking for bikes, forcing bikers to park in unsafe spaces between parked cars... it's that simple!!!

Please object by email!!!

Keep the Bike Bays!

G

[northwind]

It does say...

• "Motorcycles will be able to park free of charge:
  -in all shared-use parking places
  -in all pay-and-display parking places in zones 5 to 8 (where no parking places are individually marked)"

Which sounds good. Edinburgh's bike parking's weird, if you look at George Street there's about twice as much parking as is needed but then try and find any elsewhere and they're pretty damn scarce. And usually have a car in of course. It's all or nothing.

Originally Posted by northwind

It does say...

• "Motorcycles will be able to park free of charge:
  -in all shared-use parking places
  -in all pay-and-display parking places in zones 5 to 8 (where no parking places are individually marked)"

Which sounds good. Edinburgh's bike parking's weird, if you look at George Street there's about twice as much parking as is needed but then try and find any elsewhere and they're pretty damn scarce. And usually have a car in of course. It's all or nothing.

It may SOUND good but its waving goodbye to about 600 spaces dedicated for motorbikes!!!

George Street - This is where they plan to leave most of the bays untouched actually...Firstly, who lives in George Street? Secondly, it'll be shut to traffic in a couple of years anyway after the tramworks are finished.

Here's a sample of what they're planning to scrap!
Drumsheugh Gardens
or
Coates Gardens

As you can see you, the bays usually have railings to chain your bike to. I stay in a flat so rely on the bays for my bike...

Question:

Would you rather park your pride and joy in a motorcycle only bay, alongside other bikes, where you have the means to secure your bike to either a railing or another bike using a chain?

Or

Assuming you can find a space, park between 2 parked cars with no means of securing your bike to any street furniture, with every chance that your bike will be damaged or worst case scenario stolen, as it couldn't be secured to any "fixed" object?

I think the answer is obvious....You know it doesn't make sense! Please Object before it's too late!!!!




Here's what Edinburgh MAG say

• Those motorcyclists who have habitually been able to park in specific locations with additional security (either being able to secure their bikes to installed security devices or using mutual security through schemes such as lock to lock with fellow motorcyclists) will no longer be able to.
• The risk of damage to motorcycles from carelessness of other road users nudging or knocking bikes over in non-segregated parking places is greatly increased. Anecdotal evidence indicates that a motorcycle is likely to be knocked over once every two to three years in such a space, often causing many hundreds of pounds to repair. Conversely damage in dedicated bays is extremely rare.
• Each Solo Motorcycle bay lost to shared use permits one additional car to be parked at the expense of up to six motorcycles. The Solo Motorcycle parking areas in the City are extensively used by residents, commuters and visitors because they offer a secure and obviously signed area for parking of scooters, mopeds and motorcycles. They are recognised by car users as a resource specifically for motorcycles and therefore the possibility of machines being damaged by inconsiderate car parking is minimised.
• Signage advising motorcycle riders that free parking is available in shared-use parking places and public parking places has not been adequately addressed, effectively slashing of the number of visible parking spaces for motorcycles, scooters and mopeds in the City.
• In a tourist destination such as Edinburgh, inadequate signage will serve to discourage motorcyclists who will not be familiar with the intricacies of what is and is not permitted.

Originally Posted by Geeman

motorcycles, scooters and mopeds

Aye, it's a grim day indeed when you have to throw your lot in with the scooterists and the ped boyz.