Hammersmith & Fulham Council has just put out a consultation on charging motorcycles to park – we need your help to keep bike parking free.

At the moment motorcycles park for free in all bays across most of Hammersmith & Fulham, including solo motorcycle bays. The Council is now considering changing that, but importantly they have not yet decided on the details. Crucially, it appears from council documents that they are open to retaining free parking in solo motorcycle bays, but we need your help to make sure that happens!

Respond now!

We need all riders to respond to this – before 5pm on Friday 18 September, to tell the council

💥No to charges for bikes throughout Hammersmith and Fulham

💥Parking in solo motorcycle bays must remain free, even if bikes are charged elsewhere

💥Any charges must reflect motorcycles’ impact, for example not charging the same as a car, and taking into account space taken up

The consultation is open ended, and includes the option at every stage to say no to charges.

We think motorcycle parking should be free everywhere. Although the Council may not ultimately agree, we believe there is a strong possibility we can at least keep free parking in all solo motorcycle bays, but we have to make the case for this NOW.

This isn’t just for residents, the Council says it wants to hear from everyone. If you live elsewhere but work, commute, shop, visit friends or family, or travel through Hammersmith & Fulham, they want to hear from you.

Respond here!

Answer in your own words and tell the Council about the real-world impact on you – particularly if you rely on your motorcycle for commuting, shift work, carrying equipment, running a business or travelling when public transport is impractical. Explain how charges might affect your behaviour, for example causing you to use a car or taxi more, or less frequently use businesses in the Borough.

Some general points you may want to consider are:

• Motorcycles are not cars – we are a distinct vehicle that takes up negligible parking space and doesn’t cause congestion
• Free motorcycle parking is one of the only incentives for people to use a small, space-efficient vehicle instead of a car
• Free parking in solo motorcycle bays encourages riders to use road space most efficiently
• Increasing the cost of using a motorcycle changes the balance of incentives – some journeys currently made by motorcycle will instead be made by car. That means more congestion, more emissions, and more road and parking space being used, not less.
• Electric motorcycles are by any definition a sustainable mode and should be encouraged in the same way as e-bikes

They first tried to do this under the radar 2 years ago using a traffic order but we managed to stop them by arguing that this was illegal. This survey is the first stage of the more extensive consultation process they now understand is required.

It’s vital we make our voices heard now.

Respond now!

If you live or work in Hammersmith and Fulham you can also make an impact by contacting your local councillor directly. Find out who they are and how to contact them by clicking HERE

We believe we can keep free parking for bikes, but only if we all pull together. Please share this email with everyone you know who cares about the future of motorcycling.

Written by Save London Motorcycling supported by the BMF