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MAG secures reassurances from GCP on Cambridge Sustainable Travel Zone.
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has secured reassurances on motorcycle
charging decisions from the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP). In a
meeting held on 30th November the GCP assured MAG that the final
decision on charges for motorcycles in the proposed Sustainable Travel
Zone will be made on the basis of evidence submitted.
MAG met the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Transport Director, Peter
Blake, and Director of City Access, Lynne Miles. In a robust exchange
MAG Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, asked for
the evidence base that justified the proposed charges for motorcycles.
Peter Blake explained that GCP welcomed any evidence-based response to
the proposals. When pressed for data on motorcycle safety, Lynne Miles
revealed that Department for Transport (DfT) headline statistics were
the basis. But she accepted that a more nuanced review of data for
urban specific casualties may be more relevant than the headline
national statistics. Colin pointed to evidence from the introduction of
the London Congestion Charge, where motorcycles became more prevalent
whilst motorcycle casualties reduced.
Issues such as the effect of reduced congestion on increased road speeds
were discussed, as well as the evidence for reduced congestion and
emissions from modal shift from cars to motorcycles.
Peter Blake made it clear that the proposed charges for motorcycles are
not set in stone. All evidence submitted by MAG and individual riders
in response to the consultation will be evaluated and presented
faithfully to the Council members who will make the final decision.
Following the meeting, Colin Brown commented:
“I am content that the meeting will have helped put the final decision
on motorcycle charges under much closer scrutiny. The fact that Peter
Blake confirmed that the charge for motorcycles is likely to be given
much thought is reassuring. I am convinced that if the full evidence
that we are putting together in our formal written response is viewed in
an unbiased manner there can really only be one outcome. Any charge for
motorcycles would be illogical.”
MAG also asked to be involved at a much earlier stage in future
decision-making. The fact that motorcycling as a transport mode is not
well understood by many policymakers makes engagement with experts more
pressing than for other modes.
MAG is calling on riders to make sure that they put forward any evidence
that they feel would help the case.
Colin said:
“A consultation is not a referendum, so evidence is key. However, the
decision-makers are still politicians. Weight of opinion is relevant
here. I would encourage Cambridgeshire riders to also lobby their local
Councillors directly in addition to responding to the consultation.”
The consultation remains open until midday on 23 December 2022. Visit
https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/making-connections-2022 for
details on how to respond.