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Could you be paying for parking when you can get it for free

Could you be paying for parking, when you can get it for free? To work out when you have to pay for your motorcycle parking, as opposed to getting it free, requires a lot of patience and, oh yes, a degree in quantum physics might help as well.

It is worth considering that although the U.K. is only a comparatively small island, it is made up of numerous different councils that have different policies when it comes to parking. Some council operated Pay & Display car parks will not charge motorcyclists, even though most privately owned car parks certainly will. So, get your glasses out and read the microscopic print on the Ticket Machine, as that will tell you what you can get away with.

Therefore, it literally pays to find out who does what, and update yourself, as councils do change their minds - mostly at the motorcyclists expense. But, as a general rule, use council owned and operated car parks. If you can help it, don't use privately owned car parks.

And as you might have guessed, London has its own rules and procedures. So, lets start there.

Now, London itself is made up of loads of different Boroughs, such as Corporation of London and Camden, but generally, multi-storey car parks owned by the councils allow free parking for the motorcyclist, as long as they leave their bike within the allotted bay. But, as always, just be aware that you might choose a car park which is an exception to this rule - so, as always, ensure you read the ticket machine.

Many Boroughs also offer free off-street parking, mostly in allotted bays, but again, rules vary and you might have to pay. London is also an odd case because there are many parts, bits of land and pavement included, that are deemed 'unofficial' motorcycle parking areas. And these are mostly accepted by the enforcement authorities, but be warned, things can change. Abuse - too many bikes, bikes parked in a bad way, or a landlord moaning - might mean that the wardens do not look the other way and you'll end up clamped.

Outside of London, and it's still a case of taking nothing for granted. Take Bath and North Somerset. Motorcyclists can, free of charge, park in all on-street bays and in a lot of their car parks, but not all.

Glasgow is also very fair, allowing free parking in most of its car parks and should you not be able to find a space, they will assist you in finding one! Manchester withdrew a number of free parking concessions a few years ago, but still offer free bays in certain parts of the City. Newcastle is also less generous than other cities, but you'll still find free places if you look.

Could you be paying for parking, when you can get it for free? Yes, certainly, and there's lots of it, but always check and reassure yourself that you can park free, and not just on Sundays in a Leap year and when you're wearing your Rupert Bear trousers.


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