Motorcyclists to protest against ‘cash grab’ Ulez expansion

Riders will gather at six locations around London before descending on Surrey’s Box Hill on Sunday.

Thousands of motorcyclists are expected to ride together in protest against the extension of the capital’s ultra-low emission zone (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

Motorcyclists opposed to the expansion of London’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) will ride together on the M25 motorway on Sunday.

They will gather at six locations on the outskirts of the capital before descending on Surrey’s Box Hill.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan will extend the Ulez zone to cover the entire city from August 29.

You need to have pressure on those in power to get policy change

Protest organiser Phil Elliott

Non-compliant vehicles that enter the zone are required to pay a £12.50 daily fee or face a fine.

Protest organiser Phil Elliott, 59, who has been campaigning against vehicle emissions-based charging in London since 2007, branded Ulez expansion “a complete and utter cash grab”.

He told the PA news agency: “There’s been various protests around London. Being a bike rider myself I thought I’d throw myself in there and do one.

“It’s people like us who stand at protests in the rain in Trafalgar Square, shouting and hollering, that have made politicians react.

“You need to have pressure on those in power to get policy change.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last month urged Mr Khan to “think twice” about Ulez expansion, while on Monday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer suggested cities should look at other options for tackling air pollution.

Mr Khan has previously admitted his decision to expand the Ulez was “very difficult” but insisted it would “see five million more Londoners being able to breathe cleaner air”.

Asked how many motorcyclists he expected to take part in Sunday’s event, Mr Elliott said: “A couple of thousand. But it’s been tweeted far and wide.

“I’ve never seen anything advertised quite as big as this.”

Transport for London (TfL) says motorbikes must meet Euro 3 emissions standards to avoid the Ulez charge, which generally means those registered from July 2007.

Hugely popular and part of our culture and way of life, (motorbikes) are also now coming under attack by Sadiq Khan’s unnecessary, undemocratic, unjustified and unfair Ulez imposition

Alan Miller, Together

Mr Elliott said: “Motorbikes are part of the solution not the problem.

“Two wheels, an engine and the ability to move easily around should be promoted not penalised.

“For many, motorbikes are a passion, a lifestyle or a necessity that have been proven to reduce congestion and pollution.”

A spokesperson for the mayor of London said: “More than nine out of 10 motorbikes seen in the existing Ulez are already compliant and will not have to pay the charge.

“For the small minority of riders that currently will have to pay the charge, the mayor has announced a major widening of the scrappage fund from Monday to make the scheme available to all Londoners with non Ulez-compliant motorbikes, while increasing the amount of money that small businesses and charities can receive.”