Motorbike footpath push

They don’t want to abuse it because they know how good it is and don’t want to lose it

— DAMIEN CODOGNOTTO

MOTORCYCLISTS are pushing to be allowed to park on Tasmanian footpaths to help reduce peak-hour traffic.

Under the law, which has operated in Victoria since the 1980s, motorcyclists can park bikes on a footpath unless a sign says they cannot and provided they do not block pedestrians, delivery vehicles, public transport users or parked cars.

Independent Riders’ Group spokesman Damien Codognotto said changing the rule would encourage workers to commute on motorbikes or scooters.

“We need to give single vehicle occupants an alternative,” he said. “One of the ways to address congestion in Hobart and Launceston is to get more people on motorbikes and scooters. The role footpath parking plays is the ability of a commuter to get to work and park economically, and save money and time on travel.”

He said it was in a rider’s interests not to block footpaths. “They don’t want to abuse it because they know how good it is and don’t want to lose it,” he said.

“Riders respect it and park sensibly. They don’t want to come back and find their machine damaged.”

He said more bikes would also make the city more vibrant. Mr Codognotto was part of the team that helped introduce the rule into Victoria and said it had operated success- fully for almost 40 years. Tasmanian Motorcycle Council president Paul Bullock said narrower footpaths would prevent the law from being as effective in Tasmania.

But Mr Codognotto said the argument the law only worked in Melbourne because of wider streets was a “furphy”. He said riders did not park on narrow footpaths in Victoria and the wording of the law excluded streets with slender sidewalks.

Mr Bullock said they had worked with Hobart, Launceston and Devonport councils to try to develop more free parking areas for motorbikes.

He said another option was to make the first parking spot next to a driveway for bikes only.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said she was open to meeting motorcyclists to hear how to make commuting easier for them.

“Motorcycles and scooters are clearly an efficient way to get around,” Cr Reynolds said.

“Every person on a motorbike uses less space than one person sitting in a car.”

She said riding could also be cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

There are 214 motorcycle parking bays at 25 locations across Hobart CBD.

A State Government spokeswoman said it already had a strategy to reduce traffic congestion and had no plans to allow motorcyclists to park on footpaths.