ULEZ is Here
And probably coming to a town near you soon
Dave Newman
London this week saw the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expand from the central Congestion Zone, out to the North & South Circular roads. Here is a horse’s mouth view point from Dave who now lives inside it.
The move can either be viewed as ground breaking or controversial
I would hope that we all accept that what comes out of our exhaust pipes is deadly. So with millions of vehicles in our city, clogging up the roads, the toxic consequences are undeniable. Like the tobacco companies in earlier times, the oil producers and motor manufacturers have chosen to ignore the science. As have most of us because we have been in love with the internal combustion engine and probably still are.
As motorcyclists we can argue that we are part of the solution rather than the problem. I live in what might be called inner London and my little bike does 90 plus miles to the gallon and I do not sit in traffic. While filtering is still allowed, we do it.
In fact I only use my bikes to go out of London for trail rides or other trips away from the city and now have to pay £12.50 for the privilege of riding the 4 miles or so to the edge of the ULEZ area. The same as a car or van that puts out loads more emissions. If I choose to stay out for the night and come back the next day that’s £25.
I do feel as though us motorbike users are collateral damage in the bid to clean our air.
Although we will probably not be as inconvenienced as many people who, rightly or wrongly, have become reliant on their older cars. It will be very hard for many to upgrade to a compliant vehicle.
A Gas Gas, ironic as it uses no gas
However I definitely recognise that we need to change and the writing has been on the wall for a good while now. For a few years I have been pontificating about getting an e-mountain bike and a couple of weeks ago took the expensive plunge and got myself one.
My plan is to use it in much the same way as I do my trail bike. To head out of town and hit the trails for as long as the battery lasts. This of course will vary as to how many big hills there are to go up and how strong my legs are on any given day. I will get to a station and get trains to near where I want to ride and go from there.
So far there has been one trip, mainly on the trails we already use in Kent, but with the bonus of going along other tracks that motorbikes are forbidden on.
Despite having quite a bit of off-road motorbike experience and even more road cycling, there is stuff I need to learn about this mountain bike malarky.
I intend to keep the Honda and KTM. I still enjoy using them and will want to go places the mountain bike won’t go.
Long term I’m sure that London will not be the only city affected and other Mayors and Council Leaders will be putting similar plans together. No matter what you think about it, change is a comin’. I’m sure there will be oil and petrol around for a good while yet but it is probably going to cost a lot more.
We have been lucky enough to have had the riding we have had, the future generations will be inventing new ways to get their riding thrills.
Thanks so much for this insight from inside the zone Dave.
Do you live inside the ULEZ zone or need to dip in and out of it sometimes? Or even if you don't what do you think of the idea and can you see it spreading? Let us know at [email protected] or drop us a message on Facebook
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