Motorcycles in Bus Lanes BMF News 18 March 202418 March 2024 Government launches consultation on allowing motorcycles to access bus lanes by default. Responses required by 9 June 2024. The Government has launched its much anticipated consultation on whether motorcycles should be allowed access to bus lanes by default, as part of its commitment set out in the Plan For Drivers published on 2 October 2023. The BMF has pushed for many years for motorcyclists to be allowed default access to bus lanes, predominantly on safety grounds by removing potential conflicts with other road traffic. There are also wider benefits in terms of reducing traffic congestion and journey times for motorcyclists. Although some local authorities have allowed motorcyclists to use some bus lanes, current access is neither universal nor consistent across local authorities. The
BMF Head Office move to Mallory Park BMF News 2 February 202421 February 2024 BMF on the Move... Mallory Park beckons as the BMF team prepare to pack up and move to new offices at this iconic and historic racetrack. The move will take place over an extended weekend beginning this Friday the 2nd of February, with everything back up and running, and business as usual, from Tuesday the 6th of February. The office phone number and PO Box postal address will remain unchanged following the move. Originally built as a grass oval circuit for pony trotting, motorcycles first took to the circuit for grass track race meetings in 1948. These popular events continued until 1955, when the Mallory estate was sold. The new owner, Clive Wormleighton, known as the true father of Mallory Park, went on
The BMF launches its 2024 Rally Season BMF News 1 February 20241 March 2024 This year will see the BMF once again host three rallies, the Crunchy Sleeping Bag, Dambuster and the Lucky Cup, each with its own unique character and location. As well as being enjoyable events in themselves and a fantastic way to meet with fellow bikers, the rallies are a vital part of the BMF’s fundraising efforts. Any money made supports the lobbying work done by the BMF in its determination to show the importance of motorcycling in the UK and to ensure riders don’t face discrimination based on their chosen mode of transport. The BMF’s Events Director, Peter Laidlaw had this to say about the forthcoming season: “I’m really looking forward to this year’s rallies. There is a lot of challenging
Commute by Motorcycle Despite the Weather BMF News 26 January 2024 Why I Still Commute by Motorcycle Despite the Weather January and it was barely light as I left home. By the time I arrived at work the leaden sky had lightened, but there was still no sign of the sun. Balancing carefully and feathering the rear brake, I drifted slowly down the ramp to the basement carpark. Ducking under the slowly rising shutter door, I made my way across between the cars, to the narrow walkway in front of a white nondescript door. The only place set aside for parking motorcycles. I was alone. In the summer months there are often three of us commuting by motorcycle, but in the winter, it is just me. I put the side stand down and
Government Listens to Riders and Drivers on the future of the MoT Test BMF News 25 January 202429 February 2024 The Government has responded to the MoT Consultation and announced today that there will be no change to the current MoT testing period for cars, motorbikes and vans, with the first MOT remaining at three years from registration. Subsequent MOTs will also continue to be taken once every year. Paul Morgan CBE BMF's Government Relations Executive said " This is an excellent result which comes on the back of proactive lobbying by National Motorcyclists Council (NMC), British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) and IAM RoadSmart along with our key partners and will ensure the continued safety of riders on UK roads." You can read more here ............. Government committed to MOT modernisation as consultation concludes First MOT test to remain three years after
BMF joins JCB, AA and others to launch National Pothole Partnership BMF News 15 January 2024 To launch National Pothole Day and the start of the new National Pothole partnership, Paul Morgan from BMF attended a media event earlier this morning in Staffordshire alongside representatives from JCB, the AA and Staffordshire County Council. Today's event was held to highlight the new Pothole Partnership between Road User organisations, including the British Motorcyclists Federation, the National Motorcyclists Council and to provide a demonstration of the capabilities of JCB's new "Pothole Pro" machine that can repair a pothole in only 8 minutes to provide a permanent and effective repair rather than the temporary "patch and dash" approach that has often been employed by local authorities. The aim of the new partnership is to bring together the key players in one
New National Partnership to fight POTHOLES #nationalpotholeday BMF News 15 January 202415 January 2024 BMF joins new National Partnership between Road User organisations, including the National Motorcyclists Council, and the road repair industry to press Government and Local Authorities to deliver effective and permanent road repairs through a comprehensive 5-Point Plan launched today on "National Pothole Day." Paul Morgan CBE, Government Relations Executive, British Motorcyclists Federation said: “Potholes and other road surface related defects are extremely dangerous for motorcyclists and the top concern for BMF members. Action is needed now to urgently clear the backlog of repairs and address the appalling state of UK roads. We call on Government to front-load the £8.3billion funding that has recently been announced for road repairs and to prioritise the necessary work to make the UK road network safe
Help STOP Camden bike charges! BMF News 12 January 2024 Help STOP Camden bike charges! Camden Council have brought forward new proposals for motorcycle parking charges. We need YOU to help stop the charges! This might not directly affect you, but if we don't fight parking charges wherever they appear they will spread, including to your local area. Please sign and share the petition from our friends at Save London Motorcycling against the charges. It should only take 30 seconds of your time! Find out more and sign the petition against the plans at... savelondonmc.com/camden/petition Camden tried to bring in motorcycle parking charges 2020. It was a petition just like this that stopped them, with your help we can stop them again! A quick reminder of Camden’s plans: parking permits for residents', businesses' and doctors' motorcycles the same
Motorcycles for work journeys – help needed! BMF News 4 January 20244 January 2024 As part of our continuing campaign looking into reports of motorcycles being banned for work journeys and issues with insurance, we need your help. If you work for a company, or an organisation based in the UK, whether you ride a motorcycle for work or not, please help us collect vital information by completing this short online survey HERE. It’s totally anonymous and only takes 2 minutes to complete. Please get your responses in by Monday the 22nd of January. Top images courtesy of Alex Parsons-Hulse
BMF to attend annual MCIA Conference BMF News 3 January 20243 January 2024 The BMF’s new government relations executive, Paul Morgan is set to attend the Motorcycle Industry Association's (MCIA) conference for the first time this year. The annual event is an important one for the BMF and is set to be attended by over 150 MCIA members, including major manufacturers, as well as government stakeholders and representatives from local authorities. The outline agenda for the event splits the day into morning and afternoon sessions with presentations form keynote speakers, followed by panel discussions and Q&A. Amongst the speakers, Alfie Brierley, the MCIA’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs will give an update on current MCIA Campaigns and the MCIA’s CEO Tony Campbell will provide a UK market review and a look at what to expect
New Year Message from the chair BMF News 1 January 202412 December 2023 Looking good for 2024? We certainly are, this is an exciting time for motorcyclists, with technical development streaking into the future. The redefining of what a motorcycle is and the expectations of what a motorbike actually means are happening all around us. Only this week Honda, synonymous with ‘motorcycle’ for many people, have announced a wide range of electric bikes and a significant plan for Internal Combustion Engine bikes, with investment to match. The BMF are expanding in membership, still the Number One in representing riders of all types of bikes , without exception. The BMF has always been a big umbrella to protect riders of mopeds, off roaders, and big road bikes, without distinction. If you ride a bike, we don’t
Motorcycles banned at Whitby Railway Station – UPDATED BMF News 11 December 202317 January 2024 The BMF is alarmed to hear the news of a surprise ban on motorcycles that has been imposed at Whitby railway station in North Yorkshire by its owners Northern Rail. The station is the location of a well-known biker café, the Whistlestop that has been welcoming bikers to share its fabulous food and hospitality for many years. The café owners have expressed their shock and frustration at the news and fear the impact that this will have on their business. Bikers travel from far and wide to visit the café. Many have been quick to express their anger at the decision and the impact it will have on the biking community. There is a regular well attended bike night held