Scooters give Sandton City the slip
SANDTON – Sandton City has steps to make sure motorcyclists pay for parking tickets, but following complaints, has suspended the current practice.
Motorcyclists are unhappy with the steps taken by Sandton City security to make sure that two-wheelers pay for parking at the shopping centre.
A motorcyclist who shops at Sandton City on a frequent basis and who wished to remain anonymous said, “I’m flabbergasted that Sandton City is so determined to stop scooter and motorcyclists from not paying for parking that they have issued guards with long poles with a spiked metal pad to prevent this.
“They are instructed to rush over and prevent two-wheelers from leaving by thrusting the spiked pad under the wheels. We don’t take up a parking bay, several bikes can park where one car does, we don’t add to the parking and traffic congestion there or in the area, let alone the less destructive environmental impact bikes and scooters have generally.”
The motorcyclist added that Sandton City should be encouraging more people to make use of two-wheeled transport rather than trying to harass them with spiked metal poles.
“I think this money-grabbing by them is tacky and I wonder how management would feel if their instructions result in the death of a scooter or motorbike rider?”
Nomzamo Radebe, CEO of JHI Property Service Company, which is Sandton City’s management agents stated that the security measures taken by Sandton City were there to reduce motorcycle thefts.
“While we understand the frustration regarding motorcycle parking facilities at Sandton City, our actions are an attempt to provide a safer and more secure shopping environment for all our visitors, including those arriving by motorbike.
“Motorbike thieves make use of their ability to squeeze around our booms, while cars tailgate behind exiting customers. In order to prevent theft of motorcycles and cars, our security guards are trained to use hand-held spikes to prevent vehicles from exiting the centre illegally. If a motorist has a ticket then we can reasonably assume they are the rightful owner of the motorbike or car as they obtained a ticket upon entry and will pay for the facilities provided.”
Radebe added that Sandton City centre management had taken this complaint seriously and had suspended the use of spikes in their parking areas while reviewing alternative security measures.
Details: 011 217 6000.
