BMF LAUNCHES A MOTORCYCLISTS MANIFESTO

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Eamonn Townsend

BMF LAUNCHES A MOTORCYCLISTS MANIFESTO

Post by Eamonn Townsend »

In an attempt to get all political parties to take the PTW powered two wheeler) seriously, the British Motorcyclists Federation has published its own biking manifesto, spelling out in no uncertain terms, the case for the PTW in future Government policy.

Encouraged by the interest that all political parties have shown in the increasing use of the powered two wheeler, a Motorcyclists Manifesto is seen by the BMF as a logical step in helping political parties develop their policies and will be used by members of the 140,000 strong organisation in lobbying their parliamentary candidates.

Calling for measures such as the exemption of small machines and mopeds from road tax; granting PTWs exemption from road pricing and work place parking levies; giving access to bus lanes and putting more resources into driving standards, the manifesto, taking the form of a 10 page booklet, has been distributed to all political parties and to every parliamentary candidate along with a 10 point questionnaire designed to discover each candidate’s attitude to PTW issues.

With machines ranging from the humble power assisted bicycle to the largest capacity sports bike, any PTW has less impact on the environment than a single occupant car say the BMF and should therefore receive proper and full consideration in transport planning.

The BMF say that the PTW, through its small size and manoeuvrability, requires relatively inexpensive changes to the infrastructure compared with public transport and cars and can therefore:


Reduce congestion and pollution
Use land more efficiently by occupying less road and parking space, e.g. 5 PTWs can use a single car space
Help address social exclusion due to poor public transport, particularly in rural areas.
Offer travellers the flexibility that public transport cannot match - with less impact on the environment than that of cars.


Because increased PTW use is so beneficial say the BMF, it also recommends that Government policy towards PTWs includes elevating the status of the existing Government Advisory Group on Motorcycling into a Government Strategy Group as part of an Integrated Transport Strategy. It also calls for parity of recognition of the PTW as a legitimate alternative to other modes of transport, i.e. the car, walking, cycling or public transport.

In particular the manifesto suggests that:
Parking provision be increased, be secure and be free of charge.
Access to bus lanes and high occupancy vehicle lanes should be encouraged along with the use of advanced stop lines at traffic lights.
PTWs should have complete exemption from road pricing, congestion charging and work place parking levies.
PTWs be included as alternative transport in travel awareness schemes for individuals such as Travelwise and in Green Transport Plans for Business.
Machines of up to 50cc are exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty.
Financial incentives for local authorities to offer ‘ride to work’ schemes using subsidised moped hire to allow the socially excluded to find work to which they would otherwise be unable to travel.


Road Safety
Aware that road safety is a major concern, the BMF point out that PTWs have an improving safety record with casualty levels being comparable with the positively encouraged vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

The BMF say they want to see all road users take responsibility for their actions. There should be a consistent and rational approach to accident causation, with more resources directed into on-the-spot accident investigation and analysis. The reliance on `blunt enforcement’, such as speed cameras, is too simplistic say the BMF.

Theft of PTWs is also a major concern. While only 2.5 % of vehicles are PTWs they account for 10% of all vehicle thefts. With recovery rates low at only 14%, the BMF want the Government to give PTW security parity with car theft.

Telematics
Highway systems and
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