Motorcycle parking
We welcome the use of motorcycles and provide a large number of motorcycle bays throughout Lambeth.
Parking in dedicated bays is free of charge and these bays will have markings on the street and signs with the wording ‘Solo Motorcycles Only’.
Motorcycles found parked in contravention of parking restrictions are liable to receive a parking ticket so you should take care when parking and ensure that your bike is fully within the markings of the bay.
Please note it may be necessary to suspend a motorcycle bay from time to time therefore you should not leave your motorcycle parked in a bay unchecked. Notification of a suspension will be indicated by a yellow suspension sign on the signpost within or nearest to the bay.
Where you can park
Pay and display bays
If you park your motorcycle in an on-street pay and display bay or a vehicle bay in a car park, you will need to pay for parking. This is not recommended however as it can be difficult to display tickets on motorcycles because of the risk of theft or loss which may lead to you being liable for a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
Resident parking bays
If you park your motorcycle in a resident permit bay you must display a valid resident parking permit. Please ensure you display the permit where it can be clearly seen.
If you are visiting a Lambeth resident you can use a visitor parking permit, however, like pay and display tickets these are difficult to display and it is recommended you use a solo motorcycle bay where possible.
Cavendish and Hazelbourne roads
Please note in Cavendish and Hazelbourne Roads, which are boundary streets with Wandsworth, you are not allowed to park for free in any Lambeth permit bay because we have a resident motorcycle permit scheme in operation. You should therefore check the signs carefully to ensure you are parked correctly.
Solo motorcycle parking
We have a number of free solo motorcycle bays available in many locations around Lambeth. A list of these bays can be found at:
When parking in these bays, you must ensure:
- your motorcycle is parked wholly within the bay
- it is not left for longer than 24 hours in the bay as if it is suspended your motorcycle is liable to be removed.
Where you can’t park
Motorcycles should not be parked on:
- the footway
- double or single yellow lines unless you are loading or unloading
- taxi ranks
- bus stops
- disabled bays
- suspended Bay
- any other place designated for the use of a specific class of vehicle.
Travel in bus lanes
On 24 July 2010 Transport for London (TfL) began a new 18 month trial to allow motorcycles to travel in bus lanes on some red routes. Although motorcycles are allowed in some TfL red route bus lanes this doesn't extend to those controlled by local authorities.
The new TFL experimental scheme was introduced because a previous independent scheme found that although journey times where cut, the number of accidents increased. We, like many other London authorities, do not allow motorcycles to travel in non-red route bus lanes due to safety concerns.
To avoid getting a ticket please check the bus lanes signs before entering. Any motorcycle observed travelling in a non red-route bus lane will be liable for a PCN.