The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) condemns today's announcement by London Mayor Ken Livingstone that motorcycles would not be permitted to use bus lane on roads controlled by Transport for
In a report published today, Transport for
The published report is strikingly similar to a much discredited early draft, published in October 2006, that was withdrawn by TfL. A more comprehensive report, prepared in April 2007, demonstrated that there would be clear safety benefits for all vulnerable road users, and not just motorcyclists, if motorcycles were allowed to use bus lanes. This report was suppressed by TfL, although a copy has been seen by members of the Motorcycle Action Group.
Motorcycles are permitted to use bus lanes in
Greater London Regional Representative, Gerard Livett, said: “The report finally published today contains the same woeful statistical analysis as the one that was rejected by TfL in October 2006. A more comprehensive analysis of the data, which was never officially published, clearly demonstrated that there would be safety benefits for all vulnerable road users if motorcycles were permitted to use bus lanes.”
“'Successful trials from elsewhere in the country demonstrate that motorcycles and bicycles can share bus lanes safely. In this regard,
'The timing of this report, and the nature of the contents, would appear to be a form of gerrymandering (political manipulation) aimed at securing the votes of cyclists at the expense of motorcycle safety and motorcyclists lives.'”
Notes
1. The report can be found at http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/transport/streets.jsp#p2ws
2. Greater
Gerard Livett
Trevor Baird
Email: general-secretary@mag-uk.org
The
It is well known that over time some manhole cover surfaces become smooth and polished and if wet, very slippery, but thanks to the work undertaken by the National Motorcycle Council i.e. The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF), Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers (IHIE), Motor Cycle Industry Association MCIA, Motorcycle Action Group (
This will give manhole covers the equivalent grip of good quality road surfacing but in addition, the suggested revised standard also allows for the use of an even higher grip cover in areas of greater concern, such as bends.
The work was brought about due to a lack of effective skid resistance requirements for manhole covers in the present standard, BS EN 124. This is of particular concern as manholes to allow access to underground services are often found on bends, a location where motorcyclists can be particularly vulnerable due to a sudden change in grip when cornering.
The next stage will be to address this matter at a European level to gain support and agreement from the other countries. Achieving this should lead to a change in the EN124 standard and a safer European-wide road network for bikers.
David Short,
Welcoming the agreement, Chris Hodder, the BMF’s Government Relations Executive said: "I would like to thank Devon County Council’s Material’s Laboratory and the IHIE for their work on this. As motorcyclists we know we need a level of skid resistance equal to that of the main carriageway, but what we needed was a technical specification and that’s what we have now been able to agree on."
Sheila Rainger, Head of Campaigns for the
This headline grabbing figure was picked up by the national media which portrayed motorcyclists as habitual law breakers and VED duty evaders.
Today’s release of information from the Department of Transport into the true levels of VED indicates that motorcycle VED evasion is estimated at 6.5% compared to 2.5% VED evasion for all other vehicle types. Very different to the 40% figure for motorcycle VED evasion previously bandied about.
Notes
1. Department for Transport (DfT) report here www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/vehicles/excisedutyevasion
2. David Short,
The report was completed in April 2007 and was first due to be published in October 20007, then January 2008. It has still to be released.
The study looked in detail at the effects of allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes on certain streets in the Capital and has proved conclusively that there are significant net road safety benefits for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and bus passengers.
The study showed that despite concerns by cycling groups that cyclists would be put in danger the results showed that cyclist collisions reduced by 39%, motorcycle collisions reduced by 44% and pedestrians by 24%.
During the last 11 years motorcycle access to bus lanes has been successfully trialled or introduced as a permanent measure in a number of locations in the
No trial of powered two wheelers in bus lanes, anywhere in the
David Short,
“It is beyond comprehension that political interference is putting lives at risk, especially when the Parliamentary Transport Select Committee have announced a scrutiny into what further measures can be put in place between now and 2010 to achieve the Government’s casualty reduction targets.”
“I am seeking legal advice on behalf of
Notes
1. For further information contact
David Short
Campaigns Manager
Motorcycle Action Group
Telephone: 01347 822214
Email: campaigns-manager@mag-uk.org
The
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) have expressed their serious
concerns to the Home Office regarding their proposals to increase, by
almost 300%, the statutory charges for the removal, storage and disposal
of motorcycles by the police.
Under the current arrangements the police can charge £105 for the
recovery of a motorcycle considered to be abandoned illegally,
dangerously or obstructively parked, or broken down. They can then
charge up to £12 a day for storage until the motorcycle is reclaimed by
its rightful owner.
Under new Home Office proposals bikers would be charged £300 for the
recovery of the machine and £15 per day storage. This will not only
affect riders involved in road crashes but will also affect those who
have had their motorcycle stolen and subsequently recovered, adding to
the misery, cost and inconvenience to the owner.
Responding to the consultation which closes today, Friday the 25th
January MAG has highlighted the totally unjustified 300% increase and
brought to the attention of the Home Office failures in communication
between the police, insurers, and the recovery companies which results
in unnecessary delays in the release of impounded bikes and escalating
costs incurred by the biker.
David Short, MAG Campaigns Manager, says, “The proposed charges are
totally out of proportion to reality and the increase from the current
£105 to £300 is totally unjustified.”
“There are too many examples of bikers who have been victims of
motorcycle theft who have then had huge recovery and storage costs
charged by the police because of a lack of communication between the
police and the victim of the crime.”
“This also applies to bikers who have been involved in road crashes and
who have not had the opportunity to make their own arrangements to
recover their crashed bike”
“MAG will be making the strongest representations to have these proposed
rip off charges consigned to the bin”
Notes
1. Proposed Charges
http://www.network.mag-uk.org/documents/071221Home_Office_letter.pdf
2. View Original Consultation
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/stat-charges-index
For further information contact:
David Short
Tel: +44 (0) 1347 82221
Mobile: +44 (0) 77389 48080
E-mail: campaigns-manager@mag-uk.org
www.mag-uk.org
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG
Unfortunately the media has jumped on this unreliable and suspect headline figure to brand motorcyclists as law breakers.
The report, from the House of Commons, Committee of Public Accounts, itself acknowledges that the methodology used to capture the data is suspect.
A recent series of expensive TV adverts advised us that the DVLA do not have to look on the road or in garages but simply at computer screens in order to identify tax evaders.
If this is the case then let them get on with it and fine all these defaulters. If it is not the case and the DVLA were completely wrong then it begs the question – are they wrong about the level of evasion?
MAG makes no apologies for those who fail to tax vehicles and will happily work with the DVLA to enable them to make an accurate assessment of evasion rates.
MAG recognises however that for all road users road tax has lost its credibility. When it was used to improve roads motorists could see the benefit. However, when it just disappears into the black hole of the treasury, people become sceptical and the whole system loses credibility.
The whole system needs reviewing.
Notes
1. Download the committee report http://www.network.mag-uk.org/documents/080122%20Vehicle%20Excise.pdf
2. For further information contact:
David Short
Tel: +44 (0) 1347 82221
Mobile: +44 (0) 77389 48080
E-mail: campaigns-manager@mag-uk.org
The UK's Leading Riders' Rights Organisation