Melbourne, Australia: The Next Motorcycle Unfriendly City? |
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File under News Opinion
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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More and more cities around the world are starting to become motorcycle unfriendly. It happened here in Paris, France, were motorcycles were banned from parking on sidewalks (it was legal until not so long ago, as long as you didn't hinder pedestrians). France, a country where the motorcycle culture is very strong, and respected.
Now it's the turn for Melbourne, Australia. Their council wants to revoke a law allowing motorcycles from parking on the sidewalk, a law dating back to the 1980's.
On one side, governments want to reduce CO2 emissions, while people want to be able to get to work in time. So you see more and more PTWPowered Two Wheel - motorcyles, scooters, mopeds in cities. It has now been proven, without any doubt, that motorcycles and scooters pollute less than cars, while making traffic flow much easier. People don't need to spend hours trying to get to work, and it's fun at the same time.
If the Melbourne city council was smart (they rarely are) they'd ban all two wheelers (that includes bicycles, since if they didn't, they'd be discriminating) from sidewalks, but in return, they ensure that there are plenty of two wheel parking available. Parking your precious motorcycle or scooter in the street is asking for a car knocking down your vehicle!
Blocking a sidewalk so that pedestrians can walk, that's a serious no-no ! But most bikers aren't stupid, and wouldn't do that anyway....
30 October the City Council is holding a meeting about this ban. I strongly suggest all riders in the area to show up. If no one does, they'll assume that they can do whatever they want. Once the law is in place, you're not going to be able to change it, so act now!
Click here to find out where and when 
If you can't attend, you can still voice your displeasure. Email the Lord Mayor of Melbourne at lordmayor@melbourne.vic.gov.au, or go to the top and email Terence Mulder (shadow transport minister) at terence.mulder@parliament.vic.gov.au
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