No To the Bike Parking Tax

Warren Djanogly – Chairman – [Contact me]

45-year-old married father of 2, and Senior Partner with the Accountancy firm youraccountsteam.co.uk, Warren Djanogly, as one of the founding six who attending the Westminster Scrutiny Committee meeting on September 3, 2008, assumed the mantle of Chairman of the resultant Action Committee and has been highly-active in steering that Committee in its campaigning against Chalkley’s tax. Whilst having no personal political ambition, and certainly far less political experience, Warren has turned this to the Committee’s advantage by not following conventional lines in the planning and galvanising of support from a plethora of potentially interested or tax-affected organisations.

With the ultimate objective of demonstrating to the modern-day highwaymen of Westminster Council that not only is the demonstrating going to continue, it is gathering an ever-increasing following of malcontents, Warren has already galvanised the disparate factions of the Motorcycle fraternity and has made great stride in soliciting support from the Residents and non-biking communities who too see this campaign as the most serious challenge to a parking-tax scheme ever witnessed in the UK to date.

“it is easy to harbour feelings of malcontent against the elected Authorities every now and then, but when one finally decides enough is enough, the need of assurance that others feel just as strongly is a tremendous driving force to actively seek change. When one is asked to Chair a Committee of such people, and to witness the passion that they to have for the cause, it is truly an honour.” says Warren Djanogly

“We will overturn this nauseating tax, and the longer it remains unchanged, the bigger the bloody-nose its architects will receive”.

Richard Paris – Politics & Research – [Contact me]

Richard teaches and practices law. He has been riding bikes for 40 years for commuting and pleasure. He knows that P2Ws (powered 2 wheelers) are part of the answer to tackle congestion, cost, delays and cutting carbon emissions. Precisely at a time when low-paid essential workers are struggling to survive a recession, Westminster Council introduces a ’stealth tax’ which will hit such people disproportionality hard. When central government and the Mayor’s office are finally understanding that P2Ws should be encouraged not taxed.

Other councils expand their P2W parking and security out of their existing budgets. Westminster Council, which already has enormous revenue, sees P2Ws as just another source of income. The Council’s professed interest in working with P2W owners and groups such as BMF and MAG is a mainfest sham and needs to be exposed as such.

Dr Leon Mannings – Transport Consultant – [Contact me]

I am a consultant in the field of motorcycling policy and research who recognises that PTWs have an ever more vital role in solving many transport related problems for the people, economy and environment of Britain. Increasing the safer use of PTWs in all UK cities and especially London is a vital part of reducing congestion related problems both on our overcrowded roads and public transport commuter services. But the current trial of a new tax on motorcycle parking in Westminster is deterring people from solving problems by using PTWs – and cannot deliver any sustainable transport benefits. Correspondingly, I support those who are excising their democratic rights and duties to oppose such a retrogressive step – and especially in a time of recession.

I share my analysis and views about current issues at TransportCrucible.com and in Motorcycle Sport and Leisure magazine.

My research interests include road safety and the underlying drivers for constraining motorised vehicle use – not least of which are political desires to increase the scale and spread of transport related taxation. I am a former Chairman of the BMF and was closely involved with the TfL trial of motorbikes in bus lanes – and the roll out of this measure in London’s Red Routes to improve the safety of all vulnerable road users.

Josef Dunne – IT/Website – [Contact me]

25 Years old. I started commuting to Central London in July, I moved from public transport to powered 2 wheels because I saw it as an economical, less stressful alternative to the over expensive, over crowded, delayed private railway system. I have cut my commute time by half and am less stressed when arriving at work. 2 wheels gives you freedom. I believe 100% that this parking tax has been ill thought through and is just another stealth tax and a way for Westminster City Council to raise revenue. I believe motorised 2 wheels should be encouraged as they are a perfect solution to a congested city, take up far less parking space and are also a less polluting form of transport.

John Speller – Design & Marketing – [Contact me]

I passionately believe, that following over 100 years of free parking throughout the UK, there are no reasons to introduce charges now. With concerns about cutting pollution and congestion I believe we are part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Charlie Lort-Philips – [Contact me]

Charlie is 28 and works in Soho as a video editor, and lives in Battersea – he uses a scooter because it enables him to get in very quickly and at short notice for clients and stay later than usual. He used to use the bus but it took too long to get in. He is supporting the cause because an extra £5/week doubles the running cost of his bike. Already his assistant has decided not to get a scooter because of the extra expense.

Nicolas du Bouexic – [Contact me]

Awaiting text.

Nicholas Kotarski – [Contact me]

I have been riding motorcycles on and off since 1977, mainly as a commuter as I lived out in the sticks for some time. Then from Luton to London to save money and for the convenience. I was working in the Westminster area when I noticed the Councils feeble attempt to advise regular commuters of the forth coming charges and realised that many would be caught out by the speed of implementation . So a personal campaign started of leafleting as many bikes in the area so they were aware of the charges but more importantly to advise them how to petition against them. I eventually crossed paths with the organiser of the first protest ride and as they say the rest is history, except we still need to persuade the Westminster City Councillors to make Danny Chalkley change his mind and cancel this tax on motorcycles. So promise me you will write or call as many councillors as possible and if you have not already done so submit a formal petition.

Terry Johnson – [Contact me]

Having known and worked with Warren Djanogly (Chairman) for a number of years, when he first approached me to actively help out with this campaign, I was a bit reluctant at first, too be honest, to get involved.

I am the weekend warrior, I feel the need for speed, the wind blast, the thrill of riding a motorcycle but only when it is a warm sunny, dry day!

Why should I be bothered to get involved with this campaign, well, if you read any one of the other committee members statements, you will quickly find that they all echo a clear and passionate message that I think shows that people from a massively diverse cross section of society can all share a view that this is totally unjust stealth tax on P2Ws.

The effort these guys have put into this campaign is simple amazing. The website, the logo design, the organising of demonstrations, even down to the logistics of getting gas cylinders and banners in place, it truly is a remarkable effort all round.

I urge everyone to get involved, even people, like me, who hardly ever ride into Central London, unity is strength.

Paul Amery – [Contact me]

I felt strongly that the introduction of parking charges for motorcyclists was a tax too far, and so set up the Facebook group “Westminster Motorcycle Charging – Direct Action”. Motorists in general have been hit hard over recent years by congestion charges, fuel tax surcharges, insurance premium tax, excise duties, all increasing at rates far above inflation. Westminster levies excessive parking charges as it is, something that is having a disastrous effect on inner-city businesses.

In addition, the motorcycle tax is regressive, hitting the lowest-paid most, and disproportionate – as a Westminster resident, I pay nearly 50% less to park a car than my scooter. Where’s the logic there? The council knows that there are plenty of empty parking spaces in Central London, as people refuse to pay their charges. It would cost nothing to allocate some of this space to motorcyclists. The increase in visitor numbers that would result would be a welcome relief to West End businesses – cafes, shops, restaurants, theatres. Scrap the tax!

Shoan Ning – [Contact me]

Having attended the Scrutiny Commitee meeting at Westminster Council on the 3rd Sept 2008 and having heard the numerous excuses of why this parking tax was implemented in the first place, I can say that there is no doubt in my mind that this is nothing less than extortion and a clearly unjustifiable tax. The city of London has promoted the use of PTW (Powered 2 Wheel) vehicles in the hope of alleviating the congestion in London and reducing traffic emissions.

With the introduction of the motor vehicle congestion charge, the numbers of motorcycles have increased significantly and thereby doing the city a good service. Instead of rewarding and praising this means, we have now been asked to pay a parking tax for helping to solve the city’s congestion and emissions problem.

For the cost of a can of paint to increase the parking bays for bikes we are seeing this scheme generate enormous profits for this council. London, already rated as one of the most expensive cities in the world in a time of a recession, is worsened with the parking tax for bikes. For many motorcyclists, the costs just do not add up anymore and are reverting to other means of transport. The Westminster Council should help resolve London’s problems instead of adding to it.

Kilian Clissmann – [Contact me]

I am a resident of Westminster and I try to ride my motorcycle where possible to reduce my car use and for convenience. Motorbikes are the perfect solution for longer journeys in a city when a bicycle won’t do it.

I was involved in the campaign to knock a previous motorcycle parking tax campaign on the head in 2003. I strongly believe that having being corralled into ‘Solo Bays’ in London ( unlike many other cities ) to then be taxed for being compliant is just unfair. Motorcycles reduce congestion in my borough and that has to be good. I also strongly believe that it is the thin edge of the wedge – look at what was has happened with CCTV – it was only for our safety when introduced and now it is a revenue stream to issue tickets. Bike charging will go the same way – soon we will have to pay a minimum daily charge to park in any London borough and then throughout the whole country UNLESS WE STOP IT NOW

Gerard Livett – FEMA President – [Contact me]

I have been actively involved in riders’ rights for over 10 years and am currently the FEMA President previously Motorcycle Action Group’s Greater London Regional Representative and Director of Transport Planning. My part in the campaign against parking charges started over two years ago when Westminster first proposed their new scheme. MAG & FEMA has consistently opposed any form of charging for motorcycle parking.

At the time of the first consultation I prepared a survey and report which recommended that bikes should continue to park for free beacuse of the social, economic and environmental benefits they can bring. MAG & FEMA is supporting the camapign because we believe that motorcycles and scooters are part of the transport solution and not part of the transport problem, and therefore we should be exempt from parking charges, in the same way that we are exempt from congestion charging. We are also supporting the campaign because it is well organized and focused and will win.

British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) Representatives

Anna Zee – BMF Chairman – [Contact me]

Awaiting text.

Cathy Philpotts – BMF Political & Technical Services and BMF London Regional Chairman – [Contact me]

I first got involved with voluntary work lobbying in 1990 and over the intervening years have spent a lot of my spare time trying to improve our lot (ie get more parking spaces and access to bus lanes) as well as to prevent well-meaning bureaucrats from imposing ill thought out safety measures (so-called leg protectors, airbags etc). In more recent years I have sat on Transport for London’s “London Motorcycle Working Group” and participated in a number of local borough parking reviews. Both Camden and Islington significantly increased free motorcycle parking after such reviews. Unfortunately, Westmisnter has not chosen to follow their lead. I’m currently the Regional Chair for the BMF’s London Region as well as Director of Political and Technical Support for the BMF – which means I’m heavily involved in deciding BMF policy and campaigning for the BMF. I’m supporting the No to Bike Parking Fees campaign because I believe that motorcycles and scooters are part of the solution to congestion and are greener than other vehicles. I believe the sufficent, free parking should be provided wherever it is needed.

MAG Representatives

Nich Brown – MAG General Secretary – [Contact me]

Awaiting text.

Ian Mutch – MAG President – [Contact me]

Awaiting text.

Paul Turner – MAG Chairman – [Contact me]

Awaiting text.