The issues around anti-social behaviour by visiting motorcyclists and the future of parking for motorbikes at Strand Quay were discussed at the annual town meeting on 4 March.
Whilst many locals understand that Rye has long been a destination for motorcyclists and welcome the bikers, recognising that they bring business to the town, there have also been ongoing complaints from some residents and businesses about the behaviour of a small minority of riders. Problems such as inconsiderate parking on pavements, excessive engine and exhaust noise and dangerous riding in built up areas are the main reasons cited.
In his address, Mayor Andy Stuart summarised the position of the council in relation to the proposed Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the Strand, targeting anti-social behaviour which the town council requested from Rother District Council (RDC) in order to give Rother officers and the police powers to enforce. Having consulted with the police, RDC has not agreed to issue the order saying that there have not been a sufficient number of complaints.
At the town meeting, Steve Mallett of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) stressed that it was only a small minority who were causing problems and that many of the bikers actively discouraged those that indulged in anti-social behaviour. Whilst the group encouraged bikers to ride within the legal speed and noise limits, Steve said that it was for the police and parking wardens to pick up and deal with these infringements. He said that the group had circulated “Rye Welcomes Considerate Bikers” posters to businesses to show their support, and reiterated that the bikers generated income for the town. The proposed PSPO was an overreaction, “a sledgehammer to crack a nut,” he said.
In reply, both Councillor Hoggart and Mayor Andy Stuart pointed out that there were very few police or traffic wardens present in the town to enforce the traffic and parking violations and explained that the request for a PSPO would be reviewed by RDC in June depending on the volume of complaints up to that time.
To clarify the situation with parking, Mayor Andy Stuart told the meeting that the Environment Agency (EA), which owns the land on Strand Quay next to the river where bikers have parked for decades, were considering using it for car parking so preventing motorcyclist access. Rye Town council’s view is that they would prefer the area to be used for pedestrians, but the EA has said that it is making no changes while it reviews its land holdings in the area, and so bikes will continue to be able to park on their land.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .
Well, I rode motorbikes for very many years, but yes, quite a few inconsiderate riders come in to and out of Rye. Yes, bikes with excessively noisy exhausts, how do they pass M.O.T.s? Riders speeding, yes. Owners taking bikes on to the pedestrians only area, Strand Quay.
Discouraging bikers from congregating in Rye isn’t going to prevent the few inconsiderate antisocial riders from continuing spoiling it for others. The top of Udimore road for example, is used by bikers as an Isle of Man speed practice by bikers and boy racers- and yes, it’s usually blokes. Speed cameras and decent set of speed bumps could slow down their passage out of town, at least. No doubt they would hide their number plates though. The lack of police presence doesn’t help.
Wow, a common sense decision , thought they were banned. I park on Rye quay regularly and find that the public, rather than being inconvenienced or obstructed really enjoy seeing the bikes and bring their kids over to look at them. Why have we got into the habit in this country of stopping people enjoying themselves at the behest of a few doomongers.
Conflicted personally as majority of Bikers are well behaved and should be welcomed but on the Strand Quay – probably not . Why cannot they congregate in Gibbets marsh car park where there is plenty of room and a bit away from the housing and its a very short walk into the centre of town
Rye suffers with pavement parking by delivery vans along with a handful of inconsiderate car drivers but I am certain that no one would propose the banning of delivery drivers or car drivers to Rye. If any one takes it on them selves to break the laws of the land, whether motorbikes, cars or littering for instance they SHOULD be dealt with appropriately.
There’s definitely a discussion to be had about extending civil parking enforcement outside the citadel, and extending the days on which they are present. Pavement parking is a huge problem for disabled pedestrians, parents with small children and/or buggies, and elderly residents. Dangerous on-street parking is also a problem that needs looking at in Rye. Like it or not, this town is getting busier and the more people we have, the more we need rules.
And absolutely nobody is proposing to ban motorbikes from Rye. I’m tired of hearing this simplistic and deliberately emotive claim. Whataboutism may be the tactic of choice for American politicians but it has no place in a proper discussion.
One must agree with Gerry Fortsch, it time to look at the bigger picture in this town,parking, pavements,litter and anti social behaviour, so easy to focus on one group, when there is so many other pressing problems in this town,which are not being addressed by those in charge.