5.3.1 Motorcycle use is characterised both by its flexibility and seasonality, so demand for parking and the most appropriate means of meeting that demand can be difficult to assess.

5.3.2 As noted in TAL 2/02, few authorities base motorcycle parking decisions on specific data for motorcycle movements. Although this may be available from classified traffic counts or origin and destination surveys there is unlikely to be a large body of data to work from.

Traffic accumulation surveys based on existing traffic counts depend on the ability of automatic traffic counters to discriminate motorcycles, whilst the results from occasional manual counts may be sensitive to random variations given the relatively low volume of motorcycles in many areas.

5.3.3 Unsolicited user requests and opportunistic inclusion in other traffic schemes or development works seem to be the most common method of provision. Some authorities and other organisations have taken a more pro-active approach by seeking users’ suggestions, often through a motorcycle forum (see Chapter 2).

Understanding the nature of motorcycle use in an area is essential to making good use of parking resources.

5.3.4 Indications of the potential for and dynamics of motorcycle parking demand can be taken from national data contained in the DfT’s Compendium of Motorcycle Statistics (DfT 2004):

5.3.5 Locations at and around educational establishments and workplaces, within or surrounding shopping and entertainment/leisure areas, at transport interchanges, or within residential areas lacking private parking opportunities will therefore be in demand.

5.3.6 As with general growth in leisure use among all modes, leisure use by motorcyclists often involves attending evening or weekend events - often motorcycling-related. Some locations, especially if leisure use is the main attractor, will therefore experience high demand for parking at weekends.

Other locations will experience high demand during general business hours, but may see far lower demand for evening leisure and shift work.

5.3.7 Look out for clear signals of under-supply: illegal or inappropriate parking, machines secured to street furniture, unauthorised use of cycle parking, overflow at motorcycle parking bays, obstruction to traffic, and complaints from residents,businesses or riders. It will be important to survey a wide range oflocations and at appropriate times to get a meaningful picture.