| Dear <<First Name>> <<Last Name>> IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
- VIDEO OF THE LEGAL SUMMONS DEMONSTRATION
- INFO FOR NEXT RIDE-OUT IN LONDON
- BEHIND THE SCENES – WHAT YOU DON’T SEE HAPPENING
- THE MCIA AND THE TRADE
- ANNUAL PERMITS – REMINDERS AND TICKETS!
 Warren is away this week having a well-deserved week off, so this time round Charlie, the No To Bike Parking Tax Press Spokesman, is writing instead. It’s now been a year since the scheme was introduced, and contrary to what Cllr. Danny Chalkley told his fellow councillors, the opposition was not small, and it didn’t fizzle out. You’re still here, still fighting, and there is now real evidence that your voices are beginning to be heard. The video report from Sun, 16th August demo, watch and share now! The video of the last demonstration is now on YouTube, thanks to a generous loan of camera kit from On Sight (020 7637 0888, for HD hire and post-production facilities) – visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTa4HkjiSV8 to see the vid for yourself. On August 16th over a thousand of you joined for our Sunday demonstration to Westminster City Hall for what proved to be a highly symbolic gesture – people signed their names onto a giant legal summons in a show of peaceful direct action that simply cannot be ignored. For those of us who have been working behind the scenes it meant a great deal to see that people are still there backing this campaign, and I can say without a doubt that the message will have got through to City Hall. Next demo ride-out on 30th September 09… The next ride in London is scheduled for the 30th September 2009 – there will be more details to follow as to our exact route and objectives, but keep the evening free and join us for what looks to be another spectacular day. On that note, many have asked why the demos should continue… To paraphrase Anna Zee, Chairman of the BMF, without you coming out to protest on the street, we would not be where we are today. Because of you, and these continuing demonstrations, we have the legal summons ready, and Chalkley is under fire from all quarters. Because of you, other councils will be reconsidering the introduction of charges for powered two-wheelers. And because of you, Westminster have delayed making the scheme permanent, and are completely silent on the issue of when it this will happen!! This is a concrete result, the ramifications of which we can all appreciate. As you can see on the Westminster City Council website (this page) the dates that were previously listed have been changed to now say "Decision made – August 2009 onwards". We must keep up the pressure, and we need YOU to do that. So please, if you can, get to Westminster on the 30th Sept and show them you’re not going to give in!! What else is happening behind the scenes?  We have had a great deal going on between these demos, with a lot of work being done to prepare the legal case, and uncover other shoddy activities by Westminster Council parking department. Obviously we can’t go into detail as to the specifics, but already there are issues that a court of law would be most interested in! All I can say is, watch this space…! Between the demos, Warren has been meeting with representatives of the Taxpayer’s Alliance, Driver’s Alliance, and more, and has been in frequent contact with WCC’s legal department, who have been reticent to reply on many occasions! In addition, the Freedom of Information Act has been used extensively to uncover the details of the scheme, how many Councillors are taking advantage of city wide free parking permits (while they choose to charge you), how much free kerbside space there really is in the borough, why Westminster is ignoring it’s residents, why traffic wardens are taking up so many parking spaces with their own vehicles, and much, much more here. Submit your own FOI request now and keep up the pressure and keep ‘em busy! Check http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/body/westminster_city_council for the full list of FOI’s submitted and to view the responses from Westminster Council (or lack of them!), why not submit your OWN information request (scroll down once on the page for the form). So… the MCIA and Trade? The MCIA (Motorcycle Industry Association) has been surprisingly quiet on this topic. While traders have been backing the campaign, both openly and behind the scenes, representatives of the MCIA have been implying that charging you to park is going to encourage you to use your bike! It may interest you to know that £10 from the sale of every new motorbike/scooter goes to these people. They are not listening to the people who generate their income – you. If you want to let them know what you think, visit http://www.mcia.co.uk/contact.aspx and leave a message or if you feel like it you can contact Steve Kenward the CEO: [email protected] oh and why not the MCIA board members too, be nice to them, let them know what you think of the lack of support from the MCIA?:
Now for some thanks… We’d also like to thank Metropolis Motorcycles, Devitt Insurance, Dobles, Infinity Motorcycles, South London Motorrad, R. Agius, RAP Superbikes, Byka Tryka, MCE Insurance, and others behind the scenes for their support via the trade scheme. Annual motorcycle/scooter parking permits and PCN’s?  Many of you have been in touch to alert us to the fact that a) you received no reminder to renew your permit and b) you have been ticketed as a result. This is another example of Westminster Council shedding it’s responsibilities while continuing to take your money. APPEAL YOUR TICKETS, make them WORK for your money (or better still, don’t let them have it!), and HOLD them to account. They do not have free license to take advantage of shortcomings in their own system.
As a final thought, I’d like to thank every one of you who have come on demonstrations in the past and continue to support us today. What we are seeing here is people standing up for themselves in a way that this country is not used to. Whether one is a rider or not, this campaign can and should serve as an example to all those who find their daily lives full of interference, money-grabs, annoyances and arrogance from their supposed representatives. You can effect change, you can have your say, and with perseverance, your voices will be heard. See you on the 30th September and ride safely! Charlie Lort-Phillips | 
