Car park hi-jack protest!
Friday, December 10, 1999 The Observer
Motorcyctisis gathered at a Slough car park on Saturday to complain about facilities for their bikes in the town centre.
Reporter Paul Offord discovered whether they had their foot on the pedal or whether their views had run out of gas. Pictures by Andrew Wilson.
DETERMINED: Bikers from all over the area support demands for more parking facilities.
LEATHER-CLAD 'Sticks' is angry. Angry that he can't travel to Slough town centre because he says there is nowhere for him to park his motorbike safely and soundly.
"I can't walk far because I badly damaged my leg in a smash a few years ago," he said.
"I have to park near the town centre so I can get about and should be able to leave my bike knowing it's safe."
In fact 'Sticks', who lives in Farnham Road and is a member of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability, is so angry that he teamed up with dozens of motorcyclists to hold a car park 'ransom' in protest about a lack of facilities'.
Bikers from all over Slough and district, and as far as Reading and High Wycombe, parked in every spare space in Herschel Street car park from 7.30am on Saturday so that no cars could park there.
As drivers arrived at the car park they were confronted by the bikers, donned in trade mark leathers, explaining why they were taking action and seeking support to lobby Slough Council.
At some points cars were queueing out of the car park and down Herschel Road. And while some drivers became agitated, most of them were supportive once they understood the problems.
Sarah Crump, from Slough and District Motor Cycle Action, helped organise the protest.
"We used to be able to chain our bikes to a special metal bar outside Boots in High Street but it is for cyclists only now the street has been pedestrianised," she said, insisting, 'nothing has been provided to replace it since'.
SUPPORT: Protest organiser Sarah Crump hands Peter Summersgill
a leaflet explaining the protest.
Claire Hildreth and Gillian Williams, who both work in a cafe in the nearby Village market, supported the campaign by offering bikers tea and coffee at a discount price. "We ride motor bikes. and so do our boyfriends, and we understand the problems bikers face," said Claire.
CUPPA: Biker 'Sticks' buys a refreshing coffee from Gillian Williams
Slough Council has already allocated £4,000 for the provision of secure motorcycle parking in the town centre, and suitable locations will be identified in the new year. Chris Boylan, transport policy engineer, said "We are surprised at the group's reaction to the positive steps that the council intends to take on this issue." Determined bikers said they staged Saturday's protest to keep the pressure on the council to carry out the works.
