Motorcycle footpath ban looms as Lord Mayor flags possible parking change

Melbourne’s motorcycle-friendly parking rules might be about to change if they are booted from footpaths — and it would mean fewer car spaces in the CBD.

Motorcycles parked on footpaths in Melbourne's CBD.

THE prospect of motorcycles and scooters being banned from footpath parking in Melbourne’s CBD moved a step closer as Lord Mayor Sally Capp flagged car spaces could be converted for multiple motorbike bays.

Cr Capp said the city’s crowded footpaths were struggling to cope with high pedestrian volumes and that motorbikes might have to be removed from the pavement.

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Some footpaths in Melbourne already have bike bans. Picture: Chris Eastman

“Eighty-nine per cent of journeys in the CBD are done by foot,’’ Cr Capp said. “One of the ideas put forward … is that we provide more spaces for motorcycles to park, then they may choose to park there instead.

“The feedback we’ve got from the public is that we need to balance the ways we are using our footpaths and to address the different ways people are coming into our city,’’ Cr Capp told 3AW.

Moves to ban motorcycles in Acland St, St Kilda, sparked a rider protest. Picture: David Crosling

About 1300 motorcycle and scooter riders come into the city each day but there are only 280 designated parking bays are available.

The change has been proposed under the council’s revised transport strategy, the draft of which is expected in the next month or so.

But the proposed switch has angered the Victorian Motorcycle Council, which said bikes were not the issue.

“Motorcycles are the solution to congestion not the problem,’’ VMC spokesman John Eacott said.

Mr Eacott said the Town Hall’s Motorcycles In Melbourne Committee had backed pavement parking for years.

Victoria is the only state where powered two-wheeled vehicles can park on footpaths as long as they do not obstruct access.

Signs banning motorcycle parking have appeared at Federation Square. Picture: Supplied

The latest row comes as new signs banning motorbike parking have already popped up near Federation Square.

Motorcycle Riders Association spokesman Damien Codognotto said he was disappointed to see another motorcycle and scooter ban on Melbourne’s commuters and visitors.

“What is the point of having advisory committees if they are by bypassed from the very people who should be seeking their advice?’’

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