Month in bikes
Biking organisations join up for a bigger say
New group seeks to speak for all bikers
SEVERAL BIKING GROUPS and organisations have come together to form a new coalition aimed at influencing government policy on issues that affect bikers. The National Motorcyclists Council brings together a range of existing groups including the Auto Cycle Union, British Motorcyclist Federation, Institute of Advanced Motorists, Motorcycle Action Group and the Trail Riders Fellowship.
The new organisation will provide a united voice to make it easier for the interests and opinions of bikers to be heard by parliament. It will also act to consolidate support for issues across all of its constituent groups’ members (which add up to over 100,000 bikers) so issues that affect one group’s members can be supported by all.
One of the first items on the agenda is to get motorcycling back into the minds of policy makers in the Government. This includes making sure powered two-wheelers are included in current and future government transport and sustainability strategies, ensuring the process of getting a licence is fit for purpose post-brexit and protecting motorbike sport venues. Already things appear to be going in the right direction, with MPS from both sides of the house supporting the cause.
The council will also work with authorities on regulatory and enforcement issues like exhaust noise, bike theft, antisocial behaviour, vehicle excise duty, low-emission zones and better security for riders. Visit www.uknmc.org for a full list of the new group’s objectives.
‘Get biking back into the minds of policy makers’