Guidelines for
Motorbike Parking in Newcastle
September 2007
Production: Guidelines for Motorbike Parking In Newcastle was prepared by the City Services, Transport and Traffic Team of Newcastle City Council.
Need to know more? For further information about this document, contact: Transport and Traffic Team Newcastle City Council Phone: 4974 2666
Published by: Newcastle City Council 282 King Street, Newcastle City Council Phone: 02 4974 2000 (main switchboard) Post:
PO Box 489 Newcastle 2300 Australia
Fax:
02 4974 2603
E-mail:
[email protected] Web:
www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au
September 2007 Edition: Final September
Cover photos: Motorbike parking zones and scenes in Newcastle CBD
Guidelines for Motorbike Parking in Newcastle
1.0
INTRODUCTION
Newcastle City Council is planning for motorbike parking zones in Newcastle. Motorbikes require much less space for parking than cars, and can also occupy spaces that are unsuitable for other vehicles. If attractive designated spaces can be provided for motorbikes then illegal parking will be reduced and more efficient use can be made of potential parking spaces in the City. With the high demand for car parking space in the Central Business District (CBD), an apparent increase in use of motorbikes for both commuting and weekend recreation, dedicated motorbike parking could reduce illegal parking and improve utilisation of parking spaces especially marked meter bays. In 2006, there were about 3,210 registered motorbikes in the Newcastle Local Government Area (LGA) and 4,287 in Lake Macquarie LGA. There is an increase of registrations since 2000 of about 46% in Newcastle and 43% in Lake Macquarie LGA. This document provides guidelines for the establishment of motorbike parking zones in Newcastle.
2.0
2.1 •
•
•
•
•
•
PARKING AREAS
There are three areas where motorbike parking could be considered: • • •
On-street Off-street Footpaths
•
On Street Parking Motorbikes can park on any road where other registered vehicles can park. They do not require dedicated zones, but such zones can be signposted if appropriate. On-street motorbike only parking areas are designated by Motorbike Parking signage and pavement markings (section 4.0) Motorbike parking should be considered where demand is evident and it will not impact significantly on other parking Motorbike parking should not interfere with pedestrians or vehicle paths. It is illegal for motorbikes to be ridden on footways or other pedestrian areas Other motorbike parking opportunities include where parking is currently banned (such as No Parking or No Stopping zones) where motorbike parking would fit without conflicting with safety or traffic control requirements of the current zone Where “No Stopping” restrictions are located, motorbike parking should comply with Australian Road Rules and be approved by the Newcastle City Traffic Committee, taking into account visibility and safety issues Motorbike parking should not be adjacent to taxi ranks and bus stops or on steep downhill gradients
Page 1
Guidelines for Motorbike Parking in Newcastle
•
•
•
2.2 •
•
•
•
Motorbike parking can be signposted as unrestricted or with time restrictions (with or without fees) depending on the demand in the area. Motorbike parking spaces should be designed in accordance with section 4.4 When parking a motorbike on a parallel parking zone, it should park at an angle (not less than 60 degrees) so that other motorbikes can park beside it, maximising the space to a ratio of about 3 motorbike parking spaces for each car space.
2.3
Footpath parking
Driving of motorbikes and other motor vehicles on footpaths is prohibited in New South Wales. •
•
In some cases it may be possible to convert a footpath area for motorbike parking Where conversion of a footpath for motorbike parking is proposed it should meet the following requirements:
Motorbike parking should not conflict with pedestrians or other road users and should be safe for motorcyclists to use
There should be an identified need to have additional motorbike parking in the immediate area which cannot be accommodated by on street parking
It does not obstruct pedestrian and disabled access, infrastructure services such as hydrants, manholes, etc.
It should not impact on other uses such as outdoor dining areas.
Adequate footpath widths free of motorbike parking should be retained to allow safe and convenient use by pedestrians, including those entering/ leaving vehicles parked at the kerbside. The footpath width is usually at an average of about 3.5 metres.
Footpath areas designated for motorbike parking should be clearly defined, signposted and line marked to define the parking spaces and driving areas (see section 4.2).
A designated motorbike ramp or existing driveway should be available for motorbikes to safely access the parking area to avoid conflict with pedestrians and other road users
Off-street Parking Off-street parking areas include public and private car parks, both at grade and multi-storey. A motorbike can park in any legal space within these facilities and can legally occupy the entire space Off-street motorbike only parking spaces should be considered to maximise the use of spaces. Where a space is not sufficient to fit a car, motorbike parking should be considered In difficult locations where signposting is not feasible, pavement marking may be used instead (see, section 4.2) Motorbike parking should not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular paths or clear zones, nor can motorbikes be ridden on footways or other pedestrian areas
Page 2
Guidelines for Motorbike Parking in Newcastle
Footpath areas for conversion to motorbike parking should be approved by the Newcastle City Traffic Committee (Australian Road Rules ARR 202).
3.0
4.2
Motorbike Pavement Markings •
PARKING STRATEGY •
Motorbike parking is a developing issue and should be included in a revised Car Parking Policy for Newcastle.
4.0
SIGNAGE MARKINGS
AND
4.1
Motorbike Parking Signs
In areas where signposting is not practical, e.g. off-street, odd corners in buildings and similar areas, pavement marking may be used. Supplementary signs on the entrance carpark will provide motorbike parking information such as time restrictions and applicable fees.
PAVEMENT
The sign R5-1-4 (RTA Regulatory Signs Manual) should be used in defining motorbike parking zones:
Add parking period and time(s) of operations as appropriate. Where appropriate, supplementary signs “Park in Marked Bays Only” may be used.
Page 3
Guidelines for Motorbike Parking in Newcastle
30o 4.3
Parking signs and lines on footway areas
Motorbike Parking Zone r a c r a c
On footpaths where the motorbike parking area covers a bigger area than the ordinary width of a motorbike, lines should be installed enclosing the area to clearly define it. This could include marking individual bays and use of Park in Marked Bays signage.
m 1 . 1
m 8 . 1
m 8 . 1
m 8 . 1
m 8 . 1
45o Motorbike Parking Zone
r a c
m 5 . 1
m 5 . 1
4.4
m m 3 5 . . 1 1
m 3 . 1
m 3 . 1
r a c
m 3 . 1
Motorbike Parking Spaces
60o
The following diagrams show the required measurements for motorbike parking spaces.
Motorbike Parking Zone
r a c
m 0 . 2
r a c
Oo Parallel Motorbike Parking Zone r a C
m 1 . 1
r a c
motorbike
motorbike
motorbike
m 1 . 1
m 1 . 1
m 1 . 1
m 1 . 1
m 9 . 0
90o m 2 . 3
m 2 . 3
m 2 . 3
Motorbike Parking Zone
r a c
m 1 . 2
m 0 . 1
m 0 . 1
m 0 . 1
m 0 . 1
m 0 . 1
m 0 . 1
Page 4
r a c
Guidelines for Motorbike Parking in Newcastle
5.0
DESIGN STANDARDS
When designing motorbike parking following should be considered: •
•
•
• •
•
•
7.0 REFERENCES the
A paved non slippery surface (either concrete or pavers) The road, footpath or pavement should be flat (or near flat) A ramp or driveway to access any raised parking area Good lighting Secure anchor points for motorbikes (similar to bike racks) if necessary Bollards to prevent cars hitting motorbikes (if necessary) No conflict between pedestrians and motorbikes or other vehicles.
6.0 •
•
1
The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), “Regulatory Signs”, Signs”, Version Version 1.2, September 2002. 2 The
Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), “ A guide to the delegation to Councils for the regulation of traffic”, Version 1.0, November 2006, Publication No. 06.358.
3
The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), “Motor Bike Parking”, TDT 2004/02, March 2004, Publication No. 04.080.
4
Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council, “Guidelines for Parking Motorcycles on Footpaths”, June 2001, VicRoads Publication No. 0741.
APPROVAL GUIDELINES
Websites:
Any motorbike parking proposals onroad and/or footpath should be referred to the Newcastle City Traffic Committee for advice on legal signposting and line marking as required under Council’s delegation for traffic facilities.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/publicationsstatist icsforms/downloads/statiregis_dl6.html?plid =licencestats
The Facilities Management Unit is responsible for public car park facilities and the Parks and Recreation Unit is responsible for parks.
http://mraa.org.au/forum/modules/issues/ind ex.php?pagenum=2 http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/AboutS ydney/ParkingAndTransport/MotorCycleParki ng.asp
Page 5
