Riding in London

[boyse7en]

I haven't to London for years, but need to go into Central London for a meeting in a few weeks time.

My F800ST shows as exempt from the ULEZ charge (hooray!) but the same page says that it is liable for the congestion charge.
I know motorcycles are supposed to be exempt from the CC, so is it OK to ride through, or has my bike been mis-labelled as a car or trike or something and i will be slapped with a fine?

[black-k1]

I think, but can't be sure, that it's CC exempt.

However, I'd suggest the bigger problem *is working out where you can and can't ride. Since COVID, much of the City is now no longer accessible and there are roads where buses, taxis AND MOTORCYCLES can go but cars can't which confuses the hell out of route planning applications.

ETA Looks pretty certain bikes are CC exempt.

https://www.thebikeinsurer.co.uk/riding-advice-and...

Edited by black-k1 on Friday 22 September 16:16

[boyse7en]

black-k1 said:

I think, but can't be sure, that it's CC exempt.

However, I'd suggest the bigger problem *is working out where you can and can't ride. Since COVID, much of the City is now no longer accessible and there are roads where buses, taxis AND MOTORCYCLES can go but cars can't which confuses the hell out of route planning applications.

ETA Looks pretty certain bikes are CC exempt.

https://www.thebikeinsurer.co.uk/riding-advice-and...

Edited by black-k1 on Friday 22 September 16:16

Yeah, everything i read says bikes are exempt, but then the TfL page says "if the Congestion Charge is shown below, you have to pay it". As it is shown, I'm not sure if my bike has been mistaken for a car.

Navigation is the next problem, but I'll worry about that later!

[66mpg]

I recently queried with TFL about my R60/7 because they said it was ULEZ exempt, because it’s an historic vehicle, but they showed it was liable to congestion charge. Their reply indicated that it would be identified by the Congestion Charge cameras as a motorbike and thus not be charged. I haven’t been into London yet to test that assertion.

[DirtyHarley]

I commute into central London every day - motorcycles are exempt from the congestion charge and are identified as such on the camers regardless so no worries there, and anything vaguely modern (post 2007) is ULEZ exempt too (pre 2007 - most are but need the certificate of exemption applied for and sent off to TFL).

Contrary to some here - I've never experienced any issues with accessibility in London with roads being closed to bikes or other 'since covid' issues (although I don't go near the Wharf or financial districts) - just be careful of bus routes - TFL owned red bus routes and MOST local borough owned bus lanes you can ride in without issue, but some local controlled bus lanes are bus/taxi/bicycle only and you'll get fined eg. Lambeth borough routes.

[Tbirdpete]

66mpg said:

I recently queried with TFL about my R60/7 because they said it was ULEZ exempt, because it’s an historic vehicle, but they showed it was liable to congestion charge. Their reply indicated that it would be identified by the Congestion Charge cameras as a motorbike and thus not be charged. I haven’t been into London yet to test that assertion.

Thanks for this info. My R75/6 is registered as historic yet the TfL website says it's not ULEZ excempt.

[black-k1]

DirtyHarley said:

I commute into central London every day - motorcycles are exempt from the congestion charge and are identified as such on the camers regardless so no worries there, and anything vaguely modern (post 2007) is ULEZ exempt too (pre 2007 - most are but need the certificate of exemption applied for and sent off to TFL).

Contrary to some here - I've never experienced any issues with accessibility in London with roads being closed to bikes or other 'since covid' issues (although I don't go near the Wharf or financial districts) - just be careful of bus routes - TFL owned red bus routes and MOST local borough owned bus lanes you can ride in without issue, but some local controlled bus lanes are bus/taxi/bicycle only and you'll get fined eg. Lambeth borough routes.

My pre COVID routes took me down Bishopsgate or past Bank. I can't do either now. London Bridge looks like it's buses and taxis only but bikes are also allowed.

[Simes205]

I ride through Lambeth, not had a bus lane fine.

[Birky_41]

I have been into central London half a dozen times this year

Cameras will pickup it's a bike you'll have no issues there

Just try keep your wits about you on the varying cameras, the bus lanes you can go in then can't and Prius drivers

It's 95% a certain demographic and you will genuinely question their life decisions behind a wheel at times

Riding progressively and always moving through traffic I find is key

[TheInternet]

...and give anything on two wheels with a delivery box on it a wide berth. Terrible combination of riders with zero training or skill under time pressure.

[mikey_b]

black-k1 said:

DirtyHarley said:

I commute into central London every day - motorcycles are exempt from the congestion charge and are identified as such on the camers regardless so no worries there, and anything vaguely modern (post 2007) is ULEZ exempt too (pre 2007 - most are but need the certificate of exemption applied for and sent off to TFL).

Contrary to some here - I've never experienced any issues with accessibility in London with roads being closed to bikes or other 'since covid' issues (although I don't go near the Wharf or financial districts) - just be careful of bus routes - TFL owned red bus routes and MOST local borough owned bus lanes you can ride in without issue, but some local controlled bus lanes are bus/taxi/bicycle only and you'll get fined eg. Lambeth borough routes.

My pre COVID routes took me down Bishopsgate or past Bank. I can't do either now. London Bridge looks like it's buses and taxis only but bikes are also allowed.

Agreed - it depends where you go. East London seems to have escaped the worst of it so far. My commute from Kent to Aldgate basically means Blackwall Tunnel and then turn left until you get into the City. No closing of routes out that way yet (and I don’t think there will be, as it’s the A13 which is a fairly major road) although the City end of that route is a lengthy 20mph section now (widely ignored by everyone including cyclists. Just take care near the schools).

[DirtyHarley]

Simes205 said:

I ride through Lambeth, not had a bus lane fine.

I got one about 2 years ago on Westminster Bridge Road just past Lambeth North underground station when I went over the bus lane line for about 5ft to get around a taxi turning around - been very wary of Lambeth bus lanes since.

mikey_b said:

Agreed - it depends where you go. East London seems to have escaped the worst of it so far. My commute from Kent to Aldgate basically means Blackwall Tunnel and then turn left until you get into the City. No closing of routes out that way yet (and I don’t think there will be, as it’s the A13 which is a fairly major road) although the City end of that route is a lengthy 20mph section now (widely ignored by everyone including cyclists. Just take care near the schools).

I come in from east kent via the A2/M2, coming off just before the Blackwall tunnel to go through blackheath, and then go through to Westminster area over either Westminster/Lambeth/Vauxhall bridge depending on how I feel that day. So on my route I've escaped the 'since covid' changes; but not doubting its an issue for some.