5.4 Motorcycle Rider Parking Behaviour and Requirements
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5.4.1 In terms of convenience, flexibility and security considerations, motorcycles are often more like bicycles than cars.
Consequently, the behaviour and requirements of motorcyclists often follow the cycle parking model with motorcyclists looking for similar features.
Motorcycle riders will look for obvious parking opportunities close to their destination, choosing convenient places, ideally where they can secure their machine to something immovable, or where they can see or stay close to their machine or at the very least where it is likely to receive maximum casual observation so the risk of theft can be minimised. A distance of 20 metres is desirable and facilities more than 50 metres from the destination will compete with unofficial opportunities closer to hand.
5.4.2 Covered off-street parking is desirable.This offers protection from the elements and other causes of inconvenience or damage to parked motorcycles - tree debris, sap and bird waste.
Many motorcycles do not have large load spaces that can be secured, so riders value the provision of secure places to stow cumbersome and expensive riding equipment such as protective helmets and clothing. Riders have less opportunity to carry food or drink so access to litter bins and vending machines is also worth considering.
5.4.3 Clearly-signed, convenient and secure parking reduces the attraction of informal parking. On the other hand inadequate provision will lead to exploitation of inappropriate opportunities which may result in motorcycles causing a genuine obstruction or hazard to others.Marginal areas, especially those already utilised by riders, can be formalised using relatively low-cost measures to protect parked machines and other road users.
5.4.4 Motorcycle parking within multi-storey car parks is best provided as a dedicated area within sight of attendants ideally on the ground floor at or near the entrance/exit in order to avoid using the ramps and circulation areas.
5.4.5 Good practice in motorcycle parking can be summarised as “Near and Clear, Secure and Safe to use”:
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Near: Motorcycle users will naturally look for parking opportunities close to their destination, simply because the relatively small size and high flexibility of the motorcycle allows easy progress through traffic and exploitation of marginal parking opportunities without causing obstruction. |
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Clear: Any difficulty in finding a suitable formal parking area will tend to reduce the advantages of motorcycle use. Signing from main routes and on-site is important so riders can find formal facilities. TAL 2/02 explains the provisions for making orders and for signing. |
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Secure: Physical security measures will be a strong attractor for most riders needing to park for more than a few minutes. Casual users, motorcycle tourists and others unfamiliar with the area are likely to find the prospect of secure parking very attractive. |
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Safe to use: Personal safety considerations when using a parking area start with the surface on which the machine has to be manoeuvred and mounted/dismounted, as well as seclusion, lighting, CCTV coverage and the amount of passing pedestrian traffic. |
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