Boost for bikers in Broxtowe with room for more in council car parks
Pressure from key figures in the motorcycle community is paying off for bikers in Ashfield and Broxtowe after room for almost 60 bikes has been added to council car parks a year after a damning national report.
Research found that in July last year, only 4,241 of the UK’s 1,046,437 total parking spaces in council car parks – 0.41 per cent – were dedicated to motorcycles.
But after pressure from bodies like Bikesure, the UK’s largest motorcycle broker, and the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), Nottinghamshire has seen the biggest growth in the country for dedicated bike spaces.
Nationally, the average dedicated motorcycle space is thought to accommodate three motorbikes.
Broxtowe Council has created one extra space at each of its car parks at Scargill Walk, Eastwood, Station Road, Beeston and Eatons Road and Halls Road in Stapleford.
Meanwhile, in Ashfield, three extra spaces have been added to the council car parks at Fox Street, New Street and Lammas Leisure Centre in Sutton and two each at Robin Hood Line, Sutton, Ellis Street, Kirkby and Hucknall Leisure Centre.
Rob Balls, Bikesure general manager, said: “We called on local authorities to recognise the scale of the problem and address the imbalance.
"While the numbers still don’t add up and bikers deserve better, we’ve got to focus on the positives.
“Change takes time and this is a step in the right direction.
"We hope bikers in some of these areas, or those visiting, feel happier knowing they have extra spaces in council car parks that are dedicated to them.
“As specialists who speak to thousands of riders every week, we regularly hear concerns about parking availability and consistency.
"We know there needs to be more spaces for cars than bikes but we will keep banging this drum until riders are given the same consideration and consistency as car drivers when it comes to parking.
“It’s not just about getting more spaces either.
"We’re talking clearer rules, fairer charges and safer, designated areas because bikers should feel respected and recognised.”