The impasse between Hackney Borough Council and motorcycle campaigners rumbles on, with the Council refusing to answer what it terms as “vexatious” questions from local bikers at a Town Hall meeting, before ejecting them from the building.
The situation stems from Hackney’s decision to impose hefty charges for parking bikes in the borough, with seemingly little concern for the impact on local residents and workers. The charges – which are the same as for a car – were outlined in a hugely complex consultation document seemingly prepared by people with zero knowledge about motorcycling. The document contained a massive focus on ‘diesel powered two-wheelers’, with a separate charging scheme, despite there being no such production vehicles on sale in the UK. The scheme offers no free parking for even electric bikes, and according to campaigners, Save London Motorcycling, the costs are huge: up to £6 an hour, with annual permits costing up to £1800 for business users.
Bikers attended a Council meeting at the end of September with their mouths taped shut to highlight Hackney’s failure to listen to their complaints. Outside, protestors parked their bikes in as many parking spots as possible, taking up the space they’re paying a car rate for. A Save London Motorcycling spokesperson told BDN, “The Council said the fact that a large number of motorcyclists wanted to ask questions about its motorcycle parking plans was “vexatious”, rather than recognising it as the tip of the iceberg for the thousands who are deeply concerned about their chaotic and dangerous policy, initially espoused by now departed Hackney Labour councillors in an evidence vacuum. They also refused to answer on the basis that other questions about motorcycle parking had been asked ‘within six months’.”
Conservative opposition Councillor Simche Steinberger said, “The fact that they have submitted questions and had them not accepted shows the lack of democratic process under this Labour regime. I’m not surprised because it’s not the first time I’ve seen this. It looks like this is the only way for the Council to push on with these unacceptable new parking charges for motorbikes.”
Support Save London Motorcycling if you can: they’re on platform X, formerly known as Twitter, at @SaveLondonMC.