Motorcycle parking in London - rant

tgabber · Crazy Courier Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

Had to go into the City (of London) for a mid-morning meeting today. Decided to take the bike. Nice quick journey but parking???

I must have spent 15 minutes at least driving around all the motorcycle bays I could find with not a gap to be seen. Pavement parking with the current security situation is a definite no-no in the City.

Eventually I headed for Finsbury Circus where I know there are (comparitively) a lot of motorcycle bays. There I saw the ludicrous situation that there were absolutely loads of Pay & Display car spaces free (I'd say at least 75%) charged at £1 for 15 minutes but all the bike bays were chocker.

Eventually after slowly rounding the circus several times, I spotted a rider just leaving and was able to pull into his space (we even gave each other a nod).

I know the problem has grown recently with bikes (and peds!) being exempt from the congestion charge and also getting free parking but something has to be done. I for one wouldn't object to a reasonable parking charge if it meant that there was an adequate allocation of space.

As it is, unless you have access to private parking, you need to add a good 30 minutes to your journey estimate just to find a space. Also what bays there are, are now so crowded that parking carries a significant risk of your bike being blocked in or damaged.

Grrrrr! Evil or Very Mad

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Rhino · Scooby Slapper Joined: 20 Feb 2004 Karma :

I know what you mean, when I had the NSR I had to park in public spaces near work and it used to get bikes/ mopeds parked beside/ into it on a regular basis. All this after circling round Victoria for 15 mins trying to find a space you KNOW you can fit in without putting other peoples machines out. Now I'm in an office with private compound parking, the CBR is afforded the luxury of a little space.

Bikay · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Karma :

I agree there is very little parking in the city. Went to London South bank University this morning and managed to grab the last space. Its getting a problem since the students are all back and everyone is back from holidays.
At least at work I have underground parking and a security guy. I don't even chain the bike up.
I'm going into London village again tomorrow. If I have to park on the pavement I will but I have my bike cover which can't be removed once my two chains are in place. Means no nosy parking warden can see the plate or tax disc. Should stop me getting a ticket. Very Happy

Unless they clamp me..... Crying or Very sad

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headlamp · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Karma :

It's a nightmare! Just come back from the West End. I went on the tube as I know that you cannot park anywhere in Soho or around Oxford Street after 10.00am!

Transport for London are aware of the problem, and have advised the local councils, Westminster, Kensington and Camden to do something about it. However they reluctant as it means using up metered car parking space and there are no revenue earning opportunities for bikes. Also City of London last year tried to get rid of 500 bike spaces but after 'consultation' decided against it. There are hundreds of places in the West End where bikes could park safely, without obstructing through traffic, which would make life for scooters and bikes a lot easier. I think these councils are actually anti-bike, on noise pollution and pedestrian menace grounds as if they weren't they would have introduced new bays and relaxed bye-laws years ago!
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Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

I know how you all feel, there just aren’t enough bike parking bays in London.

Your absolutely right about Finsbury Circus, the situation there is ludicrous. There are so many pay and display bays standing empty every single day.
But should you dare to park your bike there and you'll get a parking ticket quicker than you can say 'shit I’ve got a ticket'.

Tip for next time tgabber, there is an NCP underground carpark just round the comer from Finsbury Circus. It's free for bikes, but is also often busy.

Here is a very useful map of all the bike bays in the Congestion charge zone.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/congestion/bike_park.html

tintin · Traffic Copper Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Karma :

It would help if the bloody scooter riders knew how to park...how much room do they need, how many times have I had to play 'scooter shuffle'!

I have to be in town by 8:45 to be sure of a space in Camden, mind you this bay ids excellent it has a big metal bar running along the back so you can chain your bike up, fantastic Very Happy

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swaffs · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

I work in St James, forunately I have underground pakring (as I work for Transport for London!!! only for IT so cannot really make any noise about parking, although will pop up and see what I can find out. Maybe Fatty on here may know some people.)
I have seen the state of the parking for bikes and I can only imagine scouring the streets for somewhere to park and I wouldn't like to put my CBR in amongst some of those other bikes squeezed up peg to peg, it surprising there not all scratched up etc.

katana · Trackday Trickster Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Karma :

For London bike bays try www.motorbikebays.co.uk or com I cant remeber which but type in a post code and gives you the location of a nearby bay.

Swaffs you have lots of bike baysthat westminster installed with ground anchors and outside st james tube. Yet you still underground car park.

Thats cheating but I understand why. Which det are you at tfl. Just wondering as I have friends who work there.