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Motorcycling for London, a new campaign to highlight the benefits of motorcycle, scooter and moped use has been launched in conjunction with other user groups, road safety bodies, motoring organisations, retailers and the motorcycle industry. These organisations share the view that more needs to be done to improve conditions for PTW users.

The Motorcycling for London campaign seeks to encourage a wider discussion about the role of motorcycling in London's transport strategy and in particular makes proposals that can encourage the safety, access and security of PTW users.

Specific proposals include an increase in parking provision in line with current demands, many more free, secure motorcycle parking places and access to bus lanes

Motorcycling has seen a resurgence in London, with large increases in use year on year. Given that motorcycling offers significant advantages in an integrated transport system, it is clear that users will need to be catered for in London's transport strategy by positive initiatives from Transport for London, the GLA and the Boroughs.

More motorcycling means less congestion, reduced journey times and greater efficiency across the road network - in other words; more motorcycling means a better London for all. It is time that London's policy makers appreciated this point and moved to make life easier and safer for PTW users, rather than either ignoring motorcycling or introducing policies designed to make life more difficult or more expensive for them.'

If you wish to know more about this campaign please call MAG Central Office, or look up www.despatch.co.uk/nmc/nmchome.htm

The Home Office has proposed tough new measures for road users in a consultation document on road traffic offences and penalties.

Home Office: Press Release

Consultation Document: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/cpd/sou/rtpcons.pdf

The measures, which were widely leaked and reported, aim to cut the number of road accidents by introducing tougher sentences for serious offences - such as extending disqualification periods and extending sentences for repeat offenders.

Ministers are also pledging to introduce ''innovative and flexible'' penalties and a review of the penalty points system, giving the courts more flexibility in awarding the number of penalty points according to the seriousness of the offence, and more points for second offences.

The government is also set to introduce ''long life'' points which, if awarded to a driver who has already completed a substantial period of disqualification, will last for six years and not three as is currently the case.

Also likely is the introduction of a new ''two-level'' fixed penalty system for speeding offences with more points for more serious offences, increasing the threat of quicker disqualification for the worst drivers.

It would be appreciated it if you could discuss these proposals with your groups, reps, local clubs and members and let us have your views on the proposals before the next NC meeting February 10th, where we will have to discuss and agree MAG's response.

Please can you ensure that we keep to the organisational structures as we do have time to consider a measured response, also MAG Central is unable to cope with hundreds of individual responses.

The Vehicles Crime Bill, which is being rushed through Parliament, is online at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200001/cmbills/001/en/01001x--.htm

The Bill itself is at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200001/cmbills/001/2001001.htm

These notes refer to the Vehicles (Crime) Bill as introduced in the House of Commons on 7th December 2000 [Bill 1]

Comments ASAP please as we have a friendly MP available to amend this.

VEHICLES (CRIME) BILL

SUMMARY

The Bill is in four parts:

Part I, Regulation of Motor Salvage Operators: introduces powers to regulate the motor salvage industry and require motor salvage operators to register with local authorities, keep records and for the police to have right of entry to registered premises without warrant

Part II, Regulation of Registration Plate Suppliers: introduces powers to control the supply and issue of number plates. It requires number plate suppliers to register, to make suitable checks before selling a number plate and to keep records of transactions.

Part III, Other Provisions Relating to Vehicle Crime: This part:

enables a vehicle which has been written off to be required to have an identity check if the Driver and Vehicle Licence Agency (DVLA) receives a request for it to be allowed back on the road. This will prevent the identity of stolen vehicles being disguised by that of other, legitimate, vehicles. It also provides a power to prescribe the form and manner in which information on number plates must appear;

amends the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 so as to enable scrap metal dealers disposing of motor vehicles to be obliged to notify the destruction to such persons as are specified (the main intended recipient of the notification being the DVLA);

includes a provision to allow the police bulk access to a motor insurance industry database which will allow them to identify more easily uninsured drivers;

includes a provision extending the time limit for bringing prosecutions for the offence of taking a mechanically propelled vehicle without authority. This enables proceedings for summary offences to be commenced (subject to a general time limit of three years) at any time within six months from the date on which sufficient evidence came to the knowledge of the prosecutor; and allows certain magistrates' courts' receipts to be re-circulated to pay for speed and red light camera enforcement.

Part IV, Supplementary: this Part has a number of standard provisions relating to financial arrangements, consequential amendments and orders and regulations as a result of the Bill.