Led by Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas and countersigned by 26 other members of parliament, the letter to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves asks for an ‘urgent review’ on the way in which Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is worked out for bikes.
Currently road tax is calculated by engine capacity, with a year’s road tax for small capacity bikes (up to 150cc) costing £27, rising in brackets up to £125 per year for machines over 600cc. The group argues that motorcycles are among the lightest and least damaging vehicles on public roads, and that using engine size is not the correct way to calculate tax – especially as cars are assessed on CO2 emissions and heavy goods vehicles on their weight and impact on road wear.
The letter, which is signed by six former cabinet members, including hardcore motorcyclist Steve Barclay, MP for North East Cambridgeshire, argues that ‘… the current system is anomalous within the Government’s own framework. VED for cars is linked to environmental performance. VED for HGVs reflects road impact. VED for motorcycles reflects neither. Engine size is not a reliable indicator of emissions, road damage or mileage, and its continued use as sole determinant of motorcycle VED lacks a coherent policy rationale.’
The letter goes on to request the Chancellor addresses three points: explaining the policy rationale and why it differs to that of other types of vehicle, to commit to reviewing the current policy and to engage with the motorcycle sector and stakeholders as part of that review.
The MPs point out that motorcycles contribute positively to wider transport objectives, including reducing congestion, needing less road space and providing practical, low emission commuting solutions. While they state they don’t automatically endorse a blanket reduction in road tax for all motorbikes, they are keen to adopt a system in line with the ones used for other types of vehicle. Road tax premiums for expensive and heavy polluting new cars, for example, can run as high as £5,690, while buyers of ultra low emissions vehicles are charged just £115.
Whether this latest call brings any changes remains to be seen but, having often been seen as neglected by politicians, it’s good to see the positive side of motorcycling being promoted in parliament.
The latest news comes on the back of an ongoing consultation on the future of motorcycle licencing, which will hopefully result in changes to the current testing and licencing system – making it easier and less expensive for new riders to get on the road, while improving training standards.
