London Mayor and TfL snub motorcyclists

Benefits of motorcycles and scooters in the capital are left out of transport strategy.

Following a public consultation on London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Transport Strategy, Transport for London (TfL) has decided to ignore the benefits of using powered two wheelers (PTWs). In doing so, it has disregarded calls to properly include hundreds of thousands of motorcycle and scooter riders in London’s Transport Strategy.

TfL has instead lumped commuter motorcycles and scooters in with cars, taxis and construction traffic, despite the fact that PTWs significantly reduce congestion in the capital, take up less road space and are far less damaging to air quality than larger vehicles.

The Motorcycle Industry Association believes congestion, air quality and rider safety can only be improved if the needs of this vulnerable user group are factored into road planning and transport strategy, in the same way that cycling is.

Motorcycle Industry Association chief executive

Tony Campbell said: “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