Imagine if there was no payment to park, you visited a town/city and couldn't find a place to park, no matter how many times you drive round looking for a space there won't be one, cos if it's free some folk will park all day and some will never get parked at all. If we have to pay it means we are limited by our purse/wallet and at some point we all get to park.                                                                                                                                                                              

I agree with your sentiments Roughie but sorry to say your maths is a bit off   A big car would possibly carry 7 people but it would take up the space of 5 or 6 bikes which could carry 10 or 12 people   The reduced fee for bikes is a compromise but the congestion that cars cause against the environmental advantages of bikes ;  ( less pollution, no congestion and fewer emissions ) Makes bikes a much more sensible option for parking provision   Bikes are part of the solution not part of the problem   Powered 2 wheelers are now being actively encouraged in many places   Many towns and cities now provide secure dedicated bike parking, an acknowledgment  to the environmental contribution that bikes make   But, returning to Matlock, it's the traders who are calling for the proposed charges to be dropped   They know that the biking fraternity are the mainstay of their trade   Introducing charges will adversely affect their turnover and some will go out of business   Sandi, it should NEVER be about the depth of ones wallet   That's what got this country into the mess we are in now   As those with "bottomless" wallets will always have a choice, whilst those on a budget will not   I'm surprised that a woman of your limited means could suggest such a pecuniary disadvantage   It should never be about ones ability to pay   Otherwise the rich would have all the choices and privileges   And the poor would have to be content with what they could "afford"   We have all the effects of this kind of policy on society   It is divisive and inequitable and creates disharmony                                                                                                                                                                             

emzed# dont think you,d get 5/6 bikes in a standard parking bay .. as far s i know they are all the same size.. which just about fit 4 bikes.. the point being ptw should not have tto pay to park anywhere .. most cities/towns accomodate ptw....  you can senssibly park a bike virtually anywhere. I object to paying to park anyway car/bike even more so bike.   but greedy bureaucrats, will always want to make a fast buck...   Ride Safe...Ride free