The MCC of NSW has worked in conjunction with the City of Sydney to develop a transport policy that addresses the needs and concerns of Motorcycle and Scooter riders in the Sydney CBD. As a result of that work, in late 2008 the City of Sydney released its Motorcycle & Scooter Strategy & Action Plan 2008-2011. It is a credit to the City of Sydney that they've taken a proactive and innovative approach to these issues.

Access to the Strategy & Action Plan can be found on the City of Sydney Website

The following is the Executive Summary of the plan.

Executive Summary

Motorcycle and scooter ownership and use is growing rapidly in metropolitan Sydney, and in the City of Sydney. Motorcycles are an enjoyable, fuel efficient, convenient and lower cost alternative to private cars, and are well suited to the City of Sydney’s higher density neighbourhoods.

In developing the draft Motorcycle and Scooter Strategy and Action Plan, the City has consulted with riders and motorcycle groups, including the Motorcycle Council of NSW. The City surveyed more than a thousand riders, advertised the development of the strategy in motorcycle and scooter publications, and reviewed extensive rider
correspondence to the City.

Free Parking

The City has responded to recent requests from riders by increasing dedicated free motorcycle parking across the local government area. In the last two years, the City has more than doubled free motorcycle parking to more than 600 spaces, and the City will continue to provide such spaces in suitable locations. The City has also expanded secure off-street motorcycle and scooter parking in the City’s Goulburn Street Parking Station, which is provided at a significant discount.

Ticket parking however is the single most significant barrier to motorcycle and scooter access across the City’s local government area. While car drivers can park in any ticket parking zone by displaying a ticket on the dashboard within the vehicle, this option is not available to motorcyclists, who are at risk of having their ticket blown away or stolen. This means riders are effectively excluded from parking in spaces available to car drivers in the City’s most popular village areas, such as Crown Street, Glebe Point Road, King Street, Oxford Street, and the Pyrmont and Ultimo peninsula.

The impossibility of securely displaying a visitor parking permit on a motorcycle means that riders are further disadvantaged. For example, car drivers can use visitor permits to get free all-day parking in areas such as Ultimo Pyrmont, where ticket parking is widespread. Riders however cannot securely display a parking ticket or a visitor parking permit. As a consequence, many riders risk fines by parking on the street or parking illegally on footpaths or within building forecourts.

The draft Strategy proposes to address these concerns by introducing a one-year trial exempting riders from the requirement to buy and display a parking ticket. This will enable riders to park in spaces that are available to car drivers.

Lower Parking Fees

The environmental performance of motorcycles and scooters is improving rapidly in response to new international standards. Motorcycles and scooters emit less greenhouse gas than cars, and require far less parking space, which is scarce in inner Sydney. The City has already proposed, in the draft schedule of fees and charges for the 2008/09 financial year, to charge motorcycles the lowest permit parking fee, reflecting their low greenhouse gas emissions.

Encourage Low Emission Transport

To further improve emissions performance, the draft Strategy supports the deployment of electric scooters by trialling charging points in suitable locations. To improve information available to riders and intending purchasers, the draft Strategy also advocates for inclusion of motorcycle comparisons in the Commonwealth’s Green Vehicle Guide.

Motorcycle Security

Motorcycle security can be improved by the trial installation of on-street fastening points for motorcycle cable locks. These devices have been successfully used in other countries, and will be particularly valuable to owners of smaller scooters, who face high risk of theft. In residential areas, on-street locking points may also prevent potential problems associated with locking motorcycles to fences, poles or porches.

Motorcycle Safety

Safety of motorcyclists is a concern of riders and the City of Sydney. The City has conducted a number of safety campaigns focused on both rider and car driver behaviour. The draft Strategy proposes that the City continue to develop and promote driver and rider safety education programs.