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Category: Organisations
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The British Motorcyclists Federation have welcomed the Department for Transport’s announcement that it is to cut the requirement for annual renewal of Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
In its submission on the DfT’s consultation, ‘Road Transport Red Tape Challenge’, the BMF had pointed out that for many motorcyclists with either classic bikes or other motorcycles undergoing renovation, they have had to renew their SORN every year even though the machine in question may not even be roadworthy. Now, once owners have notified the DVLA that their vehicle is covered by a SORN, they will no longer have to renew it.
Other cuts to red tape announced by Transport Secretary Justine Greening cover scrapping the regulation (by 2015) requiring motorists and motorcyclists to hold a paper counterpart to their driving licence and more controversially, the removal of the need for an insurance certificate.
In a previous consultation the BMF said it was concerned that under the new Continuous Insurance Enforcement Rules there would be sole dependence on the Motor Insurance Database (MID), a database that had proved less than reliable in cases of multi-vehicle insurance policies. However the Department for Transport says it will now work with the insurance industry on removing the need for insurance certificates.
By using the MID system the DfT say this will also remove the need for owners to prove they have insurance when taxing on-line because this will be checked against the registered keeper details held by the DVLA.
Commenting, BMF spokesman Jeff Stone said: “It makes a pleasant change these days to have less red tape and we know from our members that the removal of the annual SORN requirement will be particularly welcome.”
In the light of pending EU regulations, the BMF also welcomes the fact that the Motor Cycles (Single Vehicle Approval) Regulations 2003 are to be retained. These are regulations that provide motorcycle special builders and personal importers with a cost effective way to obtain type approval for one-off machines.
See full details.
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Despite the unseasonable time of year, Tuesday saw the BMF amongst the hundreds of riders from all over Europe who converged on the European Parliament building in Brussels to protest at the latest raft of motorcycle related Type Approval Regulations emanating from the European Commission.
Organised by Motor Cycle News, about 200 riders, mostly from the UK, assembled at the Parc du Cinquantenaire to take part in the ‘Back Off EU’ protest ride. Before the start of the ride they were addressed by MCN’s Senior Reporter Steve Farrell, the British Motorcyclists Federation’s Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder, British MP Mike Weatherly and the Motorcycle Action Group’s President, Ian Mutch.
A ride-past the European Commission offices ended at the European Parliament at the Place du Luxembourg where UKIP MEP Marta Andreason also addressed the riders, emphasising that she had been previously campaigning with bikers across the UK and with MCN to ensure that ‘this needless legislation is thrown on the scrap heap.’
Although there are a number of issues of concern say the BMF, the principle one is of the anti-tampering regulations. These have the effect of preventing any changes to a machine from its standard specification which, given the independence and individuality of owners, is an anathema to many motorcyclists say the BMF.
Speaking afterwards MCN’s Steve Farrell said: "People can question whether protests like this make a difference, but we can be certain that nothing will be achieved by sitting at home.
Supporting this line, Chris Hodder of the BMF said: “At times it’s important to visibly show solidarity and demonstrate the strength of feeling there is when debating items like this with politicians and civil servants.”
The BMF’s EU Type Approval Briefing document
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Following a thorough review of its activities, the British Motorcyclists Federation is to outsource the organisation and administration of its portfolio of popular shows.
Event specialists the Mulberry Group, organisers of all BMF outside events since September of 2009, will now take on all administration for the BMF Show, BMF Kelso Bikefest and the BMF Tailend Show.
The decision follows an analysis of BMF activities and the resources currently available. Although the organisation of BMF events has been outsourced since 2007, certain aspects of the administration and finance have remained in house and it is these that will now be included within the new arrangement.
Speaking on the announcement, Peter Laidlaw, BMF Director of Member Services said: “Our events have always been a means to an end, raising funds to support our primary role of representing the road rider and with Mulberry proving themselves to be a reliable and enthusiastic partner, this new arrangement will allow us to concentrate on that primary role.”
The Mulberry Group’s Managing Director Martin Chick said: "Since day one we have been committed to making the BMF’s shows a success and are delighted to have now been entrusted with the BMF’s whole event management package. As a motorcyclist, I want to see the BMF succeed in its role of representing motorcycling and we will do everything we can to assist them in fulfilling that aim by putting on top quality BMF events.”
www.bmf.co.uk
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On Saturday the 29th October the United Bikers of Ireland organised protest ride saw over 3,000 bikers descend on Dublin’s Government buildings, the Dail against proposed new EU Laws from the European Commission’s – Approval and market surveillance of two – or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles.
Riders rode in from various organised starting points across Ireland from: Clare – Limerick – Cork – Kildare – Donegal – Monaghan – Waterford – Wexford – Galway – Athlone and Dublin itself to voice their opposition.
The United Bikers of Ireland state that, “The EU proposal seeks to introduce a wide range of changes to existing regulations, and at the same time impose a confusing myriad of limitations and restrictions for all motorcyclists in Europe.”
Not only were the thousands of riders met at the Dail by Irish member of Parliament Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD but MEP Phil Prendergast was on the back of a trike all the way in on the Dublin leg of the protest ride, for the first time in her life.
Phil Prendgast sits on the EU IMCO Committee (Internal Market and Consumer Protection) which is at present considering amendments to the European Commission’s proposal to be voted on in November 2011 before being presented to the Europe Parliament.
The United Bikers of Ireland say that Phil Prendgast, “was very impressed with our presence and our points.”
The message from the United Bikers of Ireland is, “Well done to everyone who came out today. It was a great success and we estimate approx 3,000 bikes turned out in total and helped take over a number of streets around Leinster House.
It was so important to make our numbers known to the politicians and decision makers, and despite the bad weather at the start, we put on an amazing show.
Thank you once again to everyone, well done and ride safe.”
Where next for the United Bikers of Ireland committee?
Well they have received an invitation to meet the CEO of the RSA (Road Safety Authority).
United Bikers of Ireland say, “This is indeed a huge step in our efforts as it allows us to meet face-to-face with the RSA governing body and will allow us an opportunity for dialogue and debate.”
At Right To Ride we say, “United Bikers of Ireland are combining lobbying, meeting politicians and authorities with the megaphone diplomacy of protest rides. Congratulations to the committee and all riders in finding a refined balance.”
www.unitedbikersofireland.com
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United Bikers of Ireland is a new group who are all volunteers based in the ROI which aims to try and fight against the new EU Laws which are proposed in the European Commission’s - Approval and market surveillance of two – or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles.
As a committee United Bikers of Ireland feel that bikers need to unite and work together to try and stop these laws coming into effect.
In order to do this the United Bikers of Ireland feel that to get their point across, they need to meet with and lobby local politicians - TDs (Irish Elected Politicians) and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in order to expose the serious defects in this legislation together with the extortionate cost these new measures will confer on each State, versus the miniscule benefit, if any , that is expected.
The group have already moved forward and met politicians in October at Leinster House to discuss the forthcoming EU legislation proposal. In attendance was the Minister for Transport , Dr Leo Varadkar, Caoimhghin O Caolain Sinn Fein TD, and motorcycle enthusiasts from across Ireland. Leinster House is the seat of the Oireachtas, the national parliament of Ireland.
United Bikers of Ireland are combining lobbying and meeting politicians with the megaphone diplomacy of protest rides by organising a large protest which will be run for the benefit of and hopefully with their involvement, all bikers in Ireland.
United Bikers of Ireland say, “We aim to hold a peaceful run to show the government and MEPs that we can be trusted, we do deserve greater freedoms then are being proposed in this EU legislation, we do not deserve to have such stringent controls enforced on us, we are safety conscious, and we deserve to be treated like responsible adults.”
”The bottom line is that the proposed legislation, is off the mark in the issues it aims to address, is seriously flawed in its approach to recommend remedies, and has the potential to create a monster of a legislation which is impractical to implement, extortionately expensive for Europe to administer, and that also has far reaching consequences for all other modes of transport if such a precedent is set”
The motorcycle protest is planned for this Saturday the 29th October, where 5,000 motorcycles from across Ireland will journey from various start points to Dublin, then to descend on the Government buildings of the Dail, for one major protest in a show of unity and expression of disappointment and frustration with this proposed legislation. A petition will also be handed in.
For full details of the United Bikers of Ireland and starting points of the feeder protest rides visit the website at www.unitedbikersofireland.com
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