Boris Johnson to ban classic bikes?

It sounds like another silly season scare story, and maybe it is. But this one's giving us the willies, not least because the threat has already been partly turned into a reality.

Put simply, Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, wants to clean up the air and make it breathable again. A worthy aim, we'd all agree. Trouble is, the latest discussions aimed at cleansing the British capital's atmosphere of noxious hydrocarbons and sundry carcinogens could scoop up hundreds of thousands of classic vehicles from motorcycles to cars to trucks to buses to anything else that rolls down the pike.

It's all to do with the ULEZ, which stands for Ultra Low Emission Zone. The idea is that by 2020, only very low emission vehicles and electric vehicles will be permitted within the London Congestion Zone area.

Clearly, classic bikes and cars will fall foul of this. A similar move has already happened with the introduction of the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) regulations on 1st January 2012; rules that have forced owners of diesel vans REGISTERED before 1st January 2002 with a kerbside weight of 1.206 tonnes/3.5 tonnes gross to pay a £100 per day charge for entering the capital.

The cost is even higher for trucks [see Sump December 2011 for more on this].

In London's City Hall, the arguments have begun about how best to introduce the 2020 clean air rules and how to police the new regime. But the underlying point is that the classic vehicle world has largely been caught napping over this one. If "dirty" classic vehicles are banned from the London Congestion Zone, it might be that only certain hours will apply, or that a blanket ban will be introduced. That could mean NO classic vehicles whatsoever in Central London.

Concerned? You ought to be. If London makes such a move, other British cities will sooner or later surely follow, and classic vehicles will be marginalised. Never mind that the impact of classic bikes and cars on the environment is negligible. Never mind that classic motor vehicles are part of British culture. Never mind that the famous London to Brighton Run will be hit. Never mind that many classic bikes and classic car businesses will be seriously damaged. Never mind that many mainstream bike business will also suffer. Never mind that Heathrow bound jets spew out thousand of tons of noxious fume over London every year.

The call to clean up the air is underway, and classic motor vehicles are (perhaps inadvertently) in the firing line unless and until we do something about it. But what can you personally do?

▲ London's CIty Hall. It isn't just the building that's a little skewed. The politics and the thinking are often a little wonky too. Let's help straighten it out.

Try this:

1. Email Boris Johnson with your concerns. Explain that classic vehicles are part of the general London backdrop. Explain that the impact of classic vehicles upon the atmosphere is negligible. Repeat: negligible. It very literally isn't measurable. Explain that many London businesses depend on classic vehicles for their living. Explain that classic vehicles are very good for tourism. Here's where to email Boris:

mayor@london.gov.uk

2. Share this information with your biking clubs or forums, and tell your friends and ask them to spread the word via Facebook, Twitter, etc.

3. Tell your local member of parliament REGARDLESS of where you happen to be in the country, and ask for support. This really can work and can lead to a few questions here or there in Parliament that can make a real difference to the debate. But MPs have to know that there are many concerned constituents before they'll act. Make a fuss. Be polite, but forceful. Express your concerns. Keep it brief.

4. Write a letter or send an email to your local newspaper. It's important to raise the profile of this issue. Classic bikes and other classic vehicles are good for business and they make life more interesting. Look up the addresses of your local papers and write to them.

5. Write to David Cameron and ask for support. It's not really his concern, but he might jerk Boris's lead. Email him here:

Contact 10 Downing Street

6. Write to the Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughin and ask for his support. It might help. Email him here:

patrick.mcloughlin.mp@parliament.uk

Above all else, don't ignore this matter. It might resolve itself. Alternately, you might just find yourself with yet another reason not to ride your classic bike.

Also keep in mind that Boris Johnson is not the best friend of bikers. However, he did relent on Transport for London bus lanes and open them to motorcycles. He's not stupid, and he is approachable and generally responsive.

— Sump