Motorcycling in Aberdeen

Motorcycles can play a significant role in maximising the efficient use of limited road space.

In addition to providing the convenience of personal mobility, in urban areas, switching from car use to motorcycle use has the potential to reduce vehicle emissions and congestion as well as minimising the land required for parking provision.

In developing strategies, the City Council will take note of "Motorcycling in Scotland" published by the Scottish Government. A key concern in promoting the use relates to rider safety. Accordingly, to reduce their accident involvement rate, the Council will support aims that provide a safe, integrated transport environment for motorcyclists whilst reducing rider vulnerability. The Council will work with Police Scotland, the Motorcycle Action Group (Aberdeenshire) and the British Motorcycle Federation (Scotland) to promote and support the ongoing development of initiatives designed to increase rider abilities, such as through advanced rider training schemes.

In developing motorcycling parking provision, note will be taken of the good practice. This covers many elements including the provision of parking close to destinations, physical security measures, CCTV coverage, and provision of lockers and changing facilities where possible.

The Council has been lobbied on allowing motorcyclists access to priority lanes. The Council maintains the position that the needs of motorcyclists do not justify giving them priority over other road users, on the basis that this will dilute the effectiveness of the lanes and lead to an unsafe mix of users. However, we are aware that trials are being undertaken across the UK and will keep this situation under review.

Motorcycle parking facilities have been provided throughout the City. Please get in contact if you have a suggestion for a new site.

Following these basic security rules can guard against losing your bike:

• Use a good lock
• Always lock your bike when leaving it, even for a few minutes
• Secure your bike to proper motorcycle stands, or robust street furniture where this will not cause an obstruction
• Lock your bike through both wheels and frame if possible
• Take off accessories that can't be locked to your bike

If you are unfortunate enough to have your motorcycle stolen giving the police a good description can greatly increase your chances of getting it back.

• Remember that you have the same right to be on the road as any other user
• Look around and signal clearly before any manoeuvre
• Position yourself well on the road, ride clear of the kerb and parked cars, making you more visible
• When is slow moving traffic and near junctions position yourself in the middle of the lane, so that people can see you and allows you to manoeuvre more easily
• Assume that other road users won't indicate their manoeuvre, won't stop at red lights and even with eye contact you might not have been noticed
• Trucks and large vehicles have a blind spot down both sides of their vehicle, that when they turn left might not see you, so keep a safe distance behind
• Be considerate to pedestrians and cyclists
• Think ahead - be careful at junctions, bends, entrances, obstructions and avoid braking sharply in wet or icy conditions
• See and be seen - wear bright and reflective clothing and in poor visibility use your lights

Before setting off

• Check to see that there are no problems with your tyres, indicators and your lights are working

Near and Clear, Secure and Safe to use and Useful

Near - Motorcyclists will naturally look for parking opportunities close to their destination because the small-size and flexibility of the motorcycle allows easy progress through traffic and the use of marginal parking areas without causing obstruction. Consideration of carrying of protective clothing and helmets will also mitigate against more remote parking.

Clear - While the first consideration is especially true of very short stops, any difficulty in finding a suitable formal parking area will tend to negate the natural advantages of motorcycle use, if riders looking to park for any length of time are to use formal facilities, they need to be able to find them.

Secure - Physical security measures will be a strong attraction for most riders needing to park for more than a few minutes. Casual users, motorcycle-tourists, etc. unfamiliar with an area are likely to find the prospect of secure parking very attractive. Physical security need not be difficult or expensive to provide, and inclusion of fixed robust features such as rails and hoops designed to provide a simple locking-point for securing motorcycles is often all that is required.

Safe to use - Personal safety considerations when using a parking area start with the surface on which the motorbike has to be manoeuvred, mounted/dismounted, which should be level. Slopes can cause reduced stability of parked machines and be on suitable hard-standing. Side and centre stands can exert considerable loads. Secondary security feature such as lighting, seclusion, whether the scheme is covered by CCTV and the amount of passing pedestrians traffic all need to be considered when planning a facility. Where parking facilities are provided on the carriageway, sufficient space and visibility must be present to allow manoeuvring without significant risk of coming into conflict with other traffic.

Useful - where possible, in new developments where parking is provided, lockers and changing facilities should be provided for motorcyclists. Parking should also be provided as close to the building access points as possible.