Bikers against the ZFE in Toulouse: why there will be no derogation
For Toulouse Métropole, the law does not allow bikers to be excluded from the ZFE. A provisional exemption to a revenge has been granted for vintage cars.
More than five hundred motorcyclists and around 40 motorists blocked the ring road on Saturday afternoon in protest against the Low Emission Zone. The ZFE, whose date of entry into force is still not known, plans to gradually exclude the most polluting vehicles each year. In particular, the Crit’Air 3 for individuals in 2024, the number of which will be 45,000, estimates the Metropolis today.
The bikers, who explain that they are not the source of pollution and traffic jams, first ask to escape the device. On this subject, François Chollet, vice-president of the Metropolis in charge of the environment, refers to the law in force which, he explains, does not allow such a derogation, he argues, referring to the law. Climate and Resilience promulgated on August 22.
On the other hand, with regard to collections whose owners express the same claim, the Metropolis has granted a provisional exemption of three years. They will therefore only be concerned from 2026. And for the final exemption, Jean-Luc Moudenc, the President of the Metropolis, wrote to this effect to the Minister for Ecological Transition, Barbara Pompili.
Exposed inhabitants
This derogation is the only one which will appear playable in the eyes of François Chollet. The demonstrators on Saturday also demand that the part of the western ring road located between Bordelongue and the Minimes, not be part of the ZFE, and that for all motorists. “Why did we choose to include this portion of the ring road? Because 95% of the population exposed to pollution every day is located nearby ”, justifies the elected official who notes the convergent position of the prefecture.
Another request: a derogation as well for all from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. as on weekends. The answer is of the same order. “Our models have shown that these scenarios resulted in a 30% reduction in the efficiency of the system. “
The vice-president of the Metropolis then considers that the community is at the rendezvous of financial assistance to change vehicles. The Metropolis premium “comes to support the first of the State. “Finally, if a” leisure “use, which authorizes the exclusion of old vehicles from the device,” can be understood “, François Chollet also affirms that it is up to the government or Parliament to make the decision. When asked, the prefecture did not respond to our request.