5.2 Context
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5.2.1 Parking provision is an important tool in local transport policies as well as traffic management and crime reduction. It is also a fundamental requirement for any motorcycle user.
Motorcycle parking can be provided on-street or off-street, in surface parking or multi-storey parking, by commercial site operators, local authorities, employers, retailers and colleges.
Demand
5.2.2 The Department for Transport’s (DfT) Compendium of Motorcycle Statistics shows that over the ten years since 1994, the total distance travelled by motorcycles grew 47% to 5.6 billion kilometres, while the number of motorcycles in use grew 57% to reach 1.52 million in 2003 - this represents around 5% of all motor vehicles (DfT 2004).
5.2.3 As motorcycling continues to grow, demand for parking has outstripped supply in many cases, especially during peak periods. A recent study of the London Congestion Charging area for Transport for London (TfL) found motorcycle on-street parking occupancy to be 33% over-capacity (Tilly 2004).
Crime reduction
5.2.4 Motorcycles are generally attractive to thieves because of their relatively low-weight and high-value.
Motorcycle theft is often opportunistic and takes place in public places.
Theft rates are generally highest in urban areas; police forces covering large urban areas record around three times the rate of theft (per thousand motorcycles) found in more rural areas.The City of London and Metropolitan police force areas have the two highest rates of motorcycle theft in England and Wales (Braun 2003). It is worth noting that just 7% of on-street parking in the TfL survey was equipped with anchor points (Tilly 2004).
5.2.5 Motorcycle theft is a continuing concern for riders, police, parking providers and insurers. Examples of constructive action include;“Lock It or Lose It” security awareness campaigning,“Sold Secure” and “Thatcham”product testing and rating standards, and the “Park Mark: Safer Parking Award” for operators aiming to protect customers and vehicles.The “Park Mark™” sign may be used on traffic signs but DfT authorisation is required.
5.2.6 An estimated 37,000 machines were reported stolen in 2000. The highest levels of theft are seen among the most popular machines.Mopeds and small motorcycles (typically 125cc learner machines) suffer theft rates around 50 per thousand registered, with 600cc and 1,000cc machines recording rates in excess of 10 per thousand (Braun 2003)
Policy background
5.2.7 Prior to the development of Local Transport Plan (LTP) guidance, there was little national recognition of the need to provide for motorcycle users - other than the general requirement under the Road Traffic Acts to provide a safe and efficient highway network for all road users.
The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 was amended in 2000 to extend local authority powers to provide devices for securing motorcycles and the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD), revised in 2002, provide specific signs and markings for bays.
Details are contained in the Traffic Advisory Leaflet TAL 2/02 Motorcycle Parking (DfT 2002).
5.2.8 The policy impetus for motorcycle parking provision is clearly stated in DfT guidance on LTPs and, following the recommendations of the Government Advisory Group on Motorcycling, through the development of a National Motorcycle Strategy (AGoM 2004).
5.2.9 PPG13: Transport advises local authorities to consider appropriate provision for motorcycle parking, with additional specific consideration of providing attractive motorcycle parking at Park and Ride sites (DTLR 1994). How many parking opportunities should be available, where to locate them, the level of security to build-in, how to deal with accessibility issues and funding, will obviously vary from case-to-case. |
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