One hundred and seventy motorcycle and scooter riders brought traffic to a halt for an hour on Friday 24th in many West End streets – in a ‘peaceful legal protest’ ride round Marble Arch.
The demonstration was planned to show Westminster City Council what riders think of a new scheme to charge £1.50 for each time a motorcycle is parked on a street throughout the central London borough which includes London’s West End. TC notes that all participants were given strict instructions to “abide by all traffic regulations and traffic signals” by Chairman Warren of the ‘no-to-bike-parking-fees’ campaign group which was recently formed to fight the attempt by Westminster to impose the new charging scheme.
Go to notobikeparkingfees.com for more from them or here for what Westminster have to say. TC notes that the council for one of the richest areas in Britian say this move represents ‘progress’ in developing motorcycle parking in urban centres. However, the underlying message for motorbike and scooter riders is stark. Pay £1.50 by mobile phone to park each time you do – or pay a £40-£60 fine which doubles after 14 days…
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