Sadiq Khan’s new transport strategy ignore benefits of bikers

LONDON MAYOR Sadiq Khan has ignored the positive impact of powered two-wheelers (PTWs) in his latest TfL transport strategy, which came following a public consultation.

This is despite him having previously told industry and rider groups that ‘It is absolutely right for us to enable PTWs to play their part in delivering a less congested road network’. 

The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) has called him out on the omission, saying that it ‘has placed the safety of hundreds of thousands of regular motorcycle and scooter riders at risk by disregarding calls to properly include them in London’s transport strategy.’

Under the new Mayor’s Transport Strategy, motorcycles and scooters that do not meet Euro 3 standards – i.e. those registered before 2007 – will be counted alongside cars, taxis and construction traffic, and charged similarly. This will mean a £12.50 per day ULEZ charge for riders in London from April 2019.

The MCIA’s fact-heavy argument is that PTWs significantly reduce congestion in the capital, take up less road space and are far less damaging to air quality.

The organisation claims that Khan has an ‘ideological approach towards cycling’, which has resulted in lane width reductions that making motorcycle filtering more difficult. Members of the organisation also claim that he has no consistent policy on bus lane access for riders and will not recognise that most small PTWs, of any age, already meet the ultra-low emission criteria.

CEO Tony Campbell commented: ‘The Mayor clearly has his own agenda around motorcycles and scooters, which was not made clear to the riders who elected him following his promise to champion their contribution to reducing London’s congestion.

‘At a recent meeting with the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA), the Mayor said that he agreed PTWs had an important part to play. In doing so he also agreed to review his Transport Strategy, taking into account the feedback he had received during the consultation period. To quote Mr Khan: 'I have read through the industry’s response to my Transport Policy Document and can say I agree with most of what you are saying, not all but most'.

‘Given this statement, it is more than disappointing that the Mayor has decided to yet again ignore what is clear common sense for transport policy.

‘The MCIA strongly urges the Mayor to take another look at his plans to not only fulfil his pre-election commitment to riders and London voters, but also to honour his words at the recent meeting with Industry.'