Fight for motorcycle spots continues

Keen motorcycle rider Shane Peak has taken his appeal for three dedicated motorbike parking spots to be reinstated in the Terrigal CBD to Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch.

CCN reported a few weeks ago that Peak claimed removal of the dedicated parking spots by Central Coast Council was a severe disadvantage to motorcycle riders.

At the time, Council responded that there were 15-20 dedicated motorcycle parking spaces within the larger CBD area, with motorcyclists also able to use any available carparking spaces.

But Peak said suggesting that riders should park at The Haven or the surf club is “not fair or equitable”.

“It assumes that all motorcyclists are fully mobile and can easily walk long distances, and have more time,” he said.

“This is not always the case, and it’s not acceptable to provide lesser facilities for motorcycle and scooter riders.

“With hundreds of car spaces available, why not allocate a few more for motorcycles and scooters?

“The current decision forces motorcycles to take up car spaces, which frustrates car drivers, even though we are legally allowed to do so.”

Further, Peak said, the new 15-minute car space in Pine Tree Lane is not even large enough to fit a car, rendering its designation as a carparking space “misleading and impractical”.

“The decision to remove parking that accommodated two or three motorcycles and replace it with an unusable car space is a clear example of poor planning,” he said.

“This not only inconveniences motorcyclists but also creates frustration for car drivers.”

He has urged Crouch to advocate for a more equitable parking policy that “truly meets the needs of all road users”.

Peak said removing spaces around the block encompassing Crowne Plaza – Terrigal Esplanade, Ash St, Pine Tree Lane and Kurrawyba Ave – had disadvantaged the many motorcycle and scooter riders in the area.

He said motorcycles and scooters were vital to alleviating traffic congestion.

Peak said other councils, such as Willoughby City and North Sydney, had recognised the importance of maintaining or increasing motorcycle parking.

“Gold Coast City Council is investigating the potential for allowing motorcycles to park on footpaths, which could free up car spaces and further alleviate parking pressures,” he said.

Peak said such forward-thinking policies could benefit the entire community.