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Motorcycles ruin streets up market image, rules council.
Birmingham city council, host to The National Motorcycle Museum and the NEC bike show, have sent letters to residents of an up market street warning that bikes aren’t welcome because they present a bad image to the public.According to Chris Morse, business centre manager at the council, bikes parked outside the jeweler’s shops on Vyse Street, “detract from the appearance of the Jewellery quarter”.
Adam Bicknell, who has a shop on the street, said he was shocked to get the letter. Bicknell rides his scooter to work every day, but the council wants it moved. Bicknell said, “The council is always telling us not to use cars because of congestion. I don’t use a car and now I’m stuck.”
MCN phoned Morse posing as a resident no longer able to park out side their workplace on Vyse Street. We wanted to see how Morse could justify the council’s anti-bike policy. He couldn’t. Morse said, “we’ve had complaints about the perceived loss of business this has the potential to create. I’m not trying to justify it – I’m just explaining to you what the complaints were. None of us have the right to a parking space”. When we asked him why bikes create such a bad image, he said, “From my point of view, if I’m a little old lady and see someone in leathers and a crash helmet I might be a bit wary.”
A spokesperson for Birmingham council said, “The council owns some units in the Jewelry quarter which it leases out to retailers. Following concerns expressed by some of our lessees about unauthorised parking of motorcycles and bikes on shop forecourts, we have written to all the lessees advising them that this is private land owned by the council and that their leases do not cover any parking rights on these forecourts for the occupiers or any other person, nor is there planning permission for any parking. Motorcyclists are entitled to park anywhere in the area where parking is authorized.”Craig Arney-Clinch from the Motorcycle Industry Association said, “Given the West Midland’s long history with the motorcycle industry, I’m surprised to see such a bike-ist attitude. It’s a classic example of a council seeking to reduce congestion and then going against its stated policy by discriminating against bikers”
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