Paris: Parking fees for motorbikes
It will be expensive to park two-wheelers on the streets of the French capital. With this, Paris wants to make electric alternatives more attractive - and set out on the path to a clean future.
After a long debate to redesign the parking system in Paris, motorised two-wheelers will now also have to pay for parking in the city centre. Slightly cheaper than what is charged to car drivers, the fee has been between 2 and 3 euros since the beginning of this month. And it depends on the tariff zone where one wants to park.
Residents who want to park a two-wheeler with an internal combustion engine in front of their house can enjoy benefits. For example, they can apply for a cheaper subscription for residents' parking, which will then initially cost only 22.50 euros per year. For all other motorbike owners, however, it will be an expensive affair. And it can be even more expensive if bikers do not observe the new rule.
To their regret, there is no grace period - which is often granted in the first months after the introduction of a new traffic regulation to ease the transition for citizens. The fine for unpaid or incorrect parking is already around 37 euros - even 50 euros in the case of late parking. The chances of being caught are also high, as the checks are not carried out by the traffic police, but by a private service provider contracted for this purpose, whose employees are paid according to the number of tickets issued. It was therefore not surprising that the inspectors patrol the streets more strictly and with more commitment.
Nevertheless, there are exceptions. Two-wheelers with electric motors, for example, may still be parked free of charge in the centre of Paris. This is mainly because the city - in addition to hoping for further revenue from parking fees - wants to promote the switch to electric alternatives. Because, as Deputy Mayor David Belliard (Greens), who is responsible for transport, reminded us, it is of enormous importance to the city government to reduce noise and air pollution in traffic with the new regulation. Which, of course, means on the other hand to continue to make attractive offers for more climate-friendly vehicles also in parking.
To this end, Paris wants to prepare its streets and residents for the future tightening of driving bans. Not only car drivers will have to get used to this - but also everyone on two wheels. Unlike in Germany, they must also be able to display an environmental badge in France and are thus subject to the corresponding regulations. The latter in particular will soon become stricter. From July 2023, the sticker 3 will be banned and from 2024 even all diesels will be banned from Paris. It then only makes sense for the Paris city administration to already introduce measures that promote the decline of motorbikes with combustion engines in favour of cleaner alternatives. The new parking fees are then only a means to achieve the goal of banning all vehicles from the city by 2030. Another step towards a greener Paris.