With the deadline for the planned extension of the London Mayor’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) coming on fast, some riders of older powered two wheelers may need to check that they are not going to be hit by a daily charge for riding a polluting bike.

Mayor Sadiq Khan plans to expand ULEZ to cover the whole of London on August 29, at which point the standard emissions for motorcycles will be Euro 3 for motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles and quadricycles. Those that are not compliant will be liable for the £12.50 daily charge.

The scheme is all part of the Mayor’s plans to clean up London’s air and reduce pollution.

There’s two bits of good news, though. First, generally speaking, Euro 3 engines are those on bikes registered with the DVLA after July 2007. So if your bike was registered after that date, you should be okay.

Not sure what its emissions are? Check to see if your bike is affected here!

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/

However, if you ride an old bike, there is some help on hand. Transport for London has broadened its vehicle and bike scrappage scheme, to cover families receiving child benefits from the end of July.

The move means nearly 900,000 London families receiving child benefits can take advantage of the scheme, which pays up to £1,000 if you scrap your old, polluting bike.

You can then spend the money you get from Transport for London on a newer, cleaner machine. Cleaner city, better ride. That sounds like a win-win!

Full details of what you have to do to claim the money can be found on the TfL website, at https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/scrappage-schemes

Worth checking out, you will be doing your bit to ride in a cleaner, fresher city.