National Strategy

In advance of the General Election, the Interim Report of the Government Motorcycling Advisory Group has finally been published, and in a Commons debate on motorcycling during the dying throes of the last Parliament, Keith Hill, Under Secretary of State, confirmed that this would lead to a national strategy for motorcycling by 2003. Apart from the unnecessary delay exactly what MAG has been pursuing since the 1992 Operation Twistgrip campaign where every Prospective Parliamentary Candidate was sent biking related questions and information!

MAG's 1997 Bikers are Voters campaign saw the creation, in May 1999, of the Motorcycling Advisory Group, which includes DETR Heads, Industry, Training Agencies and Riders' Groups. This has since forced Government to focus on the key issues affecting bikers. In particular, Task Forces have been created to examine environmental and fiscal issues, statistics, research, vehicle safety and security, and integration and traffic management. The impact of powered two-wheelers on congestion and exploring their environmental effect is of particular urgency and, as recently as May 2001, Lord 'Larry' Whitty took two wheel use one step further by explaining 'There can be little doubt that mopeds and motorcycles can offer environmental benefits'.

Through the Local Transport Planning procedures Local authorities are now considering specific measures to assist motorcyclists in making integrated journeys, including parking, interchange facilities and appropriate road maintenance although this has been tempered by the recent package of measures to 'improve the safety of motorcyclists' - otherwise known as recent changes to the licensing and training regimes but also promoting improvements in engineering and technical standards. The interim report sets out how Labour is looking at motorcycling across a wide range of issues and is available from MAG Central. Labour has made good progress, although, in opposition and without the necessary authority, the Conservative and Liberal Democrats transport policies are now as equally sympathetic, if not more so.

With the continued help of the Advisory Group members - not least those who actually ride motorcycles - MAG will ensure the new Government carries on developing policies so that proper account is taken of motorcycles as legitimate, integrated transport.

The hundreds of riders that took the time and effort to send Bikers are Voters questionnaires to Prospective Parliamentary Candidates and MPs should take a bow, pat yourselves on the back but continue to maintain a vigilant watch on the activities of those who serve us..

Only with your continued support can we guarantee that MAG will continue to lead the charge for better biking conditions.