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3rd European Driving Licence Directive Demonstration Lobby
October 2005
 Brussels Demo Multiplies Riders Vote Hundreds of riders from the UK converged on the heart of Brussels on Saturday 1st October to demonstrate against the effects that proposals contained in the Third EC Driving Licence would have on limiting access to motorcycles to young and new riders.
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK), British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) and Motor Cycle News led demonstration was supplemented by riders from MAG Netherlands and supported by MAG Ireland.
The demonstration focussed on calling for the draconian and premature legislation contained in the the motorcycle part of the Licence Directive to be removed and to be discussed fully in open forum with with the Motorcycle Community in Europe.
The proposals if agreed come before even the Second EC Driving Licence Directive has been completed and has ignored European motorcycle in-depth accident studies which found that experience gained through riding was a key factor and not the age of access.
MAG and the BMF have lobbied UK MEPs over the past months on the issue and have received varied responses from complete support to indifference from riders' political representatives in Europe.
MAG President, Ian Mutch, says, "In gauging public concern on an issue politicians interpret every letter as reflecting the views of at least a hundred voters.
For every voter who gets on a motorcycle and rides several 100 miles at great expense to make a point, the factor applied is nearer 1000. Every one who made the run to Brussels should give themselves a king size pat on the back for voting in the most empathic way for the defence of motorcycling."
While we continue with direct action and putting pressure on the UK Government, the Motorcycle
Community in Europe consisting of the Federation of European Motorcyclists Federations (FEMA) ACEM, the motorcycle industry in Europe and FIM, the sport federation continues its concerted efforts within the European Institutions to belay the Licence Directives counterproductive and contradictory proposals on training, testing and age access.
Notes
1. A special thanks to MAG Belgium for organising the logistics of the demo and to the hard work of their volunteers in hosting and marshalling the UK riders in Brussels.
2. Also our thanks to the Belgian police who escorted the demo ride and closed road junctions.
3. Pictures of the demo are available: Here
Trevor Baird Director Of Public Affairs
Email public-affairs@mag-uk.org
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