Some motorcyclists might just want to be free to ride, but from next year the free ride will finally end on CityLink, when toll road operator Transurban begins tolling motorcyclists for the first time.

Motorbike riders have had free access to CityLink since the road opened at the turn of the millennium, thanks to an absence of technology that could photograph rear number plates.

But Transurban has recently upgraded its tolling technology and from January 1 will start to toll motorcyclists, charging them half the rate of cars.

An estimated 3500 motorcycles a day use CityLink, about 1 per cent of the toll road's daily traffic.

Peter Baulch, deputy chairman of the Victorian Motorcycle Council, said most motorcyclists understood and accepted they would one day have to pay CityLink tolls like all other vehicles.

"We're already tolled on EastLink. We've enjoyed the privilege of not having to pay on CityLink for some time now, mainly due to the inadequacies of the tolling equipment," Mr Baulch said.

"There are some motorcyclists who think that because we contribute significantly to decongestion of traffic, and we reduce the parking problems in the city, that perhaps tolls should be free, but overall I think motorcyclists are happy to operate on a user-pays basis."

Toll road operator Transurban said CityLink is the only toll road in Australia that does not toll motorcycles. Motorcyclists will not have to carry e-tags, but can set up an account if they expect to use the road regularly, the company said.