MCI sets bike manifesto

The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCI) has launched its ‘Motorcycling Manifesto’ for the post-election govenment.

The Manifesto asks the government to act in several key areas including motorcycle licensing, implementing the new National Motorcycle Strategy, funding the Bikesafe initiative and forcing local authorities to think bike in their transport policies.

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The MCI manifesto was prompted by a survey which revealed the voting choice of 51 per cent of Britain’s bikers are influenced by part attitudes to bikes. With an average of 7600 motorcycle licence holders in each UK constituency, we’re an important group, and among the population of the UK, 20 per cent of votes will look for the new Government to do something positive for motorcycling and transport.

The manifesto includes:

The National Motorcycle Strategy: The MCI calls for involvement, support and resources for an implementation body with a clear timetable for the 44 goals outlined in the strategy, to ensure safer, more accessible and more secure motorcycling.

Improve Road Traffic Education in Schools: Implementing a core programme of road user education, and to introduce the exisiting GCSE in Road User Studies.

Motorcycle licences: Calls for a far stronger line in European negotiations, and a rejection of the motorcycle elements of the proposed Third Licence Directive.

Abolish new Landowners single payment law: A new law effectively rules out many off-road sporting events, as entitlements for farmers to get cash for land not used for farming now do not include off-road sporting events.

Government to fund Bikesafe: Calls for funding through safety camera revenue or alternative methods, to support the scheme which is oversubscribed and is having positive effects on rider casulaties.

Bike use in bus lanes: Allowing motorcycle and scooter use in bus lanes, following ten years of positive reseach for accessibility and safety.

Improve parking facilites: Enforceable standards for local, city and borough authorities.

Better training for novices: Better, properly standardised and monitored pre-test rider training standards.

National rider improvement and speed awareness courses: To offer bikers who are guilty of motoring offences the same opportunites as car drivers by introducing a specific rider imrovement scheme and speed awareness course.

Local action for motorcycling: Efforts to insist local authorities provide for biking in traffic polices, and the witholding of funds if these efforts are not made.