Access to more parking & riders being considered as a stakeholder group for the Sydney City Access Strategy.

Available parking for motorcycles in the Sydney CBD has been steadily declining, with fewer spaces available for riders to park legally. Although improvements to public transport may be being made, forcing riders off the CBD road and onto public transport simply doesn't work for everyone - and accessibility for riders must be considered and provided for adequately by the Council and the NSW state government. Motorcyclists and their needs MUST be considered as part of the Sydney City Access Strategy.

Motorcycles can make a positive contribution to transport and drive towards the Sustainable Sydney 2030 goals, yet are not adequately catered for in the City of Sydney's parking plans. Both small and large motorcycles have less impact on the environment than cars, especially those cars with only one occupant. Motorcycles use land more efficiently than any other motorised transport, occupying less road space and parking space in particular where about 8 motorcycles can use a single car space.

Optimising access to parking requires relatively inexpensive changes to the infrastructure compared with accommodating additional public transport and making provision for more car traffic, and supports giving choice to commuters over their means of transport. Benchmarking parking rules to Melbourne CBD (where curb-side parking is common and legal) would be an affective easy win.

As identified in an MCC survey, more people would switch to cars than public transport if forced off their bikes due to lack of parking - riders are part of the congestion solution - not the problem!!

Consideration MUST be given to motorcycle riders in the city, with necessary changes and access to parking (either the provision of significantly more spaces, or relaxing of regulations to allow legal pavement parking) be provided to meet the needs of riders.