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MCI Launches General Election Campaign with 'Manifesto For Motorcycling'
7th April 2005
MCI has today launched its 'Motorcycling Manifesto' for the post-election Government. The Manifesto calls on the Government to act in several key areas such as bringing fairness to the motorcycle licensing regime, forcing local authorities to think bike in their transport policies, implementing the new National Motorcycle Strategy and providing funding to the successful police-led 'Bikesafe' initiative.
The Manifesto has been launched in the wake of a survey by the MCI, which shows that the voting choice of 51% of Britain's motorcyclists is likely to be influenced by political party attitudes to motorcycling issues. With an average of 7,600 motorcycle licence holders in each UK constituency, the 'think motorcycle' message to Parliamentary candidates is clear - particularly in key marginals. Among the UK population as a whole, 20% of all voters will be looking for the next Government to do something positive for motorcycling and transport generally.
Although the Government's recent launch of the UK's first National Motorcycle Strategy has been welcomed by industry, MCI feels that unless the incoming Government - of whichever Party -- follows the strategy with a clear programme to support its implementation, coupled with actions to address rider vulnerability and accessibility on UK roads, even the most positive strategy will end up being a valueless document which sits on a shelf.
MCI has been fully engaged with Government, riders groups, the police and others to produce the Strategy and to encourage a new approach to road safety which was outlined in the industry's '19 Point Safety Plan' of 2003. MCI's work culminated in the launch of the rider skills DVD 'A Street, A Track, An Open Road' in February, with this being supplied to the buyers of new motorcycles.
In addition, the industry has put safety at the top of its agenda in franchised dealers, by requiring buyers of new motorcycles and dealers to complete a 'safety handover form' as part of the sales process.
MCI has also led the field in a large number of areas relating to improving the lives of ordinary riders and improving rider safety. This includes encouraging local authorities to include biking in their transport plans and helping to develop a national framework for the Police-led 'Bikesafe' scheme. Now the industry is calling for Government to deliver in other areas.
The MCI's Craig Carey-Clinch said; 'In short, MCI, is delivering -- now we expect Government to do the same. The industry has responded to Government concerns about rider safety and has worked closely with Ministers and officials to produce the National Motorcycle Strategy. However, the Strategy needs implementing and there are a number of additional key areas where Government should now act to support the work of industry and the wider motorcycle community. So far it is showing only a few signs of doing so. Which is why we have today launched the industry's 'Manifesto For Motorcycling'.
We urge Prospective Parliamentary Candidates to support the aims of the Manifesto and call for the transport teams of the main political parties to include the Manifesto in their transport policies.'
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Editor's Notes
The Motorcycle Industry Manifesto For Motorcycling
The National Motorcycle Strategy
The industry calls on the Government to provide adequate involvement, support and resources to a National Motorcycle Strategy implementation body, with a clear timetable for action.
The recently announced National Motorcycle Strategy has 44 goals which will need to be implemented in order to develop a sustainable future for motorcycling in the UK. This is essential if we are to see safer, more accessible and more secure motorcycling. The strategy if fully implemented will also create opportunities for people who wish to avoid traffic congestion and address public concerns about motorcycle safety.
Improve Road Traffic Education In Schools
Industry calls on the Government to implement a core programme of road user education in Schools and to introduce the existing GCSE in Road User Studies in schools across the UK
MCI's approach to road safety at various levels can be best summed up as one of 'Lifelong Learning'. The Industry strongly believes that 'issues of the road', be they two or four wheel based, motoring or non motoring, are issues which face each and every one of us from early childhood and as such should be regarded as core life skills if we are to see further longer term casualty reductions among road users
As part of any Road Safety Strategy, industry encourages the linkage of a range of road safety and educational activities, both statutory and non-statutory into a core, but informal, lifelong learning syllabus. This approach will make it easier to identify gaps in road safety strategies and allow for the improvement or fine tuning of existing initiatives.
Motorcycle Riding Licences
Industry calls on the Government to preserve the current UK motorcycle licensing regime by taking a far stronger line in European negotiations in line with industry and user concerns. However, if it is not possible to bring sanity to the European debate, the industry calls on the UK Government to reject the motorcycle elements of the proposed Third Licence Directive.
The European Community is currently debating new regulations for motorcycle rider licences. Proposals have been made without taking into account the effect of previous regulations on novice rider safety. In addition, the European institutions have ignored current research and developing motorcycle safety thinking. The result is likely to be a complicated mess of regulations which will severely discriminate against novice riders and unjustifiably restrict access to motorcycles compared to the simple regime that novice car drivers face.
Abolish a New Rule Which Stops Farmers and Landowners to Use Land Subject To The New Single Payment Scheme For Motorcycle Sport and Competition
The industry calls on the Government to abolish a new rule which effectively bans many off road motorcycle sporting activities by the back door.
European CAP reform has led to a new Single Payment Scheme (SPS) grant system for land which is not currently used for traditional farming but could be put back into agricultural use. Entitlement for farmers to claim SPS depends on how this land is used. New Government (DEFRA) rules stop this land from being used for off-road sporting activities such as trial and motocross biking.
Off-road motorcycle sports comprise a major part of leisure motorcycling activity, with sporting activities enhancing opportunities for both landowners and motorcycle users. Motorised sports activity adds to the vibrancy of Britain's rural landscape in a modern world. The new rules will seriously affect motorcycle sport and will impact in the rural economy.
The motorcycle industry feels that the Government should create greater opportunities for rural development, not turn the countryside into a museum piece which only select groups can enjoy.
Government to Fund The Successful Police Led 'Bikesafe' Programme
Industry calls on the Government to fund Bikesafe, either through existing safety camera partnerships, or by a different method. Such funding would demonstrate a commitment by Government to rider safety improvement in an area which is causing public concern.
Bikesafe has proved popular among leisure riders in rural areas who are regarded as at an enhanced risk of accident. Many schemes are oversubscribed and there are indications that Bikesafe is having a positive impact on rider casualties.
Government to Give a Green Light To Allowing Motorcycles To Use Bus Lanes
Allowing motorcycles into bus lanes is good for safety, good for mobility and good for reducing traffic congestion. Industry calls on the Government to give this initiative the green light.
More and more people are tackling traffic congestion by voting with their wheels and switching to motorcycles for their commuting journeys from cars. Allowing motorcycles, scooters and mopeds to use bus lanes can provide greater accessibility for commuting motorcyclists and at the same time improve biker visibility and reduce rider vulnerability. Existing schemes show that this can be done without compromising safety for other road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.
10 years of studies and other evidence has yet to show a problem with allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes. Indeed industry suspects that calls for prolonged research are often motivated by a desire by some to find evidence to show that motorcycles should not be allowed to use bus lanes - evidence which after 10 years is unlikely to be forthcoming.
Government to Set Standards for Improved Motorcycle Parking Facilities
Industry calls on the Government to set clear, enforceable standards for local, city and borough authorities, which will substantially increase the amount of available motorcycle parking.
A lack of motorcycle parking in major urban areas leads to riders having to unnecessarily hunt for spaces or park illegally. A rider who is looking for somewhere to park may not be concentrating fully on the surrounding road conditions, meaning that poor parking facilities could be a safety issue for riders.
Better Training Standards For Novice Motorcyclists
Novice riders need to be properly equipped to deal with the conditions that they face on today's roads and industry calls on the Government to create better, properly standardised and more effectively monitored pre-test rider training standards
Evidence suggests that a wide mix of training standards are being applied by different organisations and individuals to pre-test motorcycle training. This can impact on the quality of training which is available to novice riders and mixed standards of road safety awareness among new riders.
Introduce A National Rider Improvement Scheme and Speed Awareness Courses for Motorcyclists
Industry calls on the Government to offer motorcyclists who are guilty of motoring offences the same opportunities as car driving motoring offenders have, by introducing a specific nationwide Rider Improvement Scheme and motorcycle orientated Speed Awareness courses.
Car drivers who commit minor motoring offences are often able to take advantage of a Driver Improvement Scheme, or Speed Awareness Course as an alternative to licence endorsement and a fine. The schemes help to raise car driving standards among offenders in a very positive way.
Most motorcyclists do not have the option to undertake these schemes. Often motorcycling offenders are asked if they want to opt for a car-based course - clearly inappropriate for rider improvement and negative for motorcycle safety.
Local Action For Motorcycling
Industry calls on the Government to further 'mainstream' motorcycling by insisting that local authorities provide for biking in LTPs and withhold a proportion of LTP funding from those authorities who do not prove that they are making adequate provision for motorcycle users.
Local Authorities are currently developing Local Transport Plans (LTP). This process will be completed early in 2006. Local authorities are often reluctant to include positive policies for motorcycling due to often misguided concerns about safety and misplaced, or biased views about the role of motorcycling as a mode of transport which if integrated properly can help towards reducing local traffic congestion.
With a national strategy in place and increasing levels of guidance and advice available, local authorities now have no excuse for ignoring motorcycles in their transport plans.
For Further information about the Motorcycling Manifesto, please contact Craig Carey-Clinch, Director of Public Affairs on
07979 757484 or craig@mcia-pa.com
The research was carried out by Tickbox.net among 3721 men and women. The survey was carried out online in 11 different regions among people age 17 years and over. Less than 6% of respondents were identified as current riders, which is a reflection of the proportion of the adult riding population.
More press releases, industry statistics and photos are available on the website www.mcia.co.uk
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