Parking Tariff Rises To Rp44 Thousand Per Jam, Hundreds Of Motorcyclists In This City Holds Protests

Illustration of motorbike parking in Paris. (Wikimedia Commons/Peter Haas)

JAKARTA - Hundreds of motorcyclists staged protests against the burdensome increase in parking rates per hour, while local authorities called it the necessary steps to control pollution, noise to traffic jams.

This happened in Paris, France when motorcycle users there held demonstrations over new parking rates in the capital last weekend.

Protesters gathered in front of the Paris City Hall, to express their anger over the cost of new parking for two and three-wheeled motorized vehicles effective from September 1.

Those who took part in the demonstration believed the cost of new parking for motorcycles and scooters would have a major impact on the lives of many motorcyclists, at a time when cost of living soared across Europe, reported by Euronews September 5.

However, Paris officials say the measures are needed to control high levels of noise and air pollution, as well as the congestion caused by motorcycles, adding that change is needed to address 'community problems and public health.'

Samy Picar, a member of the French Federation of Angry Bikers, told reporters on Saturday that the majority of people affected by this policy were middle and lower class groups.

He said those affected were people "who have no choice but to live outside Paris because the lease is too high and those who have to come to work in Paris. And those who have no alternatives other than two or three-wheeled motorized vehicles, because they work on a busy schedule.

He also believes that Paris' public transportation is not well organized for the people in this situation.

Under the new regulations, motorcyclists traveling to downtown Paris, must now pay three euros or around IDR 44,376 per hour for parking. As well as two euros or around IDR 29,584 in the surrounding environment.

Locals can pay 22.50 euros for the annual card, which gives them a 75 cents per day.