Motorbike Insurance

Motorbike riders are to face charges to park in central London under new plans drafted by Westminster Council.

They will have to pay between £1 and £1.50 per day under the new proposals, which the council says will go towards expanding and improving the parking facilities for bikes.

The move has angered bikers, with the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) calling it a retrograde step. It feels that motorcycles are helping to reduce congestion in the capital and that the charge will undermine the "two wheels better" message.

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"Some might think that bikers are getting off too lightly with free parking but all should remember that those who use two wheels liberate space for essential four wheeled traffic, so everyone enjoys a knock-on benefit from a choice which Londoners are increasingly making," said MAG spokesman Ian Mutch.

"If Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea would take a holistic view of this issue which recognises the economic benefits of reduced congestion then all interests would be best served," he added.

Around 16,000 motorcyclists travel into central London each day, according to the BBC. However, there are only enough spaces for 4,500 motorbikes to park.

The scheme aims to increase this to around 5,000.

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