Paris introduces controversial parking fees for motorcyclists

The city of Paris has introduced parking fees for motorbikes and mopeds in a move that has sparked anger among bikers.

Riders of motorised two-wheeled vehicles had previously been allowed to park for free, but city officials say the measure is needed to control high levels of noise, air pollution and congestion caused by the bikes.

Those impacted will now have to pay €3 (US$3.01) per hour to park in the city centre and €2 per hour in surrounding neighbourhoods.

Residents can pay €22.50 for an annual card that entitles them to a €0.75 a day tariff.

Electric motorbikes and mopeds will be exempt from the charge.

Controversial measure

David Belliard, Paris’ Deputy Mayor for Mobility and City Space, said the new policy was about encouraging commuters to use other forms of transport.

“It’s a controversial measure, a lot of people are not happy – but there are also a lot of people who are waiting for this measure.

“We are in an exemption regime for machines that take up public space, which make noise, and which pollute.

“The vast majority of people who come to work today do so by public transport. It is estimated that 100,000 scooters and motorcycles pass through Paris.

“We want to encourage migration to other forms of mobility.”

Fines for non-compliance start at €25, rising to €135 if a motorbike is parked outside a designated space.

The French Federation of Angry Motorcyclists (FFMC) has claimed the measure discriminates against “poor people who live in the suburbs”, and several hundred bikers gathered in Paris on Saturday to protest against the charge.

Noise pollution

With 9 million – or 75 percent – of the Paris region’s inhabitants exposed to noise levels that exceed the World Health Organization’s recommendations, policies to combat noise pollution are evolving.

In 2016, environmental group Bruitparif developed the ‘Méduse’ or jellyfish sensor, which combines an omnidirectional microphone with an array of three-directional mics that allow researchers to pinpoint the origin of loud noise sources or track moving ones.

The sensors combine the microphones with a small low-power computer, and a 360-degree camera.

The French capital has been testing the technology over the past year and is expected to start issuing automated fines to offending vehicles from early 2023.

Image: Liset (Flickr)