NEXT GATHERING: 17TH MARCH 2010, WEDNESDAY MORNING BREAKFAST CLUB “THE WMBC”.
Multimedia from previous demonstrations
Demand for a public inquiry report:
Watch a classic video from one of the demos!
R.AT.S Group formed, watch their first protest
Enquiries into PIP activities have uncovered a string of violations of EU Law on procurement, with the most salient violation being the encouragement of other local authorities to take advantage of the same pay-by-phone scheme without a tender process by merely joining the PIP consortium. As PIP was originally funded using UK Taxpayer money from the Department of Communities & Local Government (DCLG).
Whilst all other road-users are reeling from the news of the prospect of being charged by the “mile-travelled”, and with petrol prices poise to rise again, neither of these being challenged by any credible organised group of citizen protest, DON’T MISS OUT ON BEING PRESENT AT THIS MOST POIGNANT DISPLAY OF DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS BEING EXERCISED BY YOUR FELLOW RIDERS ON BEHALF OF THE WHOLE UK-WIDE MOTORCYCLE & SCOOTER COMMUNITY.
More details: What about “Seizing the Initiative”?
As Westminster City Council’s unprecedented delayed decision regarding the permanence of the Motorcycle Parking Tax Scheme (MPTS) continues, thereby delaying our high Court challenge, we are seizing the initiative of demanding a Public Inquiry into both the set-up, and running of Partnerships-In-Parking (PIP).
One can only make an educated guess as to Mr Alastair Gilchrist ’s motives (Read article Danny and his mate Gilchrist). Described by a WCC Councillor as a “one-man selling machine for Verrus”, his plan was simple: ensnare as many road-users as victims, and offer other local authorities to follow suit, incentivised by greater revenues and a “tender-process” circumvention i.e. join PIP and simply sign up Verrus!
Well, that was the plan, and with his puppet Councillor Danny Chalkley, ready to sign where required, and the oh-so-easily-coerced Built Environment Scrutiny Committee so eager to lap up his silver-tongue phoney justifications, he may well have got away with it were it not for his greed into trying ensnare bikers and scooterists.
He certainly did not countenance the community spirit that pervades all motorcycle/scooter riders, and that, unlike car-drivers, we don’t take unjust legislation lying down. And, whilst Head of Legal at WCC, Peter Large, may challenge our ability to do anything about the misdemeanour’s as individuals, he can’t stop us from putting our findings in front of those who can.
Photos from past demos
Shame no one was selling teh hi viz vest at the rally today
Very effective demonsatration today, must have been good. Plenty of visual evidence of “driver rage”!
The clandestine method of texting the venue worked well and surely has to be the way forward.
Big applause to the organisers!!!
I was there, but late… Caught the last few bikes leaving Traf Square then headed towards Millbank Towers.
I came in from Grays (near Lakeside shopping centre) as I don’t work in London, but am 110% behind the cause. Any chance of getting more notice next time??? For us out-of-towners. An extra 30 mins would be great, but I understand the art of surprise is everything.
Well done all the organisers and people who turned up… See you all next time…
Good luck guys,I was with you in spirit.
I am all for any demo which tries to take away any of our rights to use two wheels anywhere.I see this as the thin end of the wedge with more anti bike legislation around the corner.
See you guys around.
NICE ONE,
Well done guys and girls for the demo just gone. have been on previous demo’s but couldnt make this one. Please keep it up, causing the traffic to pile up must be the way forward, this is just an example of how cars cause congestion. We are being taxed like the congestion causers so may aswell demonstrate to the public how much more congestion would be added to the roads if we all gave our bikes up and got in the car. Bring on the next demo, weekend please
The ride out demonstration was brilliant! We need more of these flash demos. The SMS text message notifications is an excellent idea. I hope the SMS system is used on future protests. I’m sure Westminster City Council, Verrus and NSL Services will approve as they love text messages (or is that only when they make money from it?).
Motorcycles, mopeds and scooters are the answer to London’s congestion problems as they don’t cause congestion (bikes can filter through traffic jams), which is why they are exempt from the Congestion Charge and motorcycle parking has always been provided free of charge. By charging bikes to park in motorcycle bays in the City of Westminster (CoW), their use is being discouraged which means more commuters and residents will have to either drive their cars into Westminster or use buses and trains which are already over crowded. If every motorcyclist that usually parks in Westminster’s motorcycle bays took a bus or used London Underground there would be even more overcrowding.
I would really like to know what the Conservative Party think about motorbikes as on one hand the Mayor of London Boris Johnson has allowed bikes in TfL red route bus lanes but then on the other hand you’ve got Cllr Danny Chalkley and Westminster City Council (WCC) stealth taxing bikers. What is the Tory policy on Powered Two Wheelers (PTW)?
Another thing that really worries me is Camden Council planning to charge for motorcycle parking bays in the London Borough of Camden. This needs to be stopped before it starts, if you know what I mean. Camden is looking to introduce Pay by Phone parking (cashless parking) this year which will open the door for motorcycle parking charges as they will have a means to charge bikes for parking. We must keep an eye on Camden Council!
Also, what will the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) do with all their unused resident permit only motorcycle bays (the ones with the security ground anchors fitted)? Their current scheme hasn’t worked so the parking bays should all become free like their visitor motorcycle bays, but will they? Or will Kensington & Chelsea try to start charging for every motorcycle bay in their borough? Another council that we need to watch carefully.
NO TO BIKE PARKING FEES!
Bugger. I work in camden.
Was on the last demo. Lot of angry people…..and one taxi driver fully on our side.
Missed this one as at work. So how can we find out about those flash demos?
I am no expert so want to ask. Taking a bike cover, one which can be locked, putting it on a bike and not paying would that work?
If I recall correctly I have read somewhere that parking wardens can not damage your property to check the plate? If cover is lockable you will not be able to lift it to see the plate. No plate no ticket?
Lukas, you can register top right for flash demos.
Yes indeedy, throwing a cover over your bike is the simplest solution to avoiding the tax. I personally have a 1.5 metre chain i creatively wrap round cover and plate. I call it my f**k *ff chain. Works a treat. Never paid a penny in bike tax to thieving Westminster.
Unfortunately traffic wardens ARE now allowed to remove bike covers (or anything else covering your number plate) in order to issue parking tickets, so be careful as you may end up with an unexpected parking fine. It used to be that only a police officer could touch your motorcycle or scooter but now traffic wardens can tamper too, I’m afraid. This change in the law came about at the same time traffic/parking wardens were rebranded Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs). I guess if the bike cover was locked down then the CEO wouldn’t be able to physically remove it so I’m not sure how they would issue a PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) as surely they can’t damage your property, can they? Remember, this is the Westminster Council Parking Department we are talking about here.
You could always remove your number plate so your VRM (Vehicle Registration Mark) can’t be identified, but as this is illegal I wouldn’t recommend it, but I have heard it’s useful if you are not parking for long. If someone does decide to do this they must make sure that they don’t have anything else indicating their VRM, like a tax disc or paper residents parking permit. Bear in mind that the police can legally tow away motorcycles and scooters that don’t have a number plate displayed.
I personally think motor cycles should be treated like bicycles and we should be able to lock our bikes up anywhere (within reason) and use cycle lanes and the green bike boxes at traffic lights that they call ASL (Advanced Stop Lines) just like push bikes, after all, our taxation class is bicycle. Failing that, at least stop fining us and just let us park in solo motorcycle bays for free again, Danny Chalkley!
I have today for the 1st time in over twenty years visted the westend of london on a friends bike, ..
Parked for lunch behind the strand..
Low and behold came back to the bike to find a parking ticket !!!!
I really wasnt aware that you have to pay for your motorcycle parking here in the capital? when did this happen???
I am so glad that I moved to the otherside of the world where at least motorcylist have a real say and this stealth tax would not be even given public air.
I am around for the next rally, lets hope that we can be really heard at the next rally,
I read the future of this great country a while back,, the future isnt for us the motorcyclists its for the ignorants that look down from there high seat in office and demand that they are given freebies as and when,
I love great britain but not as it is today..
This isnt meant to patrionise anyone just cant belive we have let this happen to our great country.
I
loving the breakfast club meetings
would it be worth doing one on a saturday, i would have thought the increase in people who turn up would ensure more chaos, or it it the weekday traffic you want to hit
well done with it
simon