Deputation - Motorcycle parking permits review
The document ‘Motorcycle parking permits review – summary and recommendations report’ contains serious factual errors.
Hackney should urgently withdraw this document, reassess the consultation in light of accurate evidence, and revisit decisions based upon it.
Some examples of errors are:
· "respondents felt motorcycles were better for the environment compared to cars, vans and lorries. However this is contradicted by research that shows that motorcycles contribute heavily to dangerous nitrous oxide (NO2), and Particulate Matter (PM10) pollutants on a par with vehicle counterparts."
· "Research also shows that motorcycles are proven to emit less CO2, but much more harmful levels of nitrogen oxides than cars."
· "research has shown that motorcycles emit nitrogen oxide (NO2) within the range of petrol and diesel cars."
These statements are all false. Official National Statistics produced by BEIS and Defra show that PTWs produce around 70% less NO2 and 50% less PM than cars on a per km basis. In addition, NO2 is nitrogen dioxide not nitrous oxide or nitrogen oxide as referred to in the report.
These errors appear to show a misunderstanding of the issue and are as a result of using inappropriate and unreliable research which vastly overstates PTW impact.
These errors are important for the following reasons:
· The February 2021 Cabinet decision on motorcycle parking permits was made on the basis of incorrect evidence
· The errors themselves were fundamental to the decision and were used as a justification for the decision
· The belief in this incorrect evidence led to officers dismissing the correct evidence when it was presented, as is seen in the report: "respondents felt motorcycles were better for the environment […] this is contradicted by research […] "
· The majority view of consultation respondents in opposing charging for PTWs was dismissed on the basis that a majority were also concerned about air quality. This logic was also based on the false belief that PTWs are more polluting than cars
· The reliance on these errors has led to and is leading to incorrect decisions. The errors resulted in a disproportionate view of PTW impact on others, which was used to justify a disproportionate impact on PTWs
· The council has a responsibility to make decisions that are evidenced based, fair and proportionate, and cannot make decisions based on flawed evidence
The deputation will be introduced by Cathy Phillpotts.
Minutes:
Deputy Mayor Bramble explained that a deputation had been received from Rachel Mawby and Cathy Philpott on behalf of the Motorcycle Action Group. Cathy Philpott was invited to introduce the deputation.
Cathy Philpot introduced the deputation, it was stated that Hackney should urgently withdraw the Motorcycle parking permits review – summary and recommendations report’ and reassess the consultation in light of accurate evidence, and revisit decisions based upon it. Some examples of errors were highlighted:
· "respondents felt motorcycles were better for the environment compared to cars, vans and lorries. However this is contradicted by research that shows that motorcycles contribute heavily to dangerous nitrous oxide (NO2), and Particulate Matter (PM10) pollutants on a par with vehicle counterparts."
· "Research also shows that motorcycles are proven to emit less CO2, but much more harmful levels of nitrogen oxides than cars."
· "research has shown that motorcycles emit nitrogen oxide (NO2) within the range of petrol and diesel cars."
· These statements are all false. Official National Statistics produced by BEIS and Defra show that PTWs produce around 70% less NO2 and 50% less PM than cars on a per km basis. In addition, NO2 is nitrogen dioxide not nitrous oxide or nitrogen oxide as referred to in the report.
· These errors appear to show a misunderstanding of the issue and are as a result of using inappropriate and unreliable research which vastly overstates PTW impact.
These errors are important for the following reasons:
· The February 2021 Cabinet decision on motorcycle parking permits was made on the basis of incorrect evidence .
· The errors themselves were fundamental to the decision and were used as a justification for the decision .
· The belief in this incorrect evidence led to officers dismissing the correct evidence when it was presented, as is seen in the report: "respondents felt motorcycles were better for the environment […] this is contradicted by research […] ".
· The majority view of consultation respondents in opposing charging for PTWs was dismissed on the basis that a majority were also concerned about air quality. This logic was also based on the false belief that PTWs are more polluting than cars.
· The reliance on these errors has led to and is leading to incorrect decisions. The errors resulted in a disproportionate view of PTW impact on others, which was used to justify a disproportionate impact on PTWs.
· The council has a responsibility to make decisions that are evidenced based, fair and proportionate, and cannot make decisions based on flawed evidence.
Deputy Mayor Bramble invited Councillor Mete Coban to respond to the Deputation, in doing so the following key points were highlighted:
· Councillor Coban thanked Cathy for bringing this deputation.
· The important role that motorcycles, scooters and mopeds play in the Hackney economy was recognised, but it was also highlighted that all forms of vehicles, including motorbikes, produce emissions, and that a significant number of people commute into work in Hackney by motorbike each day.
· Hackney Council has been clear in its aim to avoid a vehicle-led recovery from Covid, and is committed to improving local air quality and tackling the climate emergency.
· As part of this commitment, and following a full public consultation in 2020, Cabinet agreed in February 2021 to place motorcycles on the same footing as all other vehicles, with permit prices based solely on the emissions they produce, as recorded by the DVLA.
· These changes would allow businesses, delivery riders and other organisations that provide valuable services to continue to do so, while also discouraging the use of motorbikes for commuting, which contribute to local emissions.
· Councillor Coban understood the concerns raised over the paper submitted to Cabinet in February 2021, and was grateful for Cathy highlighting these. Officers have reviewed the comments you have made, and have agreed to correct the report, which will be re-published on our website.
· Nevertheless, the information that was presented to the public in the form of the consultation was accurate, Councillor Coban satisfied that the issues raised are of no material impact to the finalised proposals that were presented and approved at Cabinet in February 2021.