July 28, 2022
The National Motorcyclists Council has today stated its opposition to continued road user charges for motorcycles under Transport for London’s (TfL) proposals to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). The proposed wider zone will cover almost all of Greater London.
TfL have been consulting on their proposals and aim to implement London-wide on 29 August 2023. Motorcycles get little mention in the consultation other than to confirm that TfL plan to continue charging riders £12.50 a day under the expanded zone. This is the same charge that car drivers have to pay. Riders on motorcycles of a Euro3 or higher emission standard will remain exempt from the charge.
The NMC’s response can be downloaded via this link.
Regardless of whether the ULEZ is expanded, motorcycles of all types should be fully exempt from ULEZ charges, as is the case across Scotland and in other Low Emission Zone areas. The majority of Motorcycles, regardless of their size and age, can be shown to emit negligible levels of NOx. Therefore, given the benefits that motorcycling offers to the traffic network, it is unreasonable that they should be charged at all, much less at the same rate as cars.
NMC Executive Director, Craig Carey-Clinch said: “Motorcycles offer positive benefits in terms of lower emissions and reducing congestion. They should be included positively in transport plans as part of the future of transport as we move towards a cleaner and greener future – particularly as on average, motorcycles produce far lower CO2 emissions than cars.
“The NMC is calling on TfL to ditch their plans to continue charging motorcycle riders under ULEZ and urge them instead to enter a positive dialogue about the benefits and opportunities that motorcycling offers to the future of London’s transport policy.”
ENDS
1. For further comment from the NMC please contact Craig Carey-Clinch, on 07979 757484 / craig@uknmc.org
2. The Consultation can be found here: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/cleanair?cid=clean-air
3. National Motorcyclists Council members are: The Auto Cycle Union, BikeTrac, the British Motorcyclists Federation, IAM RoadSmart, the National Motorcycle Dealers Association, Plantec Assist, the Trail Riders Fellowship and the Vintage Motor Cycle Club
