| Footpath Parking The envy of most non-Victorians, parking a bike up on the kerb is under threat. One of the things that make Melbourne feel 'Euro', cosmopolitan, chilled, is the sight of bikes up on the footpath. Not only does it make the city feel great, it has a positive effect on helping with the reduction of traffic congestion, pollution and commute times. Here's what the MRA Vic say The Case for banning motorcycles & scooters from large areas of Melbourne's footpaths does not add up. If the Melbourne City Council's (MCC) Transport Councillor Frances Gilley can't do the sums on the number of motorbikes that can be parked in 36 car bays then 1200 motorcycles & scooters parked on footpaths each working day is probably a gross underestimation of too. Melbourne's population is set to rise from five to eight million people in 20 years or so. The number of residents & students in, and commuters & visitors to, the CBD and inner suburbs must increase. Many of these people will choose to save time and money by riding rather than driving. Melbourne and other councils have underestimated the need for more off-street and on-street secure motorbike parking and more secure parking at park & ride facilities. Motorbikes are a far more efficient link to public transport in the outer suburbs and regional cities than cars. If riders who park motorbikes on footpaths while at work had secure, free alternatives, they'd use them but the MCC removed secure off-street parking and did not replace it as promised. This directly increases demand for footpath space. Rather than admit the failures to consult and to establish adequate off-street motorcycle & scooter parking with lockers, Cr Frances Gilley's team attacks legitimate two-wheel commuters who more than pay their way. On Friday, February 14, 2020, Lord Mayor Sally Capp and Victoria Walks' Dr Ben Rossiter put an emotional argument on TV that motorcycles & scooters on footpaths put pedestrians at risk forcing them to walk in car traffic. If true, it is not only motorbikes doing the forcing but all pavement "clutter". No evidence was presented to support this claim. On the other hand the MRA presented a submission (as IRG in 2017) on motorcycle stop lines. It showed drivers ignored stop lines forcing people to walk in traffic. Photos were included. See attached. Stop lines were not taken seriously. The MCC and VicRoads wasted $47,000 on an ARRB feasibility study to stop the planned M8 trial. The study was condemned by all the motorcycle representatives on the Motorcycles In Melbourne Committee. Cr Frances Gilley ignored the criticism as he ignores criticism of plans for mass footpath parking bans and requests for secure off-street parking. Damien Codognotto OAM, Spokesman The Motorcycle Riders Association, Melbourne | 