Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels Consultation BMF News 26 July 2024 Do you live or travel to London? Then you need to be aware that Transport for London (TfL) has launched a consultation on a proposed "toll" to use the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels to be introduced in spring 2025, that includes a plan to also charge motorcycles using the tunnels. The current proposed charges are set out below. The fee will be the same for both tunnels, but they will vary in peak and off-peak times. As they currently stand, the plans will see motorcycles being charged a slightly reduced price to car and vans during peak times but the same as cars at off-peak time There is no justification for this. TfL say they must bring in charges to ‘manage
Camden Parking Charges – Update BMF News 26 July 2024 Save London Motorcycling has issued a "Press Release Update" regarding the proposals by Camden Council to introduce new parking charges for motorcycles in Camden (You can Read the Save London Motorcycling Press Release Here) Following opposition from riders and rider organisations, including the BMF, National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) and Save London Motorcycling, to the proposed implementation of new parking charges for motorcycles across Camden, the Council has now delayed the statutory consultation on the proposals for motorcycle parking fees until late autumn, whilst pressing ahead with their proposals for cars and other vehicles. This is a significant climb down by Camden Council but the threat to motorcyclists remains. If you live or work in Camden we need riders to email their MP
Bath and North East Somerset Parking Charges BMF News 26 July 202426 July 2024 The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) has joined forces with the Motorcyclists Action Group (MAG) to fight illogical and ill-conceived proposals by the local Council to introduce emission-based parking charges for motorcycles across Bath and North East Somerset. The BMF is working closely with MAG and other interested parties, including the National Motorcyclist's Council (NMC), to fight proposals by the council that will see small mopeds charged the same to park as the average family car and motorcycles over 600cc charged the same parking fee as a 3 litre straight-six diesel Range Rover. BMF's Regional Representative Carenza Ellery has joined up with her MAG regional counterpart, Geoff Mills to put together a joint campaign to fight the proposed changes which are illogical and
BMF response to Bikes in Bus Lanes consultation BMF News 19 July 202425 July 2024 The BMF has called on the Government to end the current inconsistent, fragmented and confusing situation on bus lane access for motorcyclists across the UK. Paul Morgan CBE, the BMF's Government Relations Executive said: "The BMF has today submitted its detailed response to the Department for Transport's Open Consultation "Motorcycles in Bus Lanes" calling on the Government to grant default access for motorcycles to bus lanes and resolve the current inconsistent and fragmented approach by local authorities that is impacting on the safety of motorcyclists and other road users. You can read the BMF's response here You can read previous BMF news articles in relation to this here and here Written by Helen Hancock Top image courtesy of Sophie Popplewell – Unsplash
BMF Get Together at The Lakeside Diner BMF News 18 July 202425 July 2024 BMF Get Together at The Lakeside Diner at Mallory Park Racing Circuit, Leicestershire. Come along and have a meet up in the centre of Mallory Park circuit! Whether you're a BMF member or not, we invite you to ride in and park up centre circuit, meet up and chat with fellow bikers. A place to make friends and talk all things bikes in a fabulous location. Great food and drink will be provided by our co-hosts at The Lakeside Diner and Bar. Everyone welcome: on bikes, trikes, scooters, cars or on foot! Come along and have a chilled out evening lakeside. Mallory Park Circuit Church Road Kirkby Mallory LEICESTER LE9 7QE What 3 Words ///sharpens.respects.exulted Friday 19th July 6 - 9pm Friday 23rd August 6 - 9pm Friday 20th Sept 6 - 9pm More information
Thirlmere West Road in Cumbria re-opens BMF News 5 July 20245 July 2024 THIRLMERE WEST ROAD IN CUMBRIA RE-OPENS FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL LOBBYING BY THE BRITISH MOTORCYCLISTS FEDERATION Back in September 2023 the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) submitted a robust response objecting to proposals by Cumberland Council to introduce a permanent Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to permanently close the U7003 road along the western shore of Thirlmere. The road had been "temporarily" closed by the Council since 2021 following Storm Arwen ostensibly to carry out urgent safety repairs. However, during that time the Council had failed to reach agreement with the landowner United Utilities on the necessary repairs required or a timescale for the reopening of the road. The prolonged closure of Thirlmere West Road had resulted in motorcyclists and other road users being effectively
BMF calls on Labour to take action for future of UK motorcycling BMF News 5 July 20245 July 2024 Election of a new Labour Government presents a real opportunity to deliver ambitious and sustainable action to secure the future of UK motorcycling. The BMF and its partners have today congratulated the Labour Party on their election victory and look forward to working with the new Government to deliver the priorities for motorcycling set out in the NMC/BMF manifesto "Motorcycling Matters" Paul Morgan CBE, BMF's Government Relations Executive said " The BMF looks forward to working closely with new Ministers to deliver a comprehensive strategy for motorcycling; one that will deliver a bright and sustainable future for the motorcycling sector with motorcycling front and centre of the UK's future transport policy ." You can read today's National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) Press Release here. Top image
Keep Historic Bikes Alive BMF News 19 June 2024 Motorcycling Matters No7: Keep Historic Bikes Alive Triumph, BSA, Norton, Velocette... Britain has a proud motorcycling heritage, now added to by Japanese and European machines over 40 years old, equally part of the UK motorcycle scene. The NMC/BMF manifesto Motorcycling Matters urges that the historic motorcycle sector should be recognised for its economic contribution (xxxx) as well as the positive social engagement and mental health benefits to thousands of riders all over the UK. Over 400,000 historic motorcycles are registered in the UK, giving their owners hours of fun and contributing to a healthy ‘old bike’ sector with specialist companies in spare parts, restoration work and archive services. For the long-term health of the historic bike sector, there should be no time
Celebrate Motorcycle Sport BMF News 19 June 2024 Motorcycling Matters No 6: Celebrate Motorcycle Sport British motorcycle sport is a diverse and vibrant sector which needs to be encouraged, supported and celebrated. In Motorcycling Matters, the motorcycle manifesto put forward by the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) with help from the BMF, there’s a call for greater recognition of this widespread sector, which contributes £1 billion to the UK economy. Home to some world class racing teams, the UK also has a very strong grassroots motorcycle sport scene, on-road and off. Trials, enduro, grass track and sand racing; club racing on some of the world’s best-known circuits, plus road trails and road racing. From professional teams at the cutting edge of race technology, to the thousands of bikers who ride in
Access All Areas BMF News 13 June 202413 June 2024 Motorcycling Matters No 5: Access All Areas Motorcycles must have an ‘Access All Areas’ pass to UK roads, whether these are tarmac, unsealed ‘green roads’ or bus lanes. That’s the fifth key point raised by Motorcycling Matters, the manifesto launched the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) with significant input from the BMF. The BMF and NMC are clear that unsealed roads which are currently legal for vehicle access need to be kept open for motorcycles. As for bus lane access for bikes, the policy of local authorities varies across the UK, with some allowing full access, some at restricted times and some refusing it altogether. The BMF/NMC are calling for motorcycle access to bus lanes to be made the default position across the
A Technology Neutral Approach to Decarbonisation BMF News 13 June 202413 June 2024 Motorcycling Matters No 4: A Technology Neutral Approach to Decarbonisation The BMF and National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) are calling for a pragmatic approach to the decarbonisation of powered two-wheelers. Whilst accepting the need to reach net zero in all areas of society, both organisations say that the path taken for two-wheelers must be proportionate and realistic, adding that petrol-powered motorcycles and scooters make up only 0.46% of the UK’s total domestic transport emissions. The transition of motorcycles to electric power is lagging behind that of cars, and needs extra time to catch up, with a clear and realistic deadline for the end of sales of new petrol-powered motorcycles. The BMF and NMC are also calling on all political parties to embrace a
Make Roads Safe for Motorcyclists BMF News 7 June 202413 June 2024 Motorcycling Matters No 3: Make Roads Safe for Motorcyclists UK roads urgently need to be made safer for motorcyclists – that’s the third key issue highlighted in Motorcycling Matters, the manifesto launched by the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) on 17th May, with significant input from the BMF. The manifesto calls for rapid changes to roads infrastructure and a genuine attempt to tackle potholes. Current roads infrastructure guidelines do not take sufficient account of motorcycle safety and need urgent updating. Smart Motorways which were rolled out without enough regard for safety issues, are just one example – the BMF welcomes the Government’s decision to cancel any further roll out. Road surfaces need attention too, with poor maintenance leading to a rash of potholes which