British Government Reviews Motorcycles

Britain’s Ministerial Advisory Group for Motorcycles revealed a report which the country’s motorcycle trade association calls “a landmark in the development of policies towards motorcycling.”
The report, Advisory Group on Motorcycling: Final Report To Government, completes the work of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling, which was set up by the government in 1999 to consider the role of motorcycling within integrated transport policies and to analyze how motorcycling can contribute to reducing traffic pollution and congestion on British roads.
Important issues such as motorcycle safety have been a key focus, along with an analysis of initiatives such as allowing motorcycles to make more widespread use of bus lanes and how improvements can be made to motorcycle parking provision. The report represents a vital contribution to the government’s thinking as it develops the National Motorcycle Strategy, which is scheduled for completion later this year.
The Final Report is believed to be the first detailed consideration of motorcycling policies undertaken by a government in Europe and is the result of five years of positive dialogue and partnership between the industry, government and other motorcycle groups.
“The report is a real landmark in motorcycling,” said Craig Carey-Clinch, director of public affairs for The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) based in London. “This is the first time that motorcycling’s role has been considered in such depth and the first time that motorcycling groups have presented a policy document to government which has been developed under the chairmanship of the Road Safety Minister himself.
“Safety issues have been considered at depth, with new research adding to our understanding of motorcycle safety. The report shows that in addition to improvements to rider training, safety often goes beyond the rider, with recommendations showing that both government and local authorities need to consider how the transport environment and infrastructure impacts on motorcycle safety.
“After decades of policy stagnation, we will be disappointed if the strategy doesn’t give clear direction to policy makers at both local and national level to develop real policies for motorcycle safety access and security and to stop ignoring the positive role that motorcycling plays in helping to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.”