Government moves to clarify rules for when riders need to notify DVLA of any changes to their motorcycles The Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) has today (26th August) issued new guidance to some of its vehicle registration policies, making the rules around the notification of modifications to already registered motorcycles old and new more straightforward. These changes follow a call for evidence which National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) member, the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) responded to with the support of the NMC. Organisations in the four-wheeled historic vehicle sector also responded. As a result, the DVLA is replacing its existing policies on rebuilt and radically altered vehicles with three new sets of guidance that will apply to all vehicles, regardless of

Pothole Partnership Raise Fresh Concerns as Summer Heat Fuels Pothole Problem The Partnership calls for urgent action amid rising incidents - A shock increase in pothole-related breakdowns attended by the AA last month has raised concerns for summer motorcycling Motorcyclists face an even bumpier ride this summer, according to The Pothole Partnership. July’s AA Pothole Index reveals a clear spike in incidents the AA was called out to caused by potholes, compared to the same period last year. While earlier in the year callouts for pothole damage to members’ cars had reduced, offering hope that the UK was turning a corner, the latest figures signal an unwelcome reversal, with a 2% rise over July 2024 figures (50,091 incidents compared to 49,081). Earlier optimism was

Road Safety Strategy must have a strong focus on reducing motorcycle rider vulnerability Responding to reports in the Times, followed by the BBC and other media outlets about the Government’s plans for the forthcoming Road Safety Strategy, the NMC this morning has underlined the need for the new Strategy to have a clear focus on improving motorcycle safety though greater policy recognition for motorcycling and road safety support for motorcyclists as vulnerable road users. NMC Executive Director Craig Carey-Clinch said: “We welcome news that the Government’s long overdue Road Safety Strategy is finally progressing, particularly as the overall level of road casualties has not significantly changed since 2013. However, the strategy must have a strong focus on supporting safety improvements for motorcycling.

The Government’s announcement for a renewed Electric Car Grant puts focus on the need to boost and increase the scope of the current electric motorcycle grant In response to the Government’s announcement of a new Electric Car Grant, the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) is today calling on the Government to both renew the Grant when it comes up for review early next year and to increase the level and scope of support that it provides for buyers of alternative propulsion motorcycles. The current motorcycle grant was launched in 2016 to help ‘bridge the price gap between the cost of zero emission and petrol motorcycles’. Originally, the grant was 20% of the cost of an electric motorcycle up to a maximum of £1,500. But

Pothole Repair Funding Welcomed, but Government Urged to go Further on Motorcycle Safety. The Department for Transport has today announced further details of fundingto fix potholes across England. Local authorities will be allocated a share of around £1.6billion funding to be used to repair the roads most need of repair, with amounts of up to £500million expected to be awarded. The Government is also requiring local authorities to collect the correct data on pothole related issues and to improve maintenance before potholes start to form. This is in line with calls from the Pothole Partnership  which demanded more transparency, plus better reporting and standards as part of the solution to roads maintenance issues. The funding also has built-in incentives, with 25% of this uplift held

National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) responds to the Parliamentary Accounts Committee’s Call For Evidence on the State of the Road Network The NMC has forwarded written evidence to the Parliamentary Accounts Committee highlighting the dire condition of England’s road network and calling for an effective government strategy, supported by adequate funding, to urgently resolve the current situation. NMC Chair and BMF Political and Technical Services Director, Anna Zee, said: “ The current state of the UK’s road network is a disgrace, with many roads in an unacceptable and dangerous state through lack of sufficient investment over a number of years. The scourge of potholes, in particular, represents a real danger to motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users and needs to be fixed urgently through

All riders are asked to take part in the campaign and contact their election candidates The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) has today launched an important campaign which aims to put motorcycling on the map in parliamentary constituencies in advance of the General Election. A ‘Motorcycling Matters’ manifesto and campaign website has been created by the NMC’s members, which sets out in simple terms what motorcyclists need the post-election Government to deliver for motorcycling. It presents a manifesto for a positive vision for the future of transport and the role of motorcycling within this. There are seven key themes: 1. Transport Choice: Bringing motorcycling into the mainstream of transport policy 2. The introduction of improved and simplified licensing, training and testing 3. Safer roads for riding,

Proposals to increase the legal power of eBikes should be considered as part of a wider regulatory review into ultra light electric Powered Two Wheelers (PTW) and micromobility regulations. The National Motorcyclists Council has responded to the Department for Transport Consultation Smarter Regulation: Proposed Changes to the Regulations on Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC). The Government has proposed to amend the legal definition of how EAPCs are classified so that the maximum continuous rated power of the electric motor must not exceed 500 watts instead of 250 watts as set out in the current regulations. The NMC is not opposed to the evolution of eBike regulations if these are carefully considered and we envisage positives which could result from what is being proposed,

Consultation issued after work by NMC and its member organisations to bring clarity to the current patchwork of access The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) has strongly welcomed a new consultation by the Department for Transport (DfT) which seeks views on making motorcycle access to bus lanes a default position in regulations in England. In his introduction to the consultation, Transport Minister Guy Opperman MP said “Motorcycles are an important but sometimes overlooked mode of transport, not just by drivers who fail to spot bikers, but occasionally by government too. Their size and nature make them a dynamic and affordable option for road users, and with that it’s only right that our roads become as dynamic as those using them.” Mr Opperman’s remarks