Bikes to ride free in London

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has announced he’s going ahead with plans to charge drivers £5 a day to use central London roads. But motorcyclists and scooter riders will go free.

Faced with forking out £25 a week on top of fuel and other car costs, many drivers could find themselves tempted by the many bargain scooter deals currently on offer.

Those commuting from further afield may be lining up at dealers to buy something a bit bigger.

The area concerned is circumscribed by a ring road running from King’s Cross station in the north to Elephant and Castle in the south, Victoria station in the west to Fenchurch Street in the East. It covers around eight square miles.

The rule will apply 7am to 6.30pm each week day. It is due to be implemented from February 17, 2003, should the Conservative’s fail in their bid to get the Government to block it.

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