Paris restricts motorcycle use
But it's not a discriminatory measure – cars are also included as the city's air pollution has soared in recent times, nearly double above the acceptable limitTemporary restrictions have been imposed on car and motorcycle use in Paris designed to tackle air pollution, using an ‘odds and evens’ system based on the last digit of the numberplate.
The drastic move – last used in 1997 -- comes in the wake of air pollution levels in Paris and surrounding areas, which exceeded safe levels five days in a row. Smoggy conditions caused by warm days and cold nights have prevented pollution from dispersing.
Cars and motorcycles will have to abide by the ban from 5:30am to midnight. Hundreds of police officers will be enforcing the restrictions, with a small fine given to those who disobey.
Electric and hybrid vehicles are exempt from the restrictions, as are cars carrying three or more passengers.
The government is encouraging other methods of travel by making public transport free for three days. It has also made parking free for cars that are under restriction from entering the capital.
Paris is now said to rival Beijing as one of the world's most polluted cities. On March 14, pollution levels hit 180 microgrammes per cubic metre, which is 100 microgrammes above the particulate safe limit.
The government will review the pollution levels before considering whether the car and motorcycle ban should be extended.
Of course, there’s always a way around the restrictions if you have two cars or bikes with internal combustion engines – one numberplate ending in an odd number, and the other even.
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