The Motor Cycle Industry Association has called on London mayor Sadiq Khan to stand by both his election promises to motorcyclists and his assurances to the motorcycle industry and reconsider his transport strategy – a strategy that as it stands “puts riders’ lives at greater risk”.
The strategy – which barely mentions motorcycles at all – was drawn up by Transport for London (TfL), the local government body responsible for the transport system in Greater London which is chaired by Khan.
The MCIA says: “Following a public consultation on the mayor’s transport strategy, TfL has decided to ignore the benefits of using powered two wheelers (PTWs). In doing so, it has placed the safety of hundreds of thousands of regular motorcycle and scooter riders at risk by disregarding calls to properly include them in London’s transport strategy.
“In its war on motorised transport, TfL is lumping 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.”
The MCIA says that before he was elected, Khan told rider groups and industry that “it is absolutely right for us to enable PTWs to play their part in delivering a less congested road network”.
“Since being elected,” the MCIA notes, “the mayor has failed to translate that promise into his transport strategy. This will result in more misery for London commuters and other road users. Whether the mayor likes it or not, motorised road transport will continue to be necessary for the day to day functioning of one of the world’s largest cities.”
The MCIA says Khan has “an ideological approach towards cycling”, reducing lane widths on several major routes making it difficult and more dangerous for PTWs to filter. “He has thus far failed to orchestrate a consistent policy on bus lane access for riders and will not recognise that most small PTWs, of any age, already meet the ultra-low emission criteria and in turn support their use accordingly.
“The MCIA believes that 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 way cycling is. This proposition is supported in an industry white paper.
Tony Campbell, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association, says: “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 MCIA the mayor said 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 yet again to ignore what is clear common sense for transport policy.
“The MCIA strongly urges the mayor to take another look at his plans not only to fulfil his pre-election commitment to riders and London voters, but also to honour his words at the recent meeting with Industry.”