Have your say on changes to motorcycle parking
Hackney Council is asking local people to have their say on plans to introduce motorcycle parking permits in the borough, aimed at tackling London’s poor air quality by encouraging riders to switch to less polluting models.
The proposals would see resident permits introduced for motorcycles, which would be in line with cars with similar emissions, working out at about £5 a month for most motorcycle riders.
As with cars, businesses would also have to apply for permits for their motorcycles, and visiting motorcycle riders would have to apply for a visitor permit if parking in resident permit holder bays. This would discourage short journeys, and encourage commuting riders to use public transport instead.
Motorcycles would continue to be charged at current rates if they park in pay and display bays.
As part of the proposals, the Council would install lockable motorcycle parking hoops across the borough to improve motorcycle security.
Seven of the 11 other inner London boroughs already charge motorcycle riders for permits.
With over 10,000 premature deaths in London caused every year from air pollution and with petrol and diesel motor vehicles being the UK’s largest emitters of planet-heating carbon dioxide emissions, we’re determined to do everything we can to tackle the capital’s dangerously-polluted streets.
Motorcycles currently park free in resident bays in Hackney, despite polluting as much as some cars and being subject to less stringent emissions tests - so we’re proposing to charge them in line with cars, which have had emissions-based permits since 2015. This would work out at about £5 a month for most motorcycle riders, with the money raised going towards projects that improve transport, public spaces, road safety, as well as Freedom Passes for disabled people and those over 60.
As part of the proposals, we would spend £152,000 on installing 380 lockable motorcycle hoops across the borough to improve motorcycle security, a longstanding concern for riders in London. By also applying a permit charge of just £10 a year for electric vehicles, we would also be incentivising the transition to zero tailpipe emission vehicles for those who need to retain use of a two-wheeled motor vehicle.
Combustion engine motorcycles produce similar levels of dangerous nitrous oxide as cars, with up to five able to be parked in one car space.
Residents can have their say by visiting consultation.hackney.gov.uk and searching for ‘motorcycles’. The consultation closes on 18 May 2020.
The Council is also hosting a series of drop-in sessions, where residents can discuss the proposed changes. Details of the drop-in sessions are available at consultation.hackney.gov.uk - with the first being held at Ridley Road Market at 10am-2pm on 6 March. Residents can contact parking.policy@hackney.gov.uk or 020 8356 4008 with any questions or if they would like to request a paper copy of the consultation.