RIDE INVESTIGATES
Will removing older bikes from London’s streets help, and are we likely to see similar measures cut emissions elsewhere?
LONDON’S ULTRA LOW Emission Zone (ULEZ) expanded on August 29 to include every London borough, following a High Court battle that ran towards the end of July this year.
Designed to improve the air quality across the city – and, thus, the quality of life for Londoners – the zone essentially sees any bikes that don’t meet Euro3 emissions standards charged £12.50 a day to enter the area. Cars must meet different standards.
Euro3 bikes are generally those registered with the DVLA after July 2007, but some older machines have been able to squeeze in thanks to several aftermarket test centres popping up across the city; five are recommended on tfl.gov.uk
“The latest evidence shows that air pollution is making us sick from cradle to the grave,” said Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. “Expanding the ULEZ London-wide will mean five million more people will be able to breathe cleaner air and live healthier lives.”
For all of the potential health benefits though, many feel expanding the ULEZ scheme is harmful to the motorcycle industry – claiming two ‐wheelers could help solve the city’s congestion problems, and that some business will be seriously impacted by the change.
Bikes have the answer
“Motorcycles don’t cause or contribute to congestion, CO22is vastly reduced through motorcycle use – particularly where small and medium ‐sized motorcycles are used for commuting journeys – and journey times are reduced,” said Craig Carey-Clinch, Executive
Director of the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC).
“In other words, [bikes are] the ideal mobility solution for London and other cities.
“The National Motorcycle Dealers Association has highlighted grave concerns about likely negative impacts on the motorcycle trade within the expanded ULEZ. The NMC shares these concerns and we have received direct feedback from dealers who are extremely worried about what the expanded zone may mean for their businesses.”
There are other concerns too. With less-well-off bikers invariably riding older bikes, the changes could hurt those who can least afford it – and based on a five ‐da y ‐a‐week commute, for some it could push costs up by £250 a month.
Michael Cole runs Maverick Motorcycles in Croydon, buying and selling used Harley ‐Davidsons – many of which don’t comply with ULEZ. He now faces a dilemma on whether to make ra
