The Motor Cycle Industry Association has appointed a new Chairman. Howard Dale, General Manager, Kawasaki Motors UK, having been Vice Chairman for two years takes over from Tara Glen of E P Barrus Ltd who retires having been chair for the last two years.

Howard spent 10 years working in a motorcycle dealership before joining a major manufacturer in 1991 and with close on 30 years experience of the motorcycle industry has  during this time developed a rounded knowledge of the issues affecting the industry at all levels.

Although Howard is taking on the role during a time of economic challenge, the industry Association, MCI is set fair to meet the challenges of the future and work with all stakeholders to ensure its key aims of improving both the accessibility to motorcycling, and its safety record though the delivery of the "route to safer motorcycling" initiative are achieved.

Howard commented: "As roads become more congested, motorcycling can and will play its part in governments mainstream transport proposals, MCI will work with government to this effect and I am excited about leading MCI during the period when the opportunity for our industry to become a solution provider becomes a reality".  Commenting on his appointment, Howard said: "As someone who has spent their entire career working within the motorcycle industry, I am both humbled and honoured to have been appointed Chairman of the MCI".

"Together with the MCI board of directors we will be working hard to increase accessibility to motorcycling and ensuring motorcycling becomes established as part of the UK's mainstream transport policy."

"It won't be easy but, as an industry working to a single ambition, we have a realistic chance of making some significant changes to the way motorcycles are currently regarded."

Howard will be in attendance at this year's Carole Nash Motorcycle Live (27th Nov - 5th Dec) at the NEC in Birmingham, one of the most important motorcycle events in the UK, where he will host both the visit of Transport Minister - Mike Penning and on the 30th November the first annual MCI member conference, of recent times, which will provide insights into current issues being managed by the Association on behalf of its members.