Bikes excluded from congestion charging

Motorcycling has been handed a massive potential boost with the news that bikes are excluded from controversial plans to make motorists pay per mile.

With talk of commuter runs along the M6 around Birmingham or the M25 around London adding several pounds each day to a driver’s travel bill, the alternative of getting on two wheels will make more sense than ever before.

The scheme, officially revealed on Monday by the Department of Transport’s Commission for Integrated Transport (CFIT), would see all cars and lorries fitted with satellite tracking systems, allowing the Government to tax drivers depending on the amount they contribute to congestion. The busier the road you use, the more you’ll get charges.

But the 39-page report never refers to bikes. The CFIT reckons they help prevent congestion rather than adding to it.

CFIT spokesman Martin Helm said: ” Motorcycles haven’t been looked at specifically, as we are mainly looking at cars and lorries. The decision whether to include bikes would be one for the Government as and when the plan is implemented.

” But motorcycles are not part of the problem as they don’t cause congestion – in fact, they’re part of the solution. ”

MORE ON THIS IN MCN, OUT ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2002.

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