The UK's congested roads: tackling a city commute by tram, car - or maximum smiles-per-hour classic bike

08 January 2025

London is host to Europe's most congested roads, according to a report produced by transportation software house Inrix - meaning, as many of us know, driving in the UK is no fun.

The UK's capital's drivers spend on average 101 hours a year stuck in traffic, while UK cities Bristol, Leeds and Manchester filled the other top spots when it comes to clogged-up commuting.

But there's an answer to the frustration - and it's in the form of two wheels... classic two wheelers. First I'll describe the bureaucracy bit, then the fun and satisfying part.

While London-centric bikers need to check if their machine is charge-free to ride into Central London - it all depends upon emissions levels, and you can check your bike's status on the Transport for London website - there are currently no charges in any other UK cities.

But the magic word "Historic" on your bike's V5 document means you're a definite for a free ride into London. But, be mindful: you have to pro-actively contact DVLA to have its taxation status changed to "Historic" as it ends the 40th year since it was built or first registered.

But we're not here to spell out the paperwork hassle, we're here to flag the fun and one-upmanship of beating the traffic (and charges) by taking your classic bike anywhere you want.

I've experimented with the various forms of transport available to me when travelling in to my closest city - Manchester. It's currently reviewing congestion charges, but has also been experimenting with turning dual-carriageway roads into the city centre into single carriageway, with one lane previously open to all now dedicated to bicycles.

Mayhem, to say the least. Absolute uproar and outrage across the city and its commuter satellite areas, and the traffic chaos has been widely reported.

Manchester has a pretty good tram system, but my route means a £7.10 return ticket price, plus parking cost near the station - around £6 a day, and a 35 minute tram journey. Granted, in fine weather rather than taking the car, it's a nice walk. So, at best an hour or so travel, and up to around £13 unavoidable cost.

Brave the entire drive into the centre - ten miles as the crow flies - then bank on at least an hour's drive each way, sometimes double in bad-weather rush hours, and £20-plus for anything like a convenient centrally-located parking bay, then a walk. In the car, the computer says 18mpg in such traffic: so around £7 in fuel, plus the other costs - insurance, road tax, wear and tear. With parking, that's £27 for anything over six hours.

So, to the two-wheeled solution.

Depending upon the weather, season, or storage/maintenance/restoration cycle, I have a choice. The biggest is a Honda CB1000 Super Four; the smallest a 1983 Yamaha LB50.

I love the CB1000 - currently getting its carbs fettled ready for Spring time - and I do take it into the city centre. It's a big bike, though.

The Yamaha 50, a model restricted to 30mph, is, frankly, scary in traffic. It stays at home.

Sitting in between are a 1972 Yamaha DT2, and a 1974 Yamaha XS500, both undergoing winter maintenance ready for the first signs of warmer weather - but the XS500 is my most likely winter bike.

The DT is a great city-commute bike for me. Being very light, and sitting relatively high, it's great for "lane carving". It's also nippy. Sometimes the handlebars mean tight squeezes between vehicles in traffic - so that means the XS500 comes into its own, with narrower bars.

"Lane carving" or "lane splitting" seems to draw different reactions from other road users. Providing it's done safely, it's legal to make your way through traffic jams. In London, it's normal and accepted. Outside London, some fellow road users are bloody-minded and close the gaps, a few make space. While in London just about anything on two wheels can make its way to the front of traffic light queues, woe betide such behaviour in most other cities. Anger can easily be provoked.

But the great thing about taking your classic bike, or any bike - in preference to car or public transport - is not just the independence and agility, but the convenience at both ends of the journey.

Granted, it takes ten minutes to get your gear on, but in most cities you'll be able to park your bike for free often within paces on your work or meeting destination.

So, on my benchmark journey from home to a central Manchester meeting - and it'll be much the same for other cities - public transport at least an hour, at around £13.00, and no fun, compounded by the rush-hour risk of picking up all manner of bugs in a crammed carriage.

By car: stressful and expensive. My typical door-to-door home to city centre journey took 90 minutes and costs more than £25 return.

By bike, including getting my gear on, door-to-door was 35 minutes on the DT2. Parking was free, fuel around £3. That's half the best time taken by other means, and paltry out-of-pocket costs

But the fun and satisfaction? Priceless.

However, there is one delay risk: park up a classic, and a passer-by will inevitably strike up a conversation.