MOTORCYCLISTS have hit back at complaints over them parking up on Stratford’s Waterside.
Former mayor Cyril Bennis raised concerns over safety of the bikes parking on the pedestrianised area.
But the riders argue the spectacle draws in many visitors to the town, whose residents also enjoy the bikes.
Stratford District Council promised a crackdown on bikes parked in the area following a £3million revamp of Bancroft Gardens and Waterside back in 2009, and introduced a designated bikepark as an alternative.
But the bikers warned the park – located off a single carriageway – was in a dangerous place, and was too small to accommodate them during their gatherings throughout the summer.
Biker Carole Davis said: “The park is dangerous at the best of times and is totally out of the way. Also there has been cases of bikes being stolen from there with no CCTV or any form of security. So it’s no wonder we don’t want to park there.
“We are all normal hard working folk who have a passion for our bikes and like to share this on a Wednesday night for two or three hours a week.
“The weekend market is a much a health concern as the bikes. More so as it’s totally impossible to move through it on a good day.”
Other bikers have shared similar views to Carole’s, claiming the bikes are good for the town’s tourist trade.
Stratford District Council said it was currently monitoring the situation and was keen to hear from townspeople, visitors and businesses on the matter.
Motorcyclists say their bikes parked up alongside Waterside are a spectacle in themselves and an interest to visitors. (s)
