MOTORBIKES, scooters and mopeds which cause the most air pollution will be banned from Barcelona city centre by the end of this year between 07.00 and 20.00 on working days, the council has announced.
The move, which will take place from December, comes hot on the heels of the General Directorate of Traffic's (DGT's) new 'sticker scheme' which codes motorcycles according to their CO2 and NOx emissions levels.
These stickers, costing €5 each and available from post offices, come in categories of 'B', 'C', 'Eco' and 'Zero Emissions' and, although they are voluntary, they are highly advisable for the least-polluting motorcycles as they will show clearly that these vehicles are allowed into the central part of Barcelona which has been labelled a 'Low Emissions Zone'.
Bike owners are recommended to place their stickers on a prominent part so traffic police can see them easily without having to pull the rider up.
According to the DGT, around 40% of motorcycles registered in Barcelona fall into the 'green' sticker category C, whilst 19% are a B, 1% are Zero Emissions, and the remaining 40% are not eligible for stickers since they are considered too polluting.
These will be the ones banned from the centre of the metropolitan hub.
