Motorbike parking areas, generally referred to as “bone spots,” have at all times been in brief provide, resulting in frequent circumstances of overcrowding. Many bikes are compelled to park in again alleys or on pedestrian paths. As we speak, [Your Company Name] explores the extreme scarcity of bike parking areas in Hong Kong and its causes, and recommends 3 apps to assist bike riders discover parking spots extra simply.
Motorbike Parking Difficulties: 3 Fundamental Causes
1. Excessive Demand and Low Provide
The first motive for the issue find bike parking is the inadequate variety of parking areas. As of February 2023, Hong Kong had 74,815 licensed bikes however solely 38,563 bike parking areas, with solely 11,654 of those being roadside spots. The ratio of bike parking areas to licensed automobiles is simply 0.52, in comparison with 1.11 for personal automotive parking areas, indicating a major shortfall.
2. Deserted Automobiles Lowering Area Availability
Motorbike parking spots are free, which has led to many bikes occupying areas for prolonged durations. In line with the Highway Site visitors (Parking) Laws, anybody who parks a car in a parking spot for greater than 24 hours is committing an offense, with a most fantastic of HK$2,000. Sadly, many bikes, together with these with expired licenses, are left deserted in parking spots. Dealing with these long-parked bikes is cumbersome, because the police sometimes use chalk marks to point the parking spot and solely concern a ticket after confirming the car has not moved inside 24 hours.
3. Lack of Hourly Motorbike Parking in Non-public Heaps
In line with authorities paperwork, non-public parking tons provide over 20,000 bike areas, however most can be found solely on a month-to-month rental foundation. There are only a few non-public tons providing hourly rental for bikes, and a few even prohibit bikes from coming into for short-term parking. In consequence, discovering an hourly parking spot is difficult, making bike riders really feel like “rats crossing the road.”
Authorities Measures to Improve Motorbike Parking
To handle the scarcity of bike parking areas, the Transport and Logistics Bureau has proposed the next measures:
- Make the most of area beneath elevated bridges to create bike parking spots.
- Open extra authorities constructing parking areas to the general public throughout non-office hours.
- Discover appropriate roadside areas for bike parking, relying on visitors situations.
- Apply the precept of “a number of makes use of for one location” to supply public bike parking in appropriate authorities, institutional, or group services and public leisure areas.
- Implement laws to mandate the deregistration of deserted automobiles.
The Lands Division is gathering proof associated to deserted bikes, together with information from the Transport Division and different obligatory info. After consulting with the Division of Justice, it could take into account prosecution in circumstances with adequate proof to strengthen deterrence towards unlawful abandonment.
Moreover, the Transport Division plans to amend rules to optimize car registration and licensing. It’s proposed that car homeowners should renew the license for registered automobiles which have been unlicensed for over two years, dismantle or completely take away such automobiles from Hong Kong, or apply for an exemption. This new regulation is predicted to be carried out in 2024 after the required amendments and system enhancements.
3 Really useful Motorbike Parking Apps
1. Google Maps
Most smartphones include Google Maps pre-installed. Merely seek for “bike parking” on Google Maps to view close by parking spots. The app’s road view and navigation options make it simple to make use of.
2. MotoPark
MotoPark reveals each bike parking spots and parking tons, together with their areas, charges, and make contact with numbers. It additionally supplies photographs of the parking tons and navigation, which is useful for riders unfamiliar with the realm. Moreover, it affords real-time visitors updates, fast snapshots, and fuel station areas.
3. Hong Kong Journey Simple
This app permits you to seek for roadside bike parking spots by road title. You possibly can simplify the map show by filtering out different car varieties, making it simpler for riders to view accessible parking areas.
