C-Charge Means Bikers Must Now Pay To Park

New £1.50 charge to park a bike as C-Charge forces more people on to two-wheels

By Oli S / Tuesday, 5 August 2008 / Loading comments

Motorcyclists will now have to pay to park in London's West End under new regulations, it has been reported. Hundreds more motorbike parking bays have just been introduced but bikers will have to pay £1.50 a day to use them.

Westminster Council said that there has been a huge surge in motorbike use since the Congestion Charge was introduced and with it a need for more parking. A number of extra security stands have been introduced to prevent thefts and new measures have been put in place to stop cars parking in bike bays.

Many bikers had campaigned against the changes but Jeff Stone, of the British Motorcyclists Federation, said they were still getting a good deal. 'The general feeling seems to be, if we are getting more opportunity for parking spaces, then we don't mind paying for a spot. Ideally we wouldn't like charges but on balance we don't pay the congestion charge and they are cheaper to run, so it's still not a bad deal.'

It will be cheaper if bikers pay for the whole season and they can also pay using a phone system to make it easier. Surplus revenue will be put into other transport projects around the borough, said the council.