Latest on Bike Parking Charges Battle

This is important to all of us, as once it gets a foothold in London, expect it to spread to Bristol, Manchester etc.

I received the following information from Mag Central today.

------------------------------paste------------------------------


There have been some important developments in the campaign against on-street bike parking charges and the spread of new charging technology that threatens to mark an end to free bike parking across the UK. You can make a difference to the final outcome of the campaign if you act this month:

The High Court in London will hear the case against Westminster City Council, brought by the "NoToBikeParkingTax" campaign. The court case received a boost recently when the elected Councilor who spearheaded the bike charging scheme lost his job in charge of parking at Westminster City Council. This display of elected politicians turning on their own when things go bad will do nothing to convince the High Court that the scheme is based on the public good. With that in mind, "NoTo" have taken legal advice and been assured that a large presence of bikes outside the Court in The Strand will help to demonstrate that the charges were brought in defiance of the public interest. Be there if you can for 9 o'clock on the morning of Thursday 24th June (further details http://www.notobikeparkingtax.com).

On the Saturday before the hearing, "NoTo" are organising a slow lap of the M25 to draw public attention to the campaign. This could well be one of the most TV-friendly stunts yet and will set the scene for the final stages of the campaign. The run starts from the Ace Cafe on Londons North Circular Road at Noon on 19th June (further details http://www.notobikeparkingtax.com).

"NoTo" are also asking for final contributions to the legal expenses fighting fund, more than £30,000 has been raised by riders and bike-businesses, but Court hearings are expensive and there is still a shortfall. MAG is making its own contribution to the fighting fund and urges individual riders to dig-deep and help roll-back the tide of stealth tax and additional charges for public services (further details http://www.notobikeparkingtax.com).

Finally, at a meeting with the new minister in charge of Britains roads yesterday, MAG had it confirmed that central government will not take control of local parking so every bike parking battle will have to be fought individually. We must make sure the "NoToBikeParkingTax" campaign wins its case this month, to demonstrate that the motorcycle community is capable of defending the principle of free and plentiful bike parking everywhere.

------------------------------paste------------------------------

Mag is fighting for your motorcycling rights

Les.