Outrage over ‘ban big bikes’ letter

A letter from road safety groups calling for Government to look at ‘downsizing’ motorcycles has been called a “pile of bilge” by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCI).

MCI policy director Craig Carey-Clinch launched a blistering attack on the letter and said he was drafting his own response to send to MPs. He said he had received “a blizzard of emails from different groups” since the letter appeared on this site last week.

The letter was signed by holders of senior posts at Transport 2000, Living Streets, RoadPeace, Sustrans, the Road Danger Reduction Forum, the Slower Speeds Initiative, cycling group CTC and the London Cycling Campaign.

It was sent on August 1 to the Transport Select Committee, a group of MPs appointed by the House of Commons to examine Government transport policy.

MCN has also received a steady flow of emails from readers angry about the letter, including one from a Sustrans supporter.

Nick Moore has told Sustrans: “If you support any kind of draconian measures I will withdraw my financial support and urge others to do so… We should not be looking to restrict each other’s freedom.”

The British Motorcyclists Federation cancelled its membership of RoadPeace after reading the letter on this site. 

To read the letter: click here.

Take a look at this week’s MCN out Wednesday, September 12, 2007 for more information.

To read more about the ‘Ban big bikes’ letter online: click here