Demonstrators are gearing up for the latest in a succession of protests targeted at Westminster City Council that have seen Central London filled with motorbikes and scooters every month for over a year.
The No To Bike Parking Tax Campaign is to bring thousands of motorcyclists to the heart of London, many in costumes, in the continuation of protests against Westminster’
Over a year after the ‘experimental’
Campaigners maintain that this is due to a fear of legal action should the charges be made permanent, and the huge amount of formal objections and freedom of information requests made to the parking department in recent months.
Warren Djanogly, Chairman of the campaign, said today:
“Yet again bikers are standing up for themselves in a way which other Londoners have yet to do. Commuters on public transport with their tube and bus fares being hiked up, car drivers facing the prospect of paying by the mile, and only motorcyclists taking the necessary steps to protect their freedoms - and their wallets - from these intrusive and punitive charges which are making London an increasingly difficult place to live.”
Charlie Lort-Phillips, Spokesman for the Campaign, said today:
“Motorcyclists and scooterists will not back down on this issue. Chalkley has chosen to ignore thousands of objectors both on the street and on paper, fellow councillors have belittled the democratic process, and have condescended from on high as though the views of the public mean nothing to them until the elections. It is high time they realised that fleecing those who have made an effort to keep London moving is a hugely detrimental and ill-thought through step.”
The Motorcycle Action Group, which WCC claimed to have consulted originally, fully backed the campaign, saying:
“"Motorcycles are not a cash-cow for local councils to exploit. MAG members have been adding their weight to the 3,000 strong demos that have been taking place all summer; we will continue to do so all next year if needed."
"Motorcycles and Scooters are a unique form of transport, offering flexible mobility to all sections of society. They are part of the solution to London's traffic problems, the sooner Westminster City Council wake up and acknowledge that the better" said Nich Brown, urging all riders to support the No To Bike Parking Tax campaign by joining the next mass-protest ride.
Riders will leave the ACE CAFÉ at 11, and assemble in PARK LANE UNDERGROUND CAR PARK, leaving at midday – a more detailed route can be found at www.notobikeparkingtax.com
NOTES TO EDITORS:
USABLE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PREVIOUS DEMONSTRATIONS CAN BE FOUND HERE:
http://www.flickr.com/
VIDEOS OF THE PREVIOUS DEMONSTRATIONS CAN BE FOUND HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/
For further information on the campaign, quotes or photos, please contact Warren Djanogly, campaign chair, at:
chairman@notobikeparkingfees.com
Mobile: 07802 882 681
or Charlie Lort-Phillips (Press Spokesman) on:
07813 138 517
charlie@notobikeparkingfees.com / charlielp@mac.com
The No To Bike Parking Fees protest group is the leading voice challenging the charges, and has enlisted the support of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, the Drivers’ Alliance, The British Motorcycle Federation, the Motorcycle Action Group, and thousands of bikers across the UK. Further information about the campaign can be found at www.notobikeparkingfees.com.
1) Westminster City Council’s scheme involves a parking charge of £1 a day for every motorbike or scooter. To buy an annual parking pass now costs a minimum of £100. Since its introduction in August 2008, the parking tax has raised over £4million.
2) In the Conservative Party’s key document on economic policy, “Reconstruction:
3) In a letter in March to a supporter of the campaign, Robert Goodwill, Conservative MP for Scarborough and Whitby and Shadow Transport Minister for Roads, said ““Please note that this is not a policy set by the Conservative Party nationally but a local policy decided by Westminster councillors. I hope that this will not be replicated widely".
4) In response to question 446/2009, Mayor Boris Johnson said about the parking tax: “I am keen to encourage the use of motorcycles in London, as evidenced by my recent announcement to allow motorcycles in bus lanes on the TLRN. I will ask TfL to discuss with Westminster as to whether the introduction of this payment has led to a reduction in the number of people using motorcycles in central London.”
Further quotes:
“To my mind, your notice (of future demonstrations)
“Chalkley’
“Please note that this is not a policy set by the Conservative Party nationally but a local policy decided by Westminster councillors. I hope that this will not be replicated widely". Robert Goodwill MP, Shadow Roads Minister
“I am keen to encourage the use of motorcycles in London, as evidenced by my recent announcement to allow motorcycles in bus lanes on the TLRN. I will ask TfL to discuss with Westminster as to whether the introduction of this payment has led to a reduction in the number of people using motorcycles in central London.” Mayor Boris Johnson in response to Question 446/2009
“When it comes to guidance on local policy, residents have that opportunity every four years” Cllr Angella Hooper, March 31st Scrutiny Committee Meeting.
