BUS LANES – Don’t miss out. Your voice needs to be heard! BMF News 13 May 202416 May 2024 The current Government Consultation on allowing default access for all motorcycles to bus lanes is closing on the 9 June 2024. The consultation published on 17 March 2024 and closing on 9 June 2024 concerns making access to bus lanes for motorcycles the default position for all Local Authorities. Access for motorcycles at present is neither universal nor consistent across Local Authority boundaries creating confusion for riders and other road users which impacts on the overall safety of riders. We are calling for default access for motorcyclists to all bus lanes. See the BMF Position Paper Motorcycles in Bus Lanes, which sets out the benefits that will derive from default access being granted. Don't miss out. Your voice needs to be heard. A link
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 202414 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 Net 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
Crawler Motorcycle to Launch in Latvia Other news 20 April 202416 May 2024 Ever wondered what a motorcycle with caterpillar tracks might be like to ride? You might get your chance in 2025, as Latvian company Oruga is developing just such a beast, designed to replace the typical quad bike with a motorcycle which can tackle the worst rough terrain. The Oruga Unitrack is described as, “the world’s first all-terrain electric monotrack vehicle for use in a variety of terrains, seasons and operations.” Previous attempts at an all-terrain utility bike have included the Rokon (two-wheel drive) and the EcoRider (big balloon tyres). The Unitrack has its two wheels mounted inside a crawler track to spread its weight over a wider area – it also has a third idler wheel mounted higher up at the
Bajaj Working on CNG Motorcycle Other news 18 April 202416 May 2024 Indian giant Bajaj, which builds Triumph’s Speed 400, will soon launch a motorcycle powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), according to a report by Cycle World magazine. Two concepts are currently being developed, one of which should be on sale on the Indian home market in June. Bajaj has form with CNG vehicles, being a well-established maker of CNG-powered autorickshaws, increasingly favoured in Indian cities thanks to their lower emissions. CNG is a fossil fuel, but emits fewer emissions than equivalent petrol or diesel engines. It’s also a cheaper fuel, and is more widely available in India than in many other countries. The downside of CNG is that it’s less dense than petrol or diesel, so needs a bigger tank, which must
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
New Pothole Repair Cash Allocated BMF News 15 April 202416 May 2024 Could “the scourge of potholes” (as described by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak) be finally on its way out? Last November, the government announced that £8.3 billion would be handed out to local authorities over the next 11 years so that they could start fixing Britain’s battered roads. Funds for this pothole dividend were said to have resulted from the axing of part of the HS2 high speed rail project. Only £150 million has so far been transferred, but nearly all local authorities (102 out of 119 allocated funding) have now submitted plans of what they will do with the money. The West and East Midlands, which will be receiving £2.2 billion over the 11 years, say they will be repairing 600,000
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
Electric Bike Completes Lands End Trial Other news 6 April 202416 May 2024 An electric bike has entered the Lands End Trial for the first time – and finished. Engineer Fred Spaven, riding his home built Royal Enfield-based machine, made it to the finish without any problems. “I’ve been working on this project for two years,” said Fred, who has previously ridden an electric Enfield from Lands End to John o’ Groats and is currently studying for a PhD in electric motorcycle technology. “I chose the Lands End Trial because although it’s over 300 miles, the road sections are relatively low speed, so it suits an electric bike. I knew the electric Enfield would be controllable off-road, thanks to its low speed power delivery.” The Lands End Trial, one of the UK’s oldest