Motorcyclists face seaside parking postcode lottery as council guidance falls short
New research claims riders are being left confused by inconsistent parking rules across the UK's favourite seaside towns.
Planning a ride to the seaside this summer for your annual 200-mile trip for fish and chips? You might want to check the parking rules before you leave, as new research suggests motorcycle parking guidance varies wildly depending on where you go.
Motorcycle insurance specialist Carole Nash has published its Motorcycle Parking Index, assessing 20 popular UK seaside destinations on how easy it is for riders to find official parking information. The results paint a patchy picture, with 80 per cent of councils scoring just two out of five or less.
The index looked for five key pieces of information on council websites, including whether there was a dedicated motorcycle parking page, the location and number of bike bays, and guidance on street and pavement parking.
Torquay came out on top as the most bike parking friendly, with a score of four out of five thanks to a dedicated motorcycle parking page and detailed guidance. Southend-on-Sea, Blackpool and Brighton shared second place with scores of three, while only six of the 20 councils surveyed offered dedicated motorcycle parking information at all.
According to Carole Nash, the lack of consistent guidance leaves riders facing unnecessary uncertainty, particularly when visiting unfamiliar locations during the busy summer season. Although motorcycles are generally subject to the same parking rules as other vehicles under the Highway Code, local authorities often have their own rules on charges, street parking and the use of dedicated motorcycle bays.
Daniel Nield of Carole Nash said the findings show parking information is often aimed at car drivers rather than motorcyclists, making it harder for riders to plan trips with confidence.
Highest ranking seaside towns
Town | Score | Reason |
Torquay | 4/5 |
|
Southend-on-Sea | 3/5 |
|
Blackpool | 3/5 |
|
Brighton | 3/5 |
|
The insurer is now calling on councils to provide clearer, motorcycle-specific guidance, including the location of dedicated parking bays, the number available and local rules covering on-street and pavement parking, to help remove the current postcode lottery facing riders.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
