Bob
18th August 2005, 20:15
The major UK lobbying groups have called for the Government to step in and take action against the introduction of an “Unnecessary, over complicated and ineffectual” bike licence scheme proposed by the European Union.
The scheme, due to be implemented in 2011, includes proposals for the minimum age of access to all types of motorcycles larger than 125cc to rise from 17 to 19 and the minimum age for Direct Access to larger motorcycles to rise from 21 to 24.
The scheme also calls for a ‘Stepped licence system’ between licence categories requiring riders to complete further testing or training between steps. In practical terms, this will mean huge increases in the cost of obtaining a full licence, with a practical test required at each stage. For new riders on a tiny budget, this could well price biking out of range of their pockets.
However, the proposal allows for “Flexibility that empowers individual European countries to introduce age requirements” - making a mockery of the concept of a European harmonized motorcycle licence.
The UK is the current EU President and all three lobbying groups have demanded to use this leadership position to ensure the legislation does not see the light of day.
The BMF says that increasing ages of access will not address road safety issues because the most vulnerable group are acknowledged to be riders in their mid 30s and older who have taken the motorcycle Direct Access Scheme route. BMF Government Relations Executive Trevor Magner said “It’s amazing that the EU could spend hundreds of thousands of Euros on the MAIDS research and then ignore the findings! It does what legislators have always done, ignore the failings of other road users and shift the blame on to motorcyclists.”
MAG's Director Of Public Affairs Trevor Baird said "The whole process of the directive can be seen as a philosophical approach that tougher testing and training will reduce accidents simply by reducing the numbers of motorcyclists."
The Motorcycle Industry Association’s Craig Carey-Clinch added “Once again Brussels is ignoring road safety evidence so that it can simply blame motorcyclists for motorcycle accidents, while ignoring the deficiencies of other road users. New car drivers will not face such heavy-handed treatment despite their frequent involvement in road accidents. These new proposals are unfair, unjustified, discriminatory and simply not acceptable to the UK motorcycle community. The motorcycle industry and rider groups in Europe have proposed a set of amendments to the Directive and MCI strongly urges to the UK Government to table these and put an end to this Euro madness.”
“We hear a lot these days about how the Government is using its influence to ensure a fair deal for UK citizens as part of its EU Presidency. It’s time that ministers put their money where their mouths are and make sure that we get a fair deal for motorcycling, which allows biking to develop as an alternative to the car – as promised by the Government in their recently published motorcycling strategy.”
The main points are:
a. The introduction of three motorcycle categories:
A1 - Light motorcycle less than 125cc/11kW
A2 - Intermediate motorcycle less than 35kW
A - Unlimited motorcycle over 35kW
b. For Progressive Access in the UK, the minimum age for riding bikes and scooters over 125cc rises from 17 to 19.
c. Direct Access to machines larger than 35 kW only after age 24 (currently 21)
d. Introduces extra two-year ‘steps’ between bikes of different engine power
e. Riders will be required to complete extra riding tests between ‘steps’.
The scheme, due to be implemented in 2011, includes proposals for the minimum age of access to all types of motorcycles larger than 125cc to rise from 17 to 19 and the minimum age for Direct Access to larger motorcycles to rise from 21 to 24.
The scheme also calls for a ‘Stepped licence system’ between licence categories requiring riders to complete further testing or training between steps. In practical terms, this will mean huge increases in the cost of obtaining a full licence, with a practical test required at each stage. For new riders on a tiny budget, this could well price biking out of range of their pockets.
However, the proposal allows for “Flexibility that empowers individual European countries to introduce age requirements” - making a mockery of the concept of a European harmonized motorcycle licence.
The UK is the current EU President and all three lobbying groups have demanded to use this leadership position to ensure the legislation does not see the light of day.
The BMF says that increasing ages of access will not address road safety issues because the most vulnerable group are acknowledged to be riders in their mid 30s and older who have taken the motorcycle Direct Access Scheme route. BMF Government Relations Executive Trevor Magner said “It’s amazing that the EU could spend hundreds of thousands of Euros on the MAIDS research and then ignore the findings! It does what legislators have always done, ignore the failings of other road users and shift the blame on to motorcyclists.”
MAG's Director Of Public Affairs Trevor Baird said "The whole process of the directive can be seen as a philosophical approach that tougher testing and training will reduce accidents simply by reducing the numbers of motorcyclists."
The Motorcycle Industry Association’s Craig Carey-Clinch added “Once again Brussels is ignoring road safety evidence so that it can simply blame motorcyclists for motorcycle accidents, while ignoring the deficiencies of other road users. New car drivers will not face such heavy-handed treatment despite their frequent involvement in road accidents. These new proposals are unfair, unjustified, discriminatory and simply not acceptable to the UK motorcycle community. The motorcycle industry and rider groups in Europe have proposed a set of amendments to the Directive and MCI strongly urges to the UK Government to table these and put an end to this Euro madness.”
“We hear a lot these days about how the Government is using its influence to ensure a fair deal for UK citizens as part of its EU Presidency. It’s time that ministers put their money where their mouths are and make sure that we get a fair deal for motorcycling, which allows biking to develop as an alternative to the car – as promised by the Government in their recently published motorcycling strategy.”
The main points are:
a. The introduction of three motorcycle categories:
A1 - Light motorcycle less than 125cc/11kW
A2 - Intermediate motorcycle less than 35kW
A - Unlimited motorcycle over 35kW
b. For Progressive Access in the UK, the minimum age for riding bikes and scooters over 125cc rises from 17 to 19.
c. Direct Access to machines larger than 35 kW only after age 24 (currently 21)
d. Introduces extra two-year ‘steps’ between bikes of different engine power
e. Riders will be required to complete extra riding tests between ‘steps’.