Riders and manufacturers agree on historic joint motorcycling manifesto FEMA News 7 May 20247 May 2024 The main organisations representing both the riders and the motorcycle industry (ACEM, FEMA, FIM) jointly celebrate the Day of Europe by launching a manifesto addressed to European leaders, ahead of the European elections. We call on the European Institutions to actively incorporate motorcycling into the policy priorities for the 2024-2029 political mandate that will kick off with the coming European elections on 5-9 June. Our sector positively contributes to the European economy, social inclusion and territorial cohesion with around €21.4 billion to European GDP and 389.000 jobs. Only in Europe, there are almost 40 million motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles and quadricycles to support a clean, efficient, practical and enjoyable alternative for moving people and goods in cities and rural areas. Motorcycling fully aligns with
BMF have responded to the DfT Consultation BMF News 1 May 20241 May 2024 The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) has responded to Government proposals to increase the legal power of e-bikes; opposing the proposals and commenting that rather than the piecemeal approach proposed, any changes to the power capacity of e-bikes should be considered as part of a wider and comprehensive regulatory review into ultra light electric Powered Two Wheelers (PTW) and micromobility regulations. The BMF has responded to the DfT 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
The NMC has responded to the DfT Consultation Smarter Regulation on EAPC NMC News 1 May 2024 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,
BMF Get Together at The Lakeside BMF News 30 April 20243 May 2024 Friday 19th April saw the inaugural BMF Get Together at The Lakeside, held in the centre of the circuit at Mallory Park, Leicestershire. Despite the torrential rain and high winds for most of the day, as late afternoon approached the weather finally calmed and the sun even made a brief appearance during the evening! Over 70 bikes and a dozen cars joined us at the BMF HQ location for an evening of good food, drinks, great live music and a good old natter about bikes! BMF Staff, Helen and Nat were supported by a crew of volunteer marshals and all proved worth their weight in gold, all enthusiastically took to their new roles with big smiles. Food and drinks were served in the Lakeside
Insurance premiums continue to rise… BMF News 25 April 202425 April 2024 Motorcyclists feel the pinch as insurance premiums continue to rise A rise in insurance premiums across the motor industry, which has seen the overall cost of motor insurance increase by 43% over the past 12 months, is posing a real challenge for motorcyclists and car drivers alike as insurers hike their prices higher in the face of rising repair costs, higher wage bills and the continuing high level of motor thefts, in part driven by the ongoing cost of living crisis with a clear link between the cost of living crisis and a corresponding increase in crime rates. Motorcycles thefts across the UK remain disproportionately high. 2023 saw 23,963 total bike thefts which was only slightly down on 2022 figures. The
New partnership with Fletchers Solicitors BMF News 17 April 2024 Fletchers Solicitors provide BMF members with dedicated legal line. We have entered into a partnership with Fletchers Solicitors and the firm will now be providing a legal line available to all of BMF members. Fletchers is a Top 100 law firm who are recognised as leaders in the field by the independent legal directories such as Legal 500 & Chambers and Partners. BMF members receive special rates from the firm. Having a specialist team on your side if you have had an accident can make all the difference. Fletchers Solicitors has a strong heritage of working with motorcyclists, motorcycle groups and organisations, and the new legal line will ensure more motorcyclists have access to the assistance they need when they need it most. If
BMF supports the AA’s “Think Bikes” Campaign BMF News 8 April 20248 April 2024 On the 10th anniversary of the original campaign, the AA's message remains as relevant as ever with 350 motorcyclists and 91 cyclists alone killed on UK roads in 2022. It is important that we continue to increase motorists' awareness of those on 2 wheels to reduce the continuing high number of collisions and fatalities caused by a failure to see them on time. Government road traffic statistics show that cycles and motorcycles make up just 2.75% of miles travelled compared to cars but account for more than one quarter of road deaths. This is completely unacceptable and highlights the importance for all drivers to look out for vulnerable road users and to always think bikes when out on the road. 10th
Cadwell Top Trackday Venue, but Overall Bookings Down Other news 31 March 20242 April 2024 Cadwell Park is the favourite venue for track day riders, according to a survey by Trackdays.co.uk. It’s the second year running Cadwell has topped the track list, accounting for one in five track day bookings in the last 12 months. It was closely followed by Snetterton (17% of bookings), Donington Park (14%) and Brands Hatch (13%). Silverstone, Lydden Hill and Croft were less popular, scoring 2% apiece. The survey analysed 1600 bookings from a number of leading trackday suppliers across the UK. So, good news for Cadwell, but the survey also found that track days in general are being hit by the cost of living, with spending down by a third as riders prioritise their spending. Dan Jones, operations manager of
Welsh Byway Plans Raise Hackles Other news 30 March 20242 April 2024 Powys Council has raised a storm with plans to resurface a section of track over the Cambrian Mountains which would benefit trail riders and mountain bikers. Monks Trod is a BOAT (Byway Open to All Traffic), which makes it legal for motorised vehicles, unless the local authority puts a restriction in place. Because some of the five-mile byway is over boggy, easily damaged ground, the Council closed it to four-wheeled vehicles in 1990 via a TRO (Traffic Regulation Order), which was extended to bikes in 2002 – in 2021, it was reopened to two-wheelers only. Now Powys Council plans to resurface a section of Monks Trod, raising a storm of protest from Powys Local Access Forum, amongst others, which maintains that
Norton Victims to get Compensation Other news 28 March 20242 April 2024 After more than ten years, Norton investors who thought they had lost their life savings will be compensated – £9.4 million will be paid out by the Fraud Compensation Scheme. It’s been a long wait for more than 200 people who in 2012 and 2013 transferred money from their existing retirement plans into three Norton pension schemes set up by Stuart Garner – Dominator 2012, Commando 2012 and Donington MC – of which he was the sole trustee. Unfortunately, the funds vanished, being invested directly into Norton itself when the company’s well publicised revival hit financial problems. Despite receiving information about the missing money during 2013, it wasn’t until 2017 that the Pensions Regulator began to investigate. Norton went bust in
New Ducati Option Aids Wheelies Other news 24 March 20242 April 2024 Ducati has announced a wheelie-assist option on the Hypermotard 698 Mono which uses existing electronics to keep that front wheel in the air, rather than on the tarmac. Wheelie control systems aren’t new and the current generation make use of a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) which measures a bike’s roll, pitch and yaw, plus sensors for engine speed, wheel speeds and several other factors to detect when a wheelie is about to start, and limiting torque momentarily to keep the front wheel on the ground. The standard Hypermoto has four levels of wheelie control, with level 1 allowing the front wheel up before intervening and level 4 keeping it on tarmac at all times. Now there’s a new option which
Glow in the Dark Road Markings On the Way? Other news 21 March 20243 April 2024 We’ve all been there, even on modern bikes with relatively good lights – a dark, wet road at night with oncoming headlights can be a nightmare of poor vision. But now an Australian engineering firm reckons it may have the answer – glow in the dark white lines. Tarmac Linemarking of Victoria has developed photoluminescent paint which absorbs UV light during the day, enabling it to emit light after dark. There’s nothing new about the idea, which has been used for watch hands and children's’ toys for years, but this is thought to be the first time it has been applied to road markings. Special phosphors in the paint absorb invisible UV light during the day, which cause it to glow,