No To the Bike Parking Tax

What an amazing turnout today, easily 4000+ of you out on the streets protesting the experimental parking tax, here are some photos for you all to view [click here to view] (Thanks to Simon Leigh for the shots) if you guys out there have any video or photos please send in to [email protected]. Thank you again, we appreciate it only united can we defeat this tax, that is the only way, so let us stick together and be strong, today proved the numbers are out there! And we even understand that not everyone could make it, so that just goes to show what a force we are becoming!

Protest report coming soon!

We will be sending out a protest report to follow this message, but before we did that we thought you guys would like to see some photos and get them out there on the net to share with others. So stay tuned for the next email with a full report of what happened at the actual meeting, some of you may have got to see it via the live webstream, if not we will let you know everything that happened, Cllr Danny Chalkley was nervously there, Cllr Susie Burbridge was still talking rubbish, oh and we got to see the rest of em… what a load of… we will let you know soon. Now we must get some sleep!

In short … THE FIGHT GOES ON!

No To the Bike Parking Tax Committee.

In this email:

• On this eve of protest. We bring you an update.
• Westminster issue a "report" (Toilet paper) before the scrutiny meeting.
• Announcement, we are now officially members of the TaxPayers’ Alliance.
• Cllr Danny Chalkley on video saying things like "ludicrous", see his face if you dare!
• Adorn you bike with No To the Bike Parking Tax logos!

The eve before the protest. Welcome, articles, articles, press and Susie.

Again we want to send out a quick welcome to all the hundreds of new campaigners signed up to this mailing list, we salute you for taking a stand, now down to business. This week has been a busy week with the campaign mentioned on numerous websites, please do leave comments wherever you go and read about us, comments get read by others and the more we can get under each article adds oomph to the campaign, it shows that we are not just a handful of campaigners! We know Westminster have received over 3,000 objections. Here is a quick list for you to read over and participate in:

• Mark Wallace: Westminster council has abandoned its common sense, low tax principles and even good manners in introducing a bike parking tax.
• Westminster motorbike parking charges campaign goes global.
• TaxPayers’ Alliance issue a "Call to arms" to their members. Please comment.
• Councillor urges ‘responsible’ motorbike protest. (Yeh right Cllr Chalkley.. A Message to you.. SCRAP THE TAX.)
  
• West End Extra, 27th March 2009 – "Letters to the editor" PDF.
• West End Extra, 27th March 2009 – "War of words on two wheels" PDF.
• Tory woman councillor accused of "sexist" email. (We asked you previously to leave comments to this article, it was swamped! Thank you ALL that responded, it has the desired effect.)
  
• Motorbikers deny ‘parking hate campaign’. (Thank you for the hundreds of comments!)

Westminster pre-scrutiny meeting report, what a load of toilet rubbish.

Westminster have issued an 18 page report of the bike parking tax [Download PDF] ahead of the meeting tomorrow, where the scrutiny committee are supposed to do just that, scrutinise the report and the experimental bike parking tax. In the meeting tomorrow the campaign will be presenting 6 speakers all of which will be refuting the report, and the experimental parking charge and will be saying everything you guys have wanted to say to Westminster directly, let us hope they listen and are not foolish enough to continue the experiment, or make it permanent for that matter. In the report they do offer suggestions for compromise… which we are having none off, the report itself is full of errors, they cannot even add up their own figures.

• Download the report by none other than "One size Fitsall" (Keiran Fitsall).

TaxPayers’ Alliance – Spreading the campaign to a wider audience.

We are glad to announce that the campaign is now officially a member of the TaxPayers’ Alliance. TPA supporters will be joining us at tomorrow’s protest, and this is a great way for us to really hit hard against the bike tax. There are plenty of people out there who are sick of stealth taxes, and if we can get them on board despite them not being bike or scooter riders it will all add to our oomph. You can read more about the TaxPayers’ Alliance support for our campaign here (We ask you to please leave a comment below the article) and sign up to receive their free weekly email bulletin here.

Ever wondered what Cllr Danny Chalkley looked or even sounded like… watch this video.

If you ever wondered what Cllr Danny Chalkley looked like or sounded like, you may see him here in an interview with the BBC telling the Department of Transport that they are "stuck in the dark ages" and that they are "ludicrous" for telling him and Westminster Council that they need to turn off their CCTV network as of midnight tomorrow, haha.. what a shame they cannot hand out more tickets!

Adorn your bike.

We have plenty of posters, logos and downloads which you can print off here and stick all over your bike ready for tomorrows demonstration, we want to show to the public and passers-by what we are protesting about, so please cover your bike! Download section here.

See you all tomorrow for the MEGA DEMO!

The weather is looking good, the day is going to be fantastic, whenever you are joining us [Full details here as a reminder], wherever you are coming from, thank you for your support, united we can defeat this tax.

– No To the Bike Parking Tax Committee [Profiles].

In this email:

• On this eve of protest. We bring you an update.
• Westminster issue a "report" (Toilet paper) before the scrutiny meeting.
• Announcement, we are now officially members of the TaxPayers’ Alliance.
• Cllr Danny Chalkley on video saying things like "ludicrous", see his face if you dare!
• Adorn you bike with No To the Bike Parking Tax logos!

The eve before the protest. Welcome, articles, articles, press and Susie.

Again we want to send out a quick welcome to all the hundreds of new campaigners signed up to this mailing list, we salute you for taking a stand, now down to business. This week has been a busy week with the campaign mentioned on numerous websites, please do leave comments wherever you go and read about us, comments get read by others and the more we can get under each article adds oomph to the campaign, it shows that we are not just a handful of campaigners! We know Westminster have received over 3,000 objections. Here is a quick list for you to read over and participate in:

• Mark Wallace: Westminster council has abandoned its common sense, low tax principles and even good manners in introducing a bike parking tax.
• Westminster motorbike parking charges campaign goes global.
• TaxPayers’ Alliance issue a "Call to arms" to their members. Please comment.
• Councillor urges ‘responsible’ motorbike protest. (Yeh right Cllr Chalkley.. A Message to you.. SCRAP THE TAX.)
  
• West End Extra, 27th March 2009 – "Letters to the editor" PDF.
• West End Extra, 27th March 2009 – "War of words on two wheels" PDF.
• Tory woman councillor accused of "sexist" email. (We asked you previously to leave comments to this article, it was swamped! Thank you ALL that responded, it has the desired effect.)
  
• Motorbikers deny ‘parking hate campaign’. (Thank you for the hundreds of comments!)

Westminster pre-scrutiny meeting report, what a load of toilet rubbish.

Westminster have issued an 18 page report of the bike parking tax [Download PDF] ahead of the meeting tomorrow, where the scrutiny committee are supposed to do just that, scrutinise the report and the experimental bike parking tax. In the meeting tomorrow the campaign will be presenting 6 speakers all of which will be refuting the report, and the experimental parking charge and will be saying everything you guys have wanted to say to Westminster directly, let us hope they listen and are not foolish enough to continue the experiment, or make it permanent for that matter. In the report they do offer suggestions for compromise… which we are having none off, the report itself is full of errors, they cannot even add up their own figures.

• Download the report by none other than "One size Fitsall" (Keiran Fitsall).

TaxPayers’ Alliance – Spreading the campaign to a wider audience.

We are glad to announce that the campaign is now officially a member of the TaxPayers’ Alliance. TPA supporters will be joining us at tomorrow’s protest, and this is a great way for us to really hit hard against the bike tax. There are plenty of people out there who are sick of stealth taxes, and if we can get them on board despite them not being bike or scooter riders it will all add to our oomph. You can read more about the TaxPayers’ Alliance support for our campaign here (We ask you to please leave a comment below the article) and sign up to receive their free weekly email bulletin here.

Ever wondered what Cllr Danny Chalkley looked or even sounded like… watch this video.

If you ever wondered what Cllr Danny Chalkley looked like or sounded like, you may see him here in an interview with the BBC telling the Department of Transport that they are "stuck in the dark ages" and that they are "ludicrous" for telling him and Westminster Council that they need to turn off their CCTV network as of midnight tomorrow, haha.. what a shame they cannot hand out more tickets!

Adorn your bike.

We have plenty of posters, logos and downloads which you can print off here and stick all over your bike ready for tomorrows demonstration, we want to show to the public and passers-by what we are protesting about, so please cover your bike! Download section here.

See you all tomorrow for the MEGA DEMO!

The weather is looking good, the day is going to be fantastic, whenever you are joining us [Full details here as a reminder], wherever you are coming from, thank you for your support, united we can defeat this tax.

– No To the Bike Parking Tax Committee [Profiles].

Sorry for the second successive email but this is a crucial one, the campaign and demonstration planned for 31st March has been mentioned on a popular Conservative blog. The blog post being entitled "Tory woman councillor accused of "sexist" email" this posting is significant because:

1. It brings the issue to the attention of the wider Conservatives and other political parties that do read this particular blog. (We know Boris is against any form of charging of motorcycles or scooters).
2. It is free advertising for our demonstration and the wider issue.
3. It brings attention to a very unprofessional and biased Conservative Councillor at Westminster to the wider Conservative party, the publishing of the post shows they are not "too happy" with her sexist comment.
4. It lets us request that Cllr Susie Burbridge is removed from the Scrutiny Committee that will be supposedly "scrutinizing" the current experimental parking tax on 31st March. There is a conflict of interest and all members should review the scheme with an impartial view this is not the case with Cllr Susie Burbridge and therefore she is unfit to scrutinise. Her comments break the "Westminster members code of conduct".
5. It let’s us show them how diverse the number of people are that oppose this blatant taxation on motorcyclists and scooterists in London.
6. It is an example of Westminster Councillors not following the party lead, and trying to make a quick buck! At the expense of the motorcyclists and scooterists.
7. She has no respect for official genuine concern or objection.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENT.

WE ASK YOU <<First Name>> <<Last Name>> TO PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BLOG POST [HERE] which includes her full email (read it here) . Let us show them the shear number that oppose this experimental scheme, your comment will get read by other politicians contemplating any form of taxation on motorcycles and scooter riders, we must show them the amount of opposition there is.

FOR THE FEMALE SUPPORTERS OUT THERE!

• DO YOU RIDE MOTORBIKES OR SCOOTERS? YES.
• DO YOU OPPOSE THE EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME? YES.
• DO YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF THE MALE SPECIES? NO.

WE KNOW YOU DON’T (THE LAST POINT) BUT COUNCILLOR SUSIE BURBRIDGE DOESN’T! Same goes for the male supporters, what is Cllr Susie Burbridge on about??!! She is missing the issue big time and is stuck in her single track biased mind.

PLEASE SUBMIT A FORMAL COMPLAINT

We ask you to all submit a formal complain against Councillor Susie Burbridge and her sexist biased jibes, her comments break the "Westminster members code of conduct". You may submit a complaint here msteward@westminster.gov.uk and while you are at it why not CC in sburbridge@westminster.gov.uk herself and the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee angelaharvey@westminster.gov.uk. Remember please be nice (well as nice as you can be! but you know what we mean.) And we will see you on the 31st March for the demonstration. http://www.31st-march.com keep on spreading the word!

~ No To the Bike Parking Tax Committee.

Sorry for the second successive email but this is a crucial one, the campaign and demonstration planned for 31st March has been mentioned on a popular Conservative blog. The blog post being entitled "Tory woman councillor accused of "sexist" email" this posting is significant because:

1. It brings the issue to the attention of the wider Conservatives and other political parties that do read this particular blog. (We know Boris is against any form of charging of motorcycles or scooters).
2. It is free advertising for our demonstration and the wider issue.
3. It brings attention to a very unprofessional and biased Conservative Councillor at Westminster to the wider Conservative party, the publishing of the post shows they are not "too happy" with her sexist comment.
4. It lets us request that Cllr Susie Burbridge is removed from the Scrutiny Committee that will be supposedly "scrutinizing" the current experimental parking tax on 31st March. There is a conflict of interest and all members should review the scheme with an impartial view this is not the case with Cllr Susie Burbridge and therefore she is unfit to scrutinise. Her comments break the "Westminster members code of conduct".
5. It let’s us show them how diverse the number of people are that oppose this blatant taxation on motorcyclists and scooterists in London.
6. It is an example of Westminster Councillors not following the party lead, and trying to make a quick buck! At the expense of the motorcyclists and scooterists.
7. She has no respect for official genuine concern or objection.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENT.

WE ASK YOU <<First Name>> <<Last Name>> TO PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BLOG POST [HERE] which includes her full email (read it here) . Let us show them the shear number that oppose this experimental scheme, your comment will get read by other politicians contemplating any form of taxation on motorcycles and scooter riders, we must show them the amount of opposition there is.

FOR THE FEMALE SUPPORTERS OUT THERE!

• DO YOU RIDE MOTORBIKES OR SCOOTERS? YES.
• DO YOU OPPOSE THE EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME? YES.
• DO YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF THE MALE SPECIES? NO.

WE KNOW YOU DON’T (THE LAST POINT) BUT COUNCILLOR SUSIE BURBRIDGE DOESN’T! Same goes for the male supporters, what is Cllr Susie Burbridge on about??!! She is missing the issue big time and is stuck in her single track biased mind.

PLEASE SUBMIT A FORMAL COMPLAINT

We ask you to all submit a formal complain against Councillor Susie Burbridge and her sexist biased jibes, her comments break the "Westminster members code of conduct". You may submit a complaint here msteward@westminster.gov.uk and while you are at it why not CC in sburbridge@westminster.gov.uk herself and the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee angelaharvey@westminster.gov.uk. Remember please be nice (well as nice as you can be! but you know what we mean.) And we will see you on the 31st March for the demonstration. http://www.31st-march.com keep on spreading the word!

~ No To the Bike Parking Tax Committee.

In this email:

• Welcome to yet more campaigners!
• One week to go until the 31st March!
• Get leafletting, we have a fantastic leaflet for you all to get ticketing!
• This is the final push!
• Know anyone that organises events? Or do you?

A warm welcome to all the new avid campaigners!

We want to say welcome to all the new avid supporters that have joined us since the last mail-out. WELCOME! If you have anything that you can offer to the campaign please do tell us! chairman@notobikeparkingfees.com if not we have lots of things that we need doing to build up to the 31st March! More details below.

Only one week left to go until the MEGA DEMO! A reminder!

Our sources are telling us that the 31st March is going to be a fantastic day with plenty of you out on the streets! Remember we have a target of 1000+ let us make sure we achieve it! We have been informed that this could very well be achievable! But remember you need to get 10,000 to know about it to get 1,000 out on the street! SO KEEP ON SPREADING THE WORD, WE REALLY NEED TO ALL PULL TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS SOMETHING HUGE!

We understand that there will be supporters joining us from outside London, a lot of them will be meeting up at key points around the city here is a quick list, (From the South, M2, M20, Meeting at Blackheath – From the South West, Infinity Motorcycles, Clapham – From the North, Sadlers Wells, Islington – From the West, A1, M1, M40, M4, Ace Cafe London) But anyone that wants to meet us for the ride from Ace Cafe, we will be leaving the Ace at 4:15pm gathering anytime before then!

If you cannot make the Ace Cafe ride, then of course you need to be either at Trafalgar Sq, between 5pm-6:15pm or outside Westminster City Hall for 7pm. For a full route map please refer to the events page on our website here. The Police will be providing parking and supporting our demonstration, they are on our side.

Get leafletting like mad! PENALTY CHARGE WARNING!

Our latest leaflet form the man in the design studio is something of a masterpiece! It is a dreaded PCW! (Penalty Charge Warning!) We all know the feeling we get one of those IF you get one of those, Westminster seemed to have been dishing out way more since the introduction of the experimental parking tax. 10,000 per month to be exact!

Our latest flier should get noticed and get read by the recipient! THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO IGNORE IT! Get ticketing NOW! This applies ALL over the UK!

This is the final push, let us make the 31st March 2009 a day to remember!

Our voice IS being heard at Westminster City Hall, we know that, but is it being listened to? They have hushed up our public debate forum, they have tried to smear our campaign they have branded us as "rogue", they have attacked us with sexist jibes "Bully-boy tactics until you get your own way. A common symptom of the male species." – Cllr Susan Burbridge (the truth is we have a large amount females supporting the campaign) we know we are none of that, we are genuinely tax-paying citizens (and Westminster residents) who oppose yet another tax, who they are blatantly fleecing, just because they can, remember they work for us, the people!!

But we have had enough of fee, charge, tax after fee, charge, tax, this is the thin end of a very large wedge, and it MUST STOP NOW! Let us show them the numbers opposing this experimental parking tax, we hope to see you <<First Name>> <<Last Name>> with others out on the 31st March, demonstrating your right to protest, your right to object your right to get your voice heard!

Know anyone that works in events?! We need some equipment!

We need some support from any guys out there that work or know someone that works in events, we have a list of items we need to attain somehow, we want to set up a mobile PA system so that all can watch the meeting as it unfolds within Westminster Council, while our guys are giving the Westminster Councillors the reasoned opposition against the experimental parking tax, if you know how or have any of the kit please contact chairman@notobikeparkingfees.com, the list is as follows:

• Speakers
• Microphone
• Mixer
• Amp
• Power supply/source (Generator?)
• Projector
• Extension lead (20m)
• Video out cable/hdmi
• Largest megaphone ever!

Keep spreading the word!

No to The Bike Parking Tax Committee

In this email:

• Welcome to yet more campaigners!
• One week to go until the 31st March!
• Get leafletting, we have a fantastic leaflet for you all to get ticketing!
• This is the final push!
• Know anyone that organises events? Or do you?

A warm welcome to all the new avid campaigners!

We want to say welcome to all the new avid supporters that have joined us since the last mail-out. WELCOME! If you have anything that you can offer to the campaign please do tell us! chairman@notobikeparkingfees.com if not we have lots of things that we need doing to build up to the 31st March! More details below.

Only one week left to go until the MEGA DEMO! A reminder!

Our sources are telling us that the 31st March is going to be a fantastic day with plenty of you out on the streets! Remember we have a target of 1000+ let us make sure we achieve it! We have been informed that this could very well be achievable! But remember you need to get 10,000 to know about it to get 1,000 out on the street! SO KEEP ON SPREADING THE WORD, WE REALLY NEED TO ALL PULL TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS SOMETHING HUGE!

We understand that there will be supporters joining us from outside London, a lot of them will be meeting up at key points around the city here is a quick list, (From the South, M2, M20, Meeting at Blackheath – From the South West, Infinity Motorcycles, Clapham – From the North, Sadlers Wells, Islington – From the West, A1, M1, M40, M4, Ace Cafe London) But anyone that wants to meet us for the ride from Ace Cafe, we will be leaving the Ace at 4:15pm gathering anytime before then!

If you cannot make the Ace Cafe ride, then of course you need to be either at Trafalgar Sq, between 5pm-6:15pm or outside Westminster City Hall for 7pm. For a full route map please refer to the events page on our website here. The Police will be providing parking and supporting our demonstration, they are on our side.

Get leafletting like mad! PENALTY CHARGE WARNING!

Our latest leaflet form the man in the design studio is something of a masterpiece! It is a dreaded PCW! (Penalty Charge Warning!) We all know the feeling we get one of those IF you get one of those, Westminster seemed to have been dishing out way more since the introduction of the experimental parking tax. 10,000 per month to be exact!

Our latest flier should get noticed and get read by the recipient! THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO IGNORE IT! Get ticketing NOW! This applies ALL over the UK!

This is the final push, let us make the 31st March 2009 a day to remember!

Our voice IS being heard at Westminster City Hall, we know that, but is it being listened to? They have hushed up our public debate forum, they have tried to smear our campaign they have branded us as "rogue", they have attacked us with sexist jibes "Bully-boy tactics until you get your own way. A common symptom of the male species." – Cllr Susan Burbridge (the truth is we have a large amount females supporting the campaign) we know we are none of that, we are genuinely tax-paying citizens (and Westminster residents) who oppose yet another tax, who they are blatantly fleecing, just because they can, remember they work for us, the people!!

But we have had enough of fee, charge, tax after fee, charge, tax, this is the thin end of a very large wedge, and it MUST STOP NOW! Let us show them the numbers opposing this experimental parking tax, we hope to see you <<First Name>> <<Last Name>> with others out on the 31st March, demonstrating your right to protest, your right to object your right to get your voice heard!

Know anyone that works in events?! We need some equipment!

We need some support from any guys out there that work or know someone that works in events, we have a list of items we need to attain somehow, we want to set up a mobile PA system so that all can watch the meeting as it unfolds within Westminster Council, while our guys are giving the Westminster Councillors the reasoned opposition against the experimental parking tax, if you know how or have any of the kit please contact chairman@notobikeparkingfees.com, the list is as follows:

• Speakers
• Microphone
• Mixer
• Amp
• Power supply/source (Generator?)
• Projector
• Extension lead (20m)
• Video out cable/hdmi
• Largest megaphone ever!

Keep spreading the word!

No to The Bike Parking Tax Committee

We ask you <<First Name>> <<Last Name>> to please respond immediately to the latest Westminster City Council press release entitled "Most objections to motorcycle charges from outside Westminster" (Below for you to read in full, we know more than 153 residents objected!). We ask you to respond by emailing a letter to the local press explaining how the charge has affected you as a resident and why you oppose it, a list of emails we want you to email are below as is the full press release from Westminster. If you have done so already please do it again, it is highly effective, this is the only way we can refute their claims, by constantly responding to them via the press as we built up to the 31st March.

SEND TO ALL THESE EMAILS (BE NICE!)

• Letters desk at West End Extra: letters@westendextra.co.uk (Camden New Journal, Islington Tribune & West End Extra)
• Josie Hinton – josiehinton@hotmail.com – Marylebone Express, Reporter
• Geoff Martin – geoff.martin@archant.co.uk – Marylebone Express, The Editor
• Juliet Eysenck – julieteysenck@trinitysouth.co.uk – Reporter,  London Informer, Fulham & Hammersmith Chronicle, Kensington & Chelsea News, Marylebone & Pimlico Mercury
• Aidan Jones – aidanjones@trinitysouth.co.uk – Chief Reporter, London Informer, Fulham & Hammersmith Chronicle, Kensington & Chelsea News, Marylebone & Pimlico Mercury

START THE PRESS RELEASE

Most objections to motorcycle charges from outside Westminster
Westminster Council has received almost 3,000 letters and emails in response to its trial of motorcycle parking charges in the city, it announced today. The scheme, which was introduced in response to the huge influx of motorcyclists driving into Westminster, came into force in August 2008.

Under the initiative, motorcyclists are charged a maximum of £1.50 a day to park in a dedicated motorcycle bay anywhere in the borough. This compares to a charge of up to £4 per hour or £40 per day for a car to park in the capital.

Over the last six months, individuals or businesses have been invited by the council to voice any concerns or suggestions for improvements to the scheme. These will be taken into account before a final decision on the scheme is made next month (April).

An analysis of the figures show that:

Approximately 10 per cent of the total 2,930 objections were found to be duplicates, with some individuals sending as many as a dozen separate emails, and therefore will not be counted.

Of the remaining 2,633 objections received just 153 – less than 6 per cent – were from Westminster residents.

Less than 40 percent of objections came from those who live and work within the capital, with the remainder being received from a range of locations across the UK including places as far a field as Edinburgh, County Durham, Cornwall, Liverpool, Cardiff and the Isle of Skye.

Surprisingly, several objections even came from people living outside of the UK including residents of Holland, Italy, South Africa, Australia, and Romania. Cllr Danny Chalkley, Westminster’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: "I was initially surprised that we have received some objections from as far away as Tasmania and South Africa although it clearly demonstrates just how passionately people feel about the issue.

"It’s also interesting to note that the vast majority of objections have come from motorcyclists who live outside Westminster and London although their views of course carry equal weight as those living in the city.

"And while all feedback, both positive and negative, will be carefully considered before a final decision on the scheme is made, we will have to disregard around 300 of the objections which were found to be duplicates."

ENDS

31ST MARCH 2009 IS STILL ON, SEE YOU THERE <<First Name>> <<Last Name>>!

The 31st March is going to be the MEGA one, the campaign will be presenting to the Built Environment Policy and Scrutiny Committee official opposition to the experimental parking charge. Be there! Full details are here: http://www.31st-march.com

Kind regards,

- No To the Bike Parking Tax Committee.