Motorcycle parking in Sydney

[MadKaw]

Sydney free parking plan for two wheels

July 24, 2008 - 1:16PM

Motorcycle and scooter riders will be able to park for free on streets controlled by the Sydney City Council in its proposal to encourage smaller, more environmentally-friendly modes of travel.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore today launched a draft of the City of Sydney Motorcycle and Scooter Strategy, which also proposes cheaper road tolls for those travelling on two wheels, and the installation of public charging points for electric motorcycles.

"The city is committed to sustainable transport options and supports the gradual shift away from large, polluting vehicles to smaller, more efficient vehicles to complement walking, cycling and public transport," Ms Moore told reporters in Sydney.

Between 2001 and 2007 there had been a significant increase in the number of registered motorcycles, and scooters to about 1.5 per cent of traffic movements throughout Sydney, she said.

"For some years motorcycle (riders) have suffered inequalities and also had problems with safety and security and this strategy is a move to address (those problems)," Ms Moore said.

"Clearly with congestion in Sydney and increased petrol prices being an incentive, people are looking for alternatives."

In addition to 600 free untimed parking spots already offered across the city for motorbikes, the plan. which covers the whole of the councils area, will allow scooters and motorcycles to park free in ticketed street parking zones, so long as they comply with time limits.

The plan will also trial street locking devices for motorcycles in some areas, offer discounted rates at parking stations and for residential parking permits, and promote improved motorcycle awareness by car drivers.

The plan, which will be considered by the council's transport committee next week before a period of public consultation and a 12 month trial, was developed with the help of the Motorcycle Council of NSW.

On average a scooter uses between 3.6 litres and 4.2 litres of petrol per 100 km, compared to more than 10 litres per 100 kilometres for a typical Australian six cylinder family car.

"Savings are not only in money ... but it's also every litre of fuel that isn't burnt doesn't turn into greenhouse gas and that's even more important," plan author Peter Thoeming told reporters.

Questioned about motorcycles running on coal-fired electric power still harming the atmosphere, Ms Moore said the draft strategy was a plan for the future.

"Wait until we get out green transformers across the grid. We are talking about the future," she said.

Ms Moore says she has not considered becoming a member of the scooter brigade herself, but she has recently bought a new bicycle and swapped her mayoral car for a hybrid Toyota Prius.

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Motorcycle Council Welcomes City of Sydney Motorcycle and Scooter Strategy



Sydney, 24th July 2008: The Motorcycle Council of NSW has welcomed the City of Sydney Motorcycle and Scooter Strategy launched today by the City. The new strategy includes a range of initiatives which make riding and parking motorcycles in the city, safer and more convenient and redresses past oversights which has seen motorcyclists omitted from Transport Policy.



Guy Stanford, Chairman of the MCC says this strategy signals an important turning point for motorcycle and scooter riders being specifically included in the development of Transport Policy.



“Up until now the needs of motorcycle and scooter riders have been ignored from a Transport Planning perspective. This strategy acknowledges that motorcycles are a separate class of transport and the needs of people who ride them are different from those of car drivers,” said Stanford.



With consistently rising numbers of motorcycle and scooter riders in Sydney and petrol prices increasing the City of Sydney claims that the strategy was designed to improve the safety of motorcyclists. The strategy will also support sustainable transport options and encourage a gradual shift away from large, polluting vehicles to smaller more efficient vehicles.



“We believe the City of Sydney has shown tremendous leadership with this initiative and created a clear, actionable plan to ensure that motorcycle and scooter riders are more effectively catered for on our city streets. Our future includes motorcycles and this is the first strategy that has taken decisive steps towards supporting sustainable transport options.”



About the Motorcycle Council of NSW

The Motorcycle Council of NSW is an internationally recognised umbrella group for motorcycle clubs, associations and ride groups in the state of NSW. Established in 1982, the MCC represents over 47 clubs, with more than 38,000 riders.



More information about the City of Sydney strategy can be found here:



http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/html/3657 ... ?orig=Home

Media Enquiries:

Guy Stanford
Chairman
Motorcycle Council of NSW
0417 661 827

[MadKaw]

MOTORCYCLE COUNICL OF NSW

Please distribute to riders who work in the City of Sydney.

We need to make it apparent that motorcycle and scooter riders WANT the strategy at the Council Meeting on Monday night
The best way os to BE THERE in recognisable numbers.

Can you attend this?

We need city workers who ride to be there and stand around looking familiar and at one with the office environment, but giving that strong hint that they are riders by their manner of dress - carrying a helmet, wearing a riding jacket, but please, no wet rainsuits, vests, badges and insignia - this needs to be excruciatingly middle-class. It's about dressing the same as the councillors and their staff, but with something to indicate you are a rider.

I would suggest all we need to do is say words of praise at the appropriate times, or a little ruffle of quiet applause at the apropriate time, etc

The last thing we want to do is frighten them in any way by appearing to be "outsiders" to the city corporate view.

"I commend this Council on this initiative, Sydney City now leads Australia by including motorcycles and scooters in Transport Policy and Transport Planning.
This foresight is a sound plan for the future, for sustainable low emissions transport."

or some simple concise message to make the Council FEEL good about it and flatten any naysayers with positives that can't be whinged down.

Guy

Guy Stanford
Chairman
Motorcycle Council of NSW
0417 661 827
http://www.roadsafety.mccofnsw.org.au
http://www.mccofnsw.org.au
http://www.pleaselooktwice.com

[Colette]

Well, it's about time!!

Dave, when is this event on? There was no mention of a date or venue?

[Blurr]

all over the radio news today.

Lets just hope it doesnt get shut down

[shinnynoggon]

they are a bit late , nth sydney have free bike parking zones all over the nth sydney area , and not timed , all day parking

[Blurr]

sydney CBD has them as well but they are aiming at increasing the number

[mike-s]

I haven't worked in the cbd for over two years, but when i stopped commuting to the cbd the cutoff point was about 7:45, with the increase in scooterism with the whole duel thing i wouldn't be surprised that If you get to the cbd after 7:15 theres no chance of getting a free onstreet parking spot.

[Gosling1]

the bikers who park in the CBD reckon that all spots are gone by mid-morning, not 7am.....

the other good news was that this improvement to bike parking in the CBD was also going to include a trial of electrical outlets for ENV scooters !! I tell ya, the revolution...... its coming.........

[mike-s]

Hmm, perhaps that was just the specific set of spots i was always trying to squeeze into (little hunter street).

[Greengrin]

Why not take a lead from Melbourne CBD where motorcycles are allowed to park in certain footpaths. .......now Martin Place is quite wide isn't it!

[Birdman]

i have always found parking in the cbd free, bit hard for them to issue a parking fine when i take the my plate and rego label with me