train stations are putting special 1/2 price parking spaces for them.

Them spaces can't have moved very far north yet. Maybe it's the train operating company in your father's part of the world.

I've long commented: Why would you put up with all that discomfort, when, unlike a motor bike, you have no advantage in traffic and a Rolls Royce(or more topically, a Maybach), pays the same for a parking bay, not that I've ever had trouble with a 23ft. Hymer motorhome.

I'm a fair man, I tried one out for the day in Majorca, out of 10: Ride:1 point: Vibrating beds tone you up better,
Noise level 9 points: surprisingly quiet,
Pulling power=norwegian eurovision entry. But then maybe it's because I'm old and ugly,
Fuel consumption: piss in the tank and you can go three times round the island.

Not all bad, if you never ever have to make a journey outside the immediate city centre - but then you might well be able to find something battery powered.