Potential Melbourne CBD motorcycle footpath parking ban` revs up bikers

MOTORCYCLISTS are pushing back against any move to ban footpath parking in Melbourne’s CBD, saying motorcycle and scooter use should be encouraged to ease inner-city congestion.

MOTORCYCLISTS are pushing back against any move to ban footpath parking in Melbourne’s CBD.

The council’s transport discussion paper said the rise in pedestrians was an issue for already crowded pavements and motorbikes may have to make way.

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Motorcycles are banned in some parts of Melbourne’s CBD already. Picture: Chris Eastman

Victoria is the only state in Australia to permit motorcycle footpath parking.

The transport strategy paper discusses the removal of motorbikes and scooters from the footpaths of central Melbourne, and providing allocated parking instead.

But Victorian Motorcycle Council spokesman John Eacott said Town Hall should be encouraging motorcycle and scooter use to ease inner-city congestion.

The space taken up by various forms of transport (per person). Image: City of Melbourne

Motorcycles parked on Lt Collins St in Melbourne's CBD.

“A 10 per cent switch from cars to powered two-wheelers results in a 40 per cent reduction in congestion,’’ Mr Eacott said.

Permitting motorcycle parking on the footpath was a state law, he said, and any rider who incorrectly parked a bike should be fined.

“If they are causing an obstruction, they can be issued with an infringement notice,’’ Mr Eacott said.

More than 300 on-road spaces for motorcycles are provided in central Melbourne. Footpath bans already exist on parts of Collins and Exhibition streets and Flinders Lane.

Motorcycles and scooters lined up on Collins St in Melbourne's CBD.

City Spaces report author Jonathan Daly said motorcycle parking was just one use of the footpath space that was being considered.

“But it makes sense to ask the question of what’s the priority — a pedestrian or parking for a motorcycle?’’

Nine out of 10 trips in the CBD were now on foot, he said.

@melbcitycouncil tried to get rid of motorcycle footpath parking in 1999 and failed. It’s a state law that they have no control over. Thousands of bikes park on footpaths in Melbourne every day. That’s a lot to upset.

— John Karmouche (@JKarmouche) June 21, 2018

#obikes were labelled ‘clutter’ by public figures, mistreated by vandals, and hounded from #Melbourne by the threat of big fines. Yet there’s a truly insidious form of clutter being encouraged onto our footpaths by legally unenforceable parking guidelines, and no one cares. pic.twitter.com/L90nZ1jkje

— Michael Bell (@Xtrackka) June 12, 2018

@victoriawalks @cityofmelbourne Lonsdale Street nr Drewery Lane outside Domino’s. The footpath is hardly wide enough for pedestrians and bus stop patrons. Double parked motorcycles too? pic.twitter.com/yiddZK300x

— marg 🌈 (@MardaMarg) May 13, 2018

Mr Daly, who is a director at UB Lab urban designers, said motorcycles could easily be moved to the kerbside for parking. He said motorbike footpath parking was introduced in Victoria in the 1980s.

“There was a lot more space then,’’ Mr Daly said.

“It’s a privilege to park on the footpath and I don’t know any other city in the world that allows it.’

Creating an obstruction on a footpath in the City of Melbourne risks a $91 fine, while stopping in a “no motorcycle parking zone” is a $159 offence.

A Melbourne council spokeswoman said the city was committed to promoting motorcycling as an “energy-efficient, space-saving and sustainable mode of transport”.

“As traffic congestion worsens and the population grows from 916,000 daily visitors in in 2016 to 1.4 million in 2036, it is expected that motorcycle ridership will increase,” the spokeswoman said.

“We are also seeing huge increases in pedestrian foot traffic in the central city. In the future we will need to allocate more space on and off the street to provide for motorbike parking and ensure our footpaths remain accessible.”

Motorcyclists protested against footpath bans in Acland St, St Kilda in 2016. Picture: David Crosling

Surveys conducted in 2015 found that about one in nine motorcycles was not parked in accordance with the footpath parking guidelines, she said.

Port Phillip Council stopped motorbikes parking on footpaths in parts of St Kilda after a one-year trial. The council modified the restrictions after feedback from the motorcycle community.

Acting Mayor Dick Gross described the changes as a “resounding success’’.

“We are no longer receiving complaints as pedestrians, including children and the visually impaired, are now able to move easily along the footpaths in these areas,’’ Cr Gross said.

The limits apply to areas including outside the entrance to Luna Park, along the Esplanade and Acland St outside the Vineyard bar.

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@IanRoyall