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City to trial free motorbike and scooter parking on footpaths

Scooter riders and motorcyclists will soon be allowed to park their vehicles on selected city footpaths for free.

Feb 11, 2016, updated Feb 11, 2016
Councillor David Slama wants scooter parking across the CBD. Photo: Nat Rogers/InDaily

Councillor David Slama wants scooter parking across the CBD. Photo: Nat Rogers/InDaily

Free, time-unlimited parking spaces for scooters and motorcycles will be opened on designated Victoria Square and Light Square footpaths on Monday.

The Adelaide City Council nine-month trial will test the case for rolling out footpath parking for two-wheeled motorised vehicles across the CBD.

Central Ward councillor David Slama, who proposed the trial, told InDaily he wanted to encourage people to use the efficient, low-emissions vehicles in the city to give it a more “cosmopolitan feel”, and to help reduce traffic congestion.

Slama told InDaily yesterday that the number of footpath parking places would be small – only four to begin – however a council spokesperson clarified this afternoon that up to 50 spaces will become available on Victoria Square, plus 10 spaces on Light Square.

“The trial will deliver a message that this council is serious about improving traffic flow in the city,” Slama said.

He said he’d been riding scooters and motorcycles “legally, since I was 16”.

“As we look at other potential sites to roll out the concept, ensuring safe pedestrian access – especially for people with disabilities – is a priority [as is] ensuring there is no impact to adjacent businesses,” Slama said.

“…we really need to make it as easy as possible for people to visit the city.

“By making access easier by improving parking options, this will go a long way towards helping to reduce congestion on city streets.”

Scooters and motorbikes parked on North Terrace.

Scooters and motorbikes parked on North Terrace.

The idea was endorsed by traffic engineer James Edwards last year. Edwards penned an analysis claiming free scooter parks would save ratepayers more than $100 million, because the construction of several future car park buildings would not be required.

RAA city manager for road safety Charles Mountain also told InDaily last year that he was not concerned about any increase in scooters and motorcycles on the road that might occur if free scooter parking became more widely spread.

“It’s something that we support being looked at,” he said.

“Where you’ve got wider footpaths and it wouldn’t impede the normal pedestrian walkway, then yes it could happen (but) if you’ve got situations where you’ve got a lot of outdoor dining and busy pedestrian activities then it may not be appropriate.

“It tends to work reasonably well in Victoria.”

Free scooter parking on footpaths was part of Martin Haese’s platform when he ran to become Lord Mayor in 2014.

Photo: Nat Rogers/InDaily

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