Biking keyworkers fight back
1500 sign MAG letter opposing Camden parking charge
More than 1500 key workers in Camden have signed an open letter organised by the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) which has been sent to councillors in Camden urging them to rethink extortionate proposed bike parking charges.
Parking a bike in solo motorcycle bays is currently free both for visitors and residents but the London borough are proposing charging up to £6 per hour for bike parking. In the letter backed by huge numbers of keyworkers including nurses, doctors, teachers, police officers, couriers, construction workers and Blood Bikers, signatories have told the council that these proposed changes will place serious strain on their ability to go to work.
“Not being able to use my motorbike will affect my shift work, especially at weekends due to reduced services,” Roseanne Luther, Senior Staff Nurse at University College Hospital, told MAG. “During the pandemic, using a motorcycle has allowed me to avoid unnecessary contact with the public as I am at high risk of being a carrier and spreading the virus unknowingly. My motorcycle is very efficient, and I do not sit in traffic adding to pollution or to congestion on the roads.”
‘This will affect my ability to get to my shifts’ ROSEANNE LUTHER, SENIOR NURSE
Camden is proposing the charges because they say they want to encourage visitors or residents to consider greener modes of transport such as walking or cycling. Spencer McEvoy, the Motorcycle Action Group’s Greater London Rep, said: “Thousands of keyworkers rely on their motorbikes to be able to get to work.
“Camden Council’s proposals will be devastating, not only to those workers but to all Camden residents who rely on these workers’ selfless public service. The very short consultation Camden ran during a Tier 4 lockdown, when travel patterns did not reflect reality. We have repeatedly asked to meet with Camden Council to explain this to them, but they have refused to engage with MAG.”