Motorcyclists lose precious parking space

The government has been striving to encourage people to use motorcycles as their daily mode of transport, especially in Valletta, where parking and traffic has been a problem. A few bikers, myself included, used to find South Street (between Zachary Street and Republic Street) in Valletta a safe and unobtrusive parking area, which seemed to be OK with wardens.

When the new parking regulations for the city (and hence the new pedestrian zones) came into force a few months ago, the warden posted at the corner of South Street to Republic Street had told me and others that motorcycles were exempt from the new regulations.

The other morning a warden (who I must say was very rude) was passing by South Street and made a whole fuss at one motorcycle owner who was about to leave with his bike.

Upon calling the local council we were told that as from Monday we were not to park there anymore and that's that. No alternative parking was proposed.

Motorcycles parked in car bays are fined, South Street has become a no-parking zone for motorcycles too, the square near Valletta Gate is closed off regularly, and there are very, very few designated motorcycles parking spaces.

What are commuters with motorcycles supposed to do?