Latest update from Save London Motorcycling (SLM)

A few months ago we, SLM, told you the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) were taking legal action against Hackney Council over their punitive motorcycle parking charges.

At the time we thought we couldn’t bring the case as an unincorporated organisation. We’ve now found out that we can! We couldn’t establish this before the tight deadline for filing so the BMF stepped up but we’ve now agreed that SLM is the best group to take the case forward as we’ve been leading the campaign in Hackney.

Now we need your help to raise the funds needed to help take Hackney to court.

Donate here!

We don’t want to ask for money but Save London Motorcycling is entirely volunteer led and run, we don’t take membership fees because we want all riders to be able to get involved. Hackney Council can just get a government bail out! There is very little risk for them, which is why they are happy to fight even if they know they’re wrong.

We know many of you are struggling, and we don’t expect anything, but if everyone gave just a small amount it would help cover the costs of fighting the case!

Hackney have far more power and resources than us, but you can help us make this a fair fight!

Please click below to donate and share with anyone who you think might be able to help 👇

Please give what you can!

Remember Hackney are charging residents motorcycles exactly the same as cars, up to £596 a year. They’re charging commuters up to £10 a day, adding up to £2,300 a year!

We can’t let them get away with this unchallenged! Raising the money needed will send a message to all councils that bikers can’t be messed with!

We know you’ve probably got some questions about this, so we’ve tried to answer them below…

Why are Hackney Council being taken to court?

Thousands of riders spent years trying to get the Council to listen to reason, but they refused.

We have legal advice that there are solid grounds to challenge Hackney in court, on the basis that:

💥 the Council failed to properly balance its aim of reducing motorcycle use with its legal responsibility to provide adequate parking
💥 the Council has not made any efforts to consider the actual effect of the policy, or provide any evidence that it will achieve the aims they have set out
💥 the Council has not taken into account the impact of the charges on disabled riders and the specific issues that affect those with a ‘Blue Badge’

A win could not only mean they have to withdraw the charges, but could also have massive consequences for parking and motorcycle policy in England. It could establish a principle that councils can’t just thoughtlessly apply car policies to motorcycles. This will impact all local and national government decisions about motorcycles, including clean air zones!

It would also make any other councils considering charges think again. Remember, we always knew this could spread, and now it is. Hounslow Council have just announced their plans to charge bikes, and it’s even spreading outside London to places like Bath!

This is why we need your help. If we can raise the money needed to take this forward it will show councils all over the UK that they can’t bully bikers.

Click here to donate!

What happens next?

We have applied to become the claimant with the BMF’s support. We think we’re the best group to take the case to court.

The case could go to a hearing in Autumn this year, where a judge will decide if the grounds have any merit. We need to pay for the court fees and our lawyers’ fees before this. This is why we’re asking for help! Everything we do is on a volunteer basis and the costs could go into the tens of thousands!

What happens to the money?

All the money raised will be placed in our solicitors’ DMH Stallard client account to pay for any costs on the case as it proceeds. DMH Stallard were recommended to us by the Trail Riders Fellowship based on their great track record fighting cases like this for riders’ rights.

Any additional funds left over after the case will form a legal fighting fund to fight similar cases in future.

Remember Hackney is not the only fight! Raising the money needed will show councils we’re ready and able to stand up for riders rights when we need to.

Thank you to everyone who already donated to our crowdfunder. This has helped pay for the legal advice and preparatory work that has got us this far. Unfortunately we will need more to keep up the fight!

Please share this email with your mates, your mum, or anyone you think could help!

Stand up for riders!

Unfortunately Hackney couldn’t be challenged until they made the final decision earlier this year. This means the charges came in on Monday 10th June and will be in place while the challenge progresses.

You can find some advice and information on the new charges on our website. If you have any questions or experience any issues please get in touch!

CLICK TO DONATE

Read previous BMF articles

hackney-bike-parking-charges

hackney-mc-parking-charges-final-consultation

hackney-council

NMC hackney-motorcycle-parking

hackney-riders-protest-parking-plan

Written by Save London Motorcycling partnered by British Motorcyclists Federation

Top image courtesy of Rustam Burkhanov on Unsplash