New stands to make life easier for thousands of bikers (22/10/2007)

New motorbike stands could make life easier for tens of thousands of riders and cut crime in a central London black spot.

Super strength U-shaped Sheffield Stands will be installed in the West End over the next three weeks. The area is part of the central London congestion charging zone, used by 28,000 motorbikes, scooters and mopeds each day.

Forty five stands will be installed in nine streets mainly in Covent Garden area in a trial to cut motorbike crime in the West End, which saw 16% of all such crime in Westminster in 2005/06.

The area’s motorbike parking is 150% over-subscribed and sorely in need of improvements, according to Westminster City Council analysis. During consultation, lobby groups including the Greater London Motorcycle Action Group called for more spaces and better security.

If the trial is successful the authority plans to introduce stands to other priority areas in Westminster.

Most motorbike parking bays will also be reserved exclusively for riders, rather than as part-time bays as they are now, and new signs will make bays more obvious to riders.

An all-day parking fee, likely to be less than a cup of coffee, will be introduced at a later date to cover improvement costs. Once costs have been met, any excess will be ploughed into further transport and environment improvements.

Cabinet Member for Transport Cllr Danny Chalkley said: "Bikers are crying out for better parking in central London. Security is a problem, but if riders can get quick access to a secure space, it is bound to be reduced."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Streets getting Sheffield stands starting next week will be Glasshouse Street, Oxendon Street, Suffolk Place, Chandos Place, Great Newport Street, Upper Saint Martin's Lane, Drury Lane, Carey Street and Milford Lane.