Sunday, July 20, 2008
Scooter commuters to be charged for central-London parking
Scooter riders and motorcyclists in London are pissed off. Westminster Council has announced that from August it will start charging for parking in bike bays in the capital (£1.50 per day or £150 annually). I’m more than happy to pay. We’re exempt from the congestion charge and given the cost of parking a car in the capital should rightly be making a contribution.
The number of bikers commuting and parking in central London rose dramatically after congestion charging was introduced, and again after the 7/7 terrorist attacks. Westminster Council responded, albeit slowly, by increasing the number of bays but up until now hasn’t levied any charges.
I reckon that the annual cost of running a 125cc scooter to travel daily from Zone 6 to the West End is around £1,1 00 (including fuel, insurance, maintenance, tax and now parking). Even allowing for depreciation over a three- or five-year period it’s considerably less expensive, not to mention more pleasant and quicker, than traveling by tube. Permalink |
Scooter riders and motorcyclists in London are pissed off. Westminster Council has announced that from August it will start charging for parking in bike bays in the capital (£1.50 per day or £150 annually). I’m more than happy to pay. We’re exempt from the congestion charge and given the cost of parking a car in the capital should rightly be making a contribution.The number of bikers commuting and parking in central London rose dramatically after congestion charging was introduced, and again after the 7/7 terrorist attacks. Westminster Council responded, albeit slowly, by increasing the number of bays but up until now hasn’t levied any charges.
I reckon that the annual cost of running a 125cc scooter to travel daily from Zone 6 to the West End is around £1,1 00 (including fuel, insurance, maintenance, tax and now parking). Even allowing for depreciation over a three- or five-year period it’s considerably less expensive, not to mention more pleasant and quicker, than traveling by tube. Permalink |
Comments:
I've been researching buying a little scooter, have you got one?! If I get some Rainier decals for it you'll subsidise me right? Seems like a better deal than £900 p.a on a travelcard.
like this please - http://2strokebuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/Vespa-GTV250Navy_01.jpg
:)
like this please - http://2strokebuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/Vespa-GTV250Navy_01.jpg
:)
There seem to be some near-freakish personal transport devices in the capital these days. I keep seeing those giant push/engine combi scooters.
The main problem with all options though is armpits. Cycle = sweat, so it depends on your journey and route. Other pedalled/pushed options are clammy too. Scooters = hot under protective clothing.
As for the tube - someone else's sweat, and lots of it. It seems to get worse each summer. Do we need Oyster surcharges for people who don't shower before commuting in the mornings? Swipe and sniff at the station gates?
The main problem with all options though is armpits. Cycle = sweat, so it depends on your journey and route. Other pedalled/pushed options are clammy too. Scooters = hot under protective clothing.
As for the tube - someone else's sweat, and lots of it. It seems to get worse each summer. Do we need Oyster surcharges for people who don't shower before commuting in the mornings? Swipe and sniff at the station gates?
Been thinking of buying scooter for ages now, just need to put it into action. But not sure about paying for parking tho, as there aren't many parking spaces in London these days.
After all this talking about environment, recycling, congestion etc. why do I have to pay for parking my bike in Westminster? I have my business here, I pay a huge council tax bill, I shop, I go to restaurants and pubs. Why should I pay for parking my bike? I am sure that it's a way to squeeze money our pockets. Just a remind: when they introduced the congestion charge they said that the money raised would have been used to create cycle paths, more bus routes etc. Did anyone notice any development in that way? Same for parking the bike only to get your money, disguised as good cause. Maybe one day you will have to pay for walking on the pavement, or using a pram. I am disgusted by our politicians who always preach good actions but infact do not work for the better of the society.
Do consider the case of being a Westminster resident. For parking a car on anywhere on the street the yearly charge is £105. Now the yearly charge for your scooter which uses 1/8th the space is £150!! And that is in selected bays that are often distant from where you actually live.
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