Thanks for your input and here’s an update... In August of last year some of you may remember taking part in an online survey about motorcycle commuting. If you did then many thanks for helping me out and contributing to my research. BMF article here. If you didn’t then don’t worry, hopefully this article sharing some of the outcomes of that research will still be of interest. Many research projects have looked into the benefits of travelling by motorcycle. Some look at the environmental benefits of this mode of transport in comparison to the car, whilst others focus on benefits associated with mental health and wellbeing. One of the most frequently quoted studies is from 2011 and is commonly referred to as

While many in the UK are focused on the expansion of London’s ULEZ, now set to go ahead on 29th August, riders heading for France this summer may need to buy a Crit’Air sticker to display on their bike. They’ll need one to visit a whole list of cities, including Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse as well as Paris. The screen stickers aren’t expensive (only £3.65, and they last the life of the vehicle) but failure to display one could lead to a fine of £150, which is projected to increase to £600 next year. Coming in six colours, they apply to all motorised vehicles, from mopeds to HGVs, and class each one according to its emissions – the idea is to keep

The BMF Management Team and the BMF Council have jointly voted to leave Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA). This is how we got to make that decision. The Past For 40 years the BMF took the view that the main place for UK lobbying to be effective was in the EU. This was because most legislation that affected UK riders was formulated there. Both UK rider groups took that view, which is why we created FEMA, whose common language is English and whose Constitution is derived from the BMF’s, written by two BMF representatives to FEMA. The BMF continued to take this view, with statements to the FEMA Board to that effect, until Brexit. The BMF deliberately avoided any internal discussion of

Exciting new rally venue for 2023 - Muncaster Castle   September 8th to 10th 2023 We are keeping the laid back style for this rally, with a slight festival feel twist to it! There will be live music, fantastic food, a rally bar, traders, all in an amazing venue steeped in history and not to forget it's an excellent ride-out location to explore the fabulous Cumbrian countryside.   Why The Lucky Cup Rally?  - we decided to recognise the history and the tale of the drinking bowl left by Henry VI. THE LUCK of MUNCASTER In 1464 Sir John Pennington gave shelter to Henry VI, wandering after the Battle of Hexham. Many years later in 1783, John, Lord Muncaster erected the tower known as

BMF Member and North East Regional Rep presents latest research into motorcycle commuting at international conference in Colorado Springs USA. Motorcycles and other forms of powered two-wheelers could play an important part in a more sustainable integrated transport system. BMF member Alex Parsons-Hulse will present the findings of his latest research into the barriers to commuting by motorcycle at the 10th Annual International Journal of Motorcycle Studies Conference which takes place between the 21st and 23rd of July this year at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, USA. Some members may recall taking part in this research last year when they were kind enough to respond to an online questionnaire posted on the BMF website (previous BMF article here). In fact over

The BMF has submitted a response to the consultation on the revised National Networks National Policy Statement (NNNPS) NNNPS??...What's that? Guidance on evaluating major projects on the road and rail networks. Anna Zee,BMF political & Technical Services Director says " I did not feel that we were really qualified to answer the questions actually posed in the consultation, but having actually taken the trouble to read it I discovered that it contained absolutely no reference to motorcycling. It did manage to list 3 forms of 'active travel', it even mentioned horse riding but not motorcycles. This was a point I raised at the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) meeting with Minister Richard Holden last month and that's what the BMF response is about." You

Anna Zee, BMF Political & Technical Services Director, attended the recent ministerial meeting along other members of The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) with Richard Holden MP - Transport Department Anna said "I think this was a good meeting. Minster Richard Holden MP was very ready to listen also to admit there were things he didn’t know about. The main points I wanted to make on the BMF’s behalf were on inclusion of motorcycling at all transport policy levels and that motorcycles must be considered when evaluating automated and autonomous driving systems and I think he took those on board as well as the issues raised by other NMC members. The issue of CBT improvements that have been stalled since before the

Team Classic Suzuki will field Shaun Anderson at this year’s Isle of Man TT, equipping him with GSX-R1000 machinery for the RST Superbike, RL360, and Milwaukee Senior TT races. Though more commonly associated with the classic racing scene – including on the Isle of Man, where the team has tasted victory with Michael Dunlop – it is not Team Classic Suzuki’s first appearance at the TT. A debut appearance at the 2022 event ended with a best finish of 24th coming courtesy of Forest Dunn in the Superbike race. Anderson joins the team with 37 starts under his belt, with 15 top-20 finishes to his name. The Northern Irishman also boasts ample experience on Suzuki machinery; his fastest ever lap of the

MEPs have voted to end the sale of new fossil-fuelled cars and vans in 2035, with a requirement that they be 55% zero emission by 2030. The Brussels MPs passed the measure, which was first mooted in October 2021, by 340 votes to 279. Recognising that the transition will be tougher for smaller companies, niche manufacturers making less than 10,000 vehicles annually will have an extra year to make the transition to 100% zero emission. This latest vote puts the EU on a longer timescale than the UK, which has set 2030 as the end date for new petrol/diesel sales, though some hybrids will still be on sale up to 2035. But what about motorcycles? There is no mention of them

FREE Region 2 - Yorkshire and North East - Rider Development BMF Blue Riband Taster Day – Saturday the 15th of April 2023 Have you ever thought of increasing your enjoyment of motorcycling by developing your riding skills further? The BMF Blue Riband Rider Award Development programme aims to do just that by helping you to improve your observation, planning and control, giving you greater confidence and helping you to become a safer rider. This free to attend taster day will give you the opportunity to explore that journey and find out how you could benefit from the knowledge and experience of our friendly and supportive rider coaches. After a short briefing you will be able to benefit from a 45 minute

The Annual General Meeting of  the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) was held at General European Union Road Federation (ERF), Rue de Belliard, Brussels 1040, and online, via Teams, on Saturday 11th February 2023. The meeting was chaired by Anna Zee, President, also Director of Political and Technical services, of the BMF. The attendees, 27 from 18 National Motorcycle organisations (NMO), including 7 online, both inside and outside of the EU, with apologies from a further 3 NMOs, and 2 partner organisations, approved the agenda, and the minutes of the October ’22 meeting, held in Koln. A financial report from FEMA Treasurer and  BMF chair, Jim Freeman, reported an operating loss of 1,225 euros, against a projected loss of 1,018 forecast in

‘End of sale dates’ for motorcycles a ‘stretching goal’ says Transport Minister, but we must ‘match ambition’ of cars and vans. There will be an end to the sale for new non-zero emission motorcycles, according to Jesse Norman, Minister of State for Transport Decarbonisation and Technology. He acknowledged that some motorcycles ‘may need longer to make that transition’ and talked positively about their diversity and place in the transport mix, from touring to deliveries. However, he was firm in the government’s plans for cutting carbon in this sector, calling it a ‘revolution’. In a pre-recorded speech to the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) annual conference it was clear from the mention of a ‘reduction in air and noise pollution’ that the government’s