Congestion charge going up to £25 for big motors (4X4 and sports cars)

So the Congestion Charge is no longer a charge on congestion, it's now a charge on emissions. That doesn't bode well for bikes, as our argument for exemption is that we don't cause congestion. We can't claim that we don't cause emissions.

[JediGoat]

Originally Posted by bluethunder

Though 4x4 in London is a waste of time, I lived in the countryside and we have been fine without one why you need one in the city

I'm not picking on you Chris, but you have put into words what many people grumble about.

However, people in glass houses.......

Some people would argue why do you need a Supersports bike in London?

Jo <- not suggesting that the Sv is a supersports, but you get my drift

IMHO until you get all the main industrial polluters, like China/India etc, to sort themselves out....lowering the emmissions from cars in London is a pointless drop in the ocean.

'Gas guzzlers' for everyone.

Originally Posted by ASM-Forever

IMHO until you get all the main industrial polluters, like China/India etc, to sort themselves out....lowering the emmissions from cars in London is a pointless drop in the ocean.

'Gas guzzlers' for everyone.

Since I ride in London every day, the amount of pollution in the air here affects me directly. The pollution in China doesn't.

Originally Posted by teriyakimonkey

I can't understand how bikes haven't been targeted at all yet if it is purely a green thing as I reckon I must use as much petrol in my bike as the missus does in her Ka(ck) for the same mileage.

Originally Posted by wyrdness

So the Congestion Charge is no longer a charge on congestion, it's now a charge on emissions. That doesn't bode well for bikes, as our argument for exemption is that we don't cause congestion. We can't claim that we don't cause emissions.

Don't think this will be a problem, especially now small cars are exempt. Although some bikes may well be on a par with small cars re fuel consumption/emissions, it would be tricky to argue for exempting cars and not bikes!

Why is it I think its a good idea... though the congestion charge is about congestion, I think you need to get a even balance. So bringing down emissions is also a good idea, bikes themselfs do produce emission, but nothing on the scale of most cars, mainly cus they are not idling is traffic as long.

If someone builds a good electric/diesel/oil bike then I would happy ride it, I was very interested in the StarTwin but that seemed to have fizzed off.

Stealth tax.

Goes for easy targets (those who can pay).

Politically biased - plays on common predjudices within the populace (bloody chelsea tractors).

Won't affect congestion.

Localised so won't benefit environment.

[chris8886]

Originally Posted by Xan173

Stealth tax.

Goes for easy targets (those who can pay).

Politically biased - plays on common predjudices within the populace (bloody chelsea tractors).

Won't affect congestion.

Localised so won't benefit environment.

totally agree!!

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Xan173

Stealth tax.

Well it's pretty visible right now, especially those who have to pay (a real example of stealth tax was the tax introduced on pensions)

Goes for easy targets (those who can pay).

That is the basis of all good taxation. What would you rather, that we taxed those that can't pay some more

Politically biased - plays on common prejudices within the populace (bloody Chelsea tractors).

Don't know how to react to this - shouldn't we give the populace what they want

Won't affect congestion.

I can probably filter passed a small car easier than a Chelsea tractor or fat Lamborghini, so it will make a difference

Localised so won't benefit environment.

Every little helps and it will be effective where we are as an air pollution measure if not a global warming measure(as Wyrdness said above.)

Originally Posted by shop_addict

I'm not picking on you Chris, but you have put into words what many people grumble about.

However, people in glass houses.......

Some people would argue why do you need a Supersports bike in London?

Jo <- not suggesting that the Sv is a supersports, but you get my drift

No problem, but I do see it as an easy way out for those in power it does wind me up that they target things that aren't the problem. Well look at this any bike, supersport or not will casue less pollution (yes it will casue it will spend less time stuck in traffic than anything else) you will need less parking spaces, how bike can you park where a range rover would be? It just goes on....

Way head good public tranist, good road condition (less crashes, less time they are dug up ect, hence less congestion) and proper cycle/motorbike lanes and parking where sucm can't get to our bikes.

Off couse who does this tax hit, the poorer people of society (who can lease afford it as other as have said) not the rich and also business, which will push up prices and inflation, the way that is going you can forgot about lower interest rate, you see how it just all snowballs? Its so easy to stop
The law is an ass.

Teriyakimonkey yes I do feel better thx!