Paltry number of motorcycle spaces in Shropshire car parks

There are only 14 allocated motorcycle bays in Shropshire Council run car parks according to research.

The statistics were unearthed by motorcycle insurance broker, Bikesure.

Calculations were based on the following:

Most cars can take advantage of a one-bay-per-vehicle offering but the majority of allocated motorbike parking comes in a shared form by way of larger bays or areas that have the room to fit multiple machines

Therefore, to provide the most accurate picture of demand versus capacity, the number of registered bikes in an area was divided by the approximate number of motorbikes that can fit in its designated motorcycle parking spaces

This gave a comparison-based percentage to draw the best conclusions on how councils, counties, regions and countries are serving two-wheel motorists

It showed that only 0.23& of the total number of car parking spaces in Shropshire were allocated to motorcycles. In comparison, Stratford-on-Avon District Council has a purpose-built 150- space facility that is designed specifically and only for motorbikes.

Warwickshire is the councty that accommodates the most bikes in the region (320 in 195 spaces) and has the second-highest percentage of its total spaces (1.85%) dedicated to bikes in the country.

However, with no dedicated areas for motorbikes in car parks in Coventry, Dudley, Solihull, Staffordshire Moorlands, and South Staffordshire, it means that less than 1% of the West Midlands’ licensed motorbikes are being granted a space in council car parks.

Rob Balls, Bikesure general manager, said: “Our findings lay bare the reality that UK motorcyclists are being undoubtedly overlooked when it comes to the safe and secure parking of their machines.

“It’s concerning to us that, despite there being over 1.4 million licensed bikes on our roads, our councils have made provisions for fewer than 12,000 of them. This just doesn’t feel good enough.

“It’s time for all local authorities to recognise the scale of the problem and start addressing the imbalance. The numbers just don’t add up, and bikers deserve better.”

Rob Wilson, Cabinet member with responsibility for car parks, said: “Motorcycle bays in our car parks can usually accommodate at least two motorcycles and sometimes more, and motorcycles can also be parked in car parking bays.

“Over the years we have implemented motorcycle areas/bays where viable options become available and where we are aware there is a demand.

Some spaces are well used, such as Bridge Street in Shrewsbury, but others less so, such as St Julian’s Friars and Abbey Foregate.

“However, we’re happy to look at areas where there is demand, and in the past have adapted our car parks following customer enquiries. We’d therefore ask customers to contact the council with any requests.

“Motorcycle parking is free in designated parking bays in the car parks, but a standard car parking bay can be used upon payment of the parking charge. The MiPermit app is recommended when paying  as there is no requirement to display a pay and display ticket on the motorcycle.”
Oswestry Town Town and Shifnal Town Council manage their respective car parks.

An Oswestry Town Council spokesperson said: “Council introduced a dedicated motorcycle parking area at the entrance area to the Central Car Park and are investigating how more space can be allocated in the Horsemarket Car Park.”

Shifnal Town Council had not responded at the time of writing.