Road pricing for bikes a step closer

Road pricing for bikes has not been ruled out in moves to allow local councils to introduce pay-as-you-go schemes.

The measure paves the way for us to be charged along with other vehicle users, even though the stated aim is to cut congestion.

Over 5000 people signed a petition on the Downing Street website opposing the charges for bikes on the basis that motorcycling is non-congesting. Number 10 has so far failed to respond, over a month after the petition was submitted.

A Parliamentary Bill will give councils the “freedom and flexibility” to introduce local road pricing schemes. Ten areas have already been asked to plan pilot schemes to be approved later this year, with Manchester expected to be the first to unveil proposals.

The first schemes could be up and running within five years.

A provision of the Draft Local Transport Bill, published yesterday, is that schemes should be “interoperable,” indicating that any move to include bikes will be consistent across areas.

Vehicles included will be charged up to £1.50 a mile and are likely to have to carry electronic tags allowing movements to be tracked by satellite or roadside beacons.
Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said the decision to extend road pricing nationally will be “taken only in the light of further practical experience of local schemes”.

A three-month consultation is underway for interested parties to have their say before the final Bill is drawn up. The consultation paper, also published yesterday, says: “No decision has yet been taken on whether or not to introduce a national road pricing scheme… We have made clear that the earliest such a scheme could be introduced would be the middle of next decade.” 

See the consultation paper: www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/localtransportbill/