October 2001

In June 2001 the Liberal Democrats enjoyed their best election result for over 70 years, electing 52 MPs and increasing their national share of the vote. Bournemouth 2001 was the first conference this newly extended Parliamentary Party enjoyed and MAG was there to welcome the incorporation of their previous motorcycling policy into a fuller transport document. A specific motorcycling section still exists, but the mode is now considered throughout 'Transport for People' which underlines how much progress the UK motorcycle Lobby is continuing to make.

The Liberal Democrats were the first UK political party to launch a motorcycling-specific policy back in 1996, which led to Labour, and eventually the Conservatives, producing similar documents. Once elected, Labour's 'Bike to Basics' became the catalyst for the Government Advisory Group on Motorcycling and the rest continues to be history in the making.

With Lib-Dems being highly democratic, (even by MAG standards) this new policy has been launched not a moment too soon. It continues to reflect the genuine advances that the UK motorcycling lobby is making. Five years ago, noisy, polluting, dangerous motorcycles, (as one elderly observer described us!) would never have been included in a general transport policy!

MAG's Phil Neale. "Letter writing, meetings with officials, submitting paperwork, researching documentary evidence and writing policy statements may not be the most glamourous of activities, but as this document shows, bikers are continuing to win over hearts and minds"

"The proof of this continuing political commitment to the powered two- wheeler is starting to be seen on the streets - in the increasing number of motorcycle parking bays, in bus lane access, and in exemptions from congestion and toll charges. This is a reminder to politicians of all parties that motorcycles have a great contribution to make in transport policies."

The full document was endorsed by the Liberal Democrat Conference and is available from their website: http://www.libdems.org.uk/documents/policies/Policy_Papers/transport.pdf